The 1:1 Diet Social Hero Award Winner 2019
“I have always had a problem with my weight. As a baby I had a series of health scares and life-threatening illnesses, including my left lung collapsing. I also had pneumonia on multiple occasions, had to be resuscitated at least four times and we always had to have oxygen and a nebuliser in the home.
“I was given extremely strong courses of steroids until I was 13 and, as a consequence, I put on a lot of weight.
“As much as my mother and brother tried to ensure I had a normal and happy upbringing, I was constantly made aware I was 'different' by being heavy.
“Running laps in PE in front of scoffing and laughing people always had me in tears. The humiliation of having to specially order my school uniform and being too embarrassed to go to the doctors when ill used to make me depressed. The worst part of it was hearing my mum crying, thinking she was a bad mum, when the truth was she is and was the best.
“I always tried to do something about my weight but never found the plan or ideology that worked for me. That was until July 21, 2018, when I began The 1:1 Diet by Cambridge Weight Plan after seeing how well my mum was doing on it.
“I met her Consultant, Vicky McGlone. She made me feel so comfortable and at ease, I decided to go for it.
“I was 18, finishing sixth form and about to begin my degree at the University of Manchester. I was also 30 stone and had a BMI of 58.4!
“I have to admit it was initially tough adapting my lifestyle to the ethos of the Plan, but I was determined to copy my incredible mother and her achievements.
“Once I had become accustomed to the Plan, it all clicked into place and my life was changed forever.
“Now I have completed year one of my degree, having been predicted a first. As well as being 15st 2lbs lighter, I have also lost an amazing 80 inches! Not only that, but I am no longer at risk of diabetes, take any medication or use a nebuliser.
“I cannot begin to tell you how much The 1:1 Diet has changed my life. I am more gregarious than I used to be and have a new-found confidence and spring in my step. I am also committed to The 1:1 Diet and continue to live my life by it.
“I might be determined, I might be tenacious and motivated to succeed, but I am also just like thousands of young people in this country. I can think of no better way of repaying my gratitude than by showing by example just what is possible to people my age.”