Running across the court, I leapt in the air, caught the ball and passed it on to my teammate. ‘Great goal,’ I cheered, as her shot swished through the net.
It was November 2018 and, aged 30, an evening playing netball was one of my favourite pastimes. With training and matches I was on the court at least four times a week and when I wasn’t wearing my netball bib I was playing tennis or doing martial arts. I’d never been one for sweating it out in a gym but team sport kept me in great shape.
At 5ft 1in, I’d weighed 10st 9lb most of my adult life and comfortably fit into a size 8. At home, my partner Leon, then 30, and I didn’t eat badly – the occasional takeaway or chocolate treat, but otherwise, my diet was balanced, and whatever I did eat
I soon burnt off with exercise. Then, in November 2020, Leon and I were thrilled when I fell pregnant. I gained 1st 7lb as our baby grew inside me but I felt great and loved seeing my bump blossom.
Our daughter Xanthe was born in June 2021 via caesarean, weighing 4lb 15oz. After, I breastfed at home and I made sure to keep myself refuelled and energised. But cooking healthy meals was hard with a newborn and soon I was polishing off entire packets of custard creams in one sitting or scoffing share-size packets of crisps.
This story is from the January 08, 2024 edition of WOMAN'S OWN.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the January 08, 2024 edition of WOMAN'S OWN.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Is it ever OK to lie about your age?
Kaye Adams has done it, and even Mel B jokes that she doesn't believe friend Geri Horner is 51. We ask...
‘I DIDN'T THINK.I'D SEE MUM AGAIN'int ICAT AFAR
MelB on rebuilding her life rebuilding her life after her abusive’ marriage
8 WAYS TO BECOME A MORNING PERSON
Improve body and mind with just a few simple tweaks to your daily routine
WHY YOU NEVER FORGET YOUR FIRST LOVE
(laire Dore, 50, learnt a lot from her first serious relationship
WHAT'S THE NAKED ATTRACTION ?
After a host of celebrities admitted to stripping off behind closed doors, Natalie Brown, 43, decided to bare all to find out just what all the fuss was about
MY FURY AT BEING A GRAN AT 52
Shona Sibary was far from excited when her eldest daughter welcomed her first child
A YEAR IN THE MAKING
Many of us shy away from drastic change but for these three women, it was just what they needed
I LOST 6ST AND FOUND THE REAL ME!
Shay Al-Ajami May, 32, was fed up pretending to be happy, so she decided to make it a reality
WHAT DO YOUR FEET SAY ABOUT YOUR HEALTH?
From heart disease to arthritis, here’s what they might be trying to tell you…
HOW CAN WE HELP OUR CHILDREN?
With more young people facing mental-health crises, we investigate what needs to be done