'I lost 12 stone after being ‘humiliated’ on a flight'
A mum who was left feeling devastated after being fat-shamed on flight has revealed how it kickstarted a 12st weight loss journey.
Jennifer Louise, 42, from Bedfordshire was travelling back from Lanzarote in May 2023 when a comment from a cabin steward left her feeling "humiliated" and "ashamed".
Preparing for landing, the flight attendant insisted that Louise's armrest had to be down and told her weight was "all about life choices".
At the time she weighed 24st and wore a dress size 26, having spent years yo-yo dieting and struggling with portion control.
On her return from holiday she decided to cut down on carbs and processed sugar in a bid to overhaul her diet.
She also took up walking and her new health and fitness regime meant she lost an incredible 12st, more than half her body weight.
She now weighs 12st 2lbs and is a trim size 14.
Speaking about the moment she vowed to overhaul her lifestyle the mum-of-one, who is now a writer, says: "I've been overweight most of my adult life, so I was used to strangers tutting and staring at me.
"But I didn't expect a professional to comment on my body.
"I felt ashamed and burst into tears.
"Unless you've struggled with your weight, you don't know how humiliating a comment like that is.
"That's when I knew I had to make a change."
Within four months, Louise says she lost four stone, but her weight loss efforts increased after the family were joined by a new puppy, Merlin, now nine months.
"He was the game changer because it meant I had to go out and take him on walks - rain or shine," she explains.
Growing up, Louise says she had always struggled with her weight, but says her weight really started creeping up during pregnancy with her daughter, nine, who was born in May 2015.
Her job as a proposals manager also had an impact on her diet and Louise says she found herself relying on caffeine and biscuits to get through her 40-hour working week.
After snacking all day at work she would then have a "mega portion" of dinner at home with her husband Stewart, 38, a procurement manager.
Despite trying fad diets and weight loss programmes any progress Louise says issues with emotional eating and a dormant lifestyle always set her back.
"I've been on a diet since I was 16 but nothing worked," she explains.
"I'd stick to whatever diet I was on at the time but lose motivation.
"I didn't see the point of restricting myself for the sake of losing a couple of pounds a week.
"Soon enough, I was back to old habits.
"I also had no idea how to portion control and I was just sat at a desk all day."
But the comment from the flight attendant last year spurred Louise into action and she decided "enough was enough".
Enrolling in the Lighter Life weight loss plan in June 2023, Louise swapped her carb-laden meals for meal replacement shakes.
"I couldn't believe how easy it was and the weight just melted off me,'' she says
"Getting Merlin meant I had no excuse not to get my steps in.
"I now do 18,000 steps a day and we're able to go on lovely long walks as a family on the weekend which my daughter loves."
Louise says her weight loss has had a huge impact on her life.
"I'm half the woman I once was but I've gained so much because I'm finally able to go into a shop and find clothes for my size," she explains.
"I can also now shave my legs with ease and fit in the bath.
"Above all, I'm finally the healthy mum my daughter needs. She tells me I'm 'even more beautiful' now."
"I feel great about how I look but knowing my daughter is proud of me is the real win.
"This year we're going back to Lanzarote - using a different airline - and I'll be going feeling confident for the first time in my adult life."
Additional reporting SWNS.
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