By Rebecca Drew
THIS INSPIRATIONAL woman has more than halved her bodyweight in just two-years by adopting a vegetarian diet after her PERIODS STOPPED due to her weight and has since gone under the knife to remove the APRON of excess skin which left her feeling sad and insecure.
Creative writer and mum-of-one, Jacqueline Laing (43) from Dawson Creek, British Columbia, Canada, had always struggled with her weight and relationship with food which saw her trapped in a cycle of binge eating and sneaking and hiding food to eat in secret.
Unhappy with her 21st 4lb and a UK size 28 frame, Jacqueline dreaded doing things that others take for granted like going out for meals and grocery shopping out of fear of people judging and staring at her which caused her to eat to comfort her worries.
On top of this, Jacqueline’s weight was starting to have a negative impact on her health as her menstrual cycle stopped for five-years and doctors urged her to lose weight. Desperate, she tried everything from the grapefruit diet and weight watchers to the Atkins diet and slim shakes but Jacqueline could never sustain her weight loss from fad diets.
Fed up, she started to eat healthier and went vegetarian before working out six times a week. Two years later, Jacqueline had lost an incredible 11st 10lb but was left with an apron of loose skin that wouldn’t disappear no matter how much she worked on toning and served as an unhappy reminder of her previous lifestyle, so she opted for surgery to remove it in October last year.
Now, Jacqueline’s periods are back to normal and she’s a super confident 9st 8lb and wears a size small and hopes to inspire others with her story.
“I have always had an unhealthy relationship with food, overeating and binge eating, sneaking and hiding food as a kid and eating it in private. Being extremely overweight held me back physically and mentally,” said Jacqueline.
“For example, physically I was tired a lot, I would get out of breath and be tired doing small things like going up a flight of stairs or walking for any long distance. Mentally I did not feel comfortable in my own skin, I did not want to go out often or meet new people or try new things it would make me feel anxious.
“One thing that bothered me very much was eating in public, I always felt that I was being stared at or people were judging me and my food choices because I was overweight. Being overweight messed with my thoughts, I was not happy in my skin.
“Being overweight resulted in the loss of my menstrual cycle for many years. My doctor then prescribed medication to make me have a menstrual cycle. The medication was too hard on me and caused my cycle to be too painful. I was told that I needed to lose weight.
“Since losing the weight I now have my menstrual cycle back and it is regular without medication.
“I was tired of feeling uncomfortable in my body. I often felt tired and run down. I felt enough was enough; I needed to take control of my eating and make a change. You have to be honest with yourself and be ready for change.
“Losing weight has completely changed my life. I have more energy, I am happier in my own body, I feel strong, I have more confidence, I want to experience new things and meet new people. I no longer feel stress or worry when doing things like going out to eat and clothes shopping.”
A typical day of food for Jacqueline before her transformation would consist of a takeaway breakfast sandwich with hash browns and a large latte for breakfast; lasagne, macaroni cheese or a frozen pizza for lunch; frozen meals or takeaway chicken or burgers and chips and chicken nuggets for dinner all washed down with fizzy drinks and snacks of crisps and chocolate bars in between.
Now Jacqueline enjoys overnight oats topped with berries and a banana for breakfast; cottage cheese or plain yogurt with fruit or vegetables and hummus for lunch; beans, lentils and vegetables or squash spaghetti for dinner washed down with plenty of water and healthy fruit or peanut butter snacks to keep her going after workouts.
“The hardest part was training myself to eat healthier, put the effort in and make it a habit to eat better and exercise regularly. Moving and trying to exercise when I was at my heaviest was hard, I was tired quite often and sore, it was difficult,” she said.
“The loose skin I was left with made me feel sad and self-conscious as well because I worked so hard for years to lose all the weight to be left with this big reminder.
“When I passed my weight loss goal and really started to enjoy my running, that’s when I decided it was time to have my excess skin removed. I am so happy I had the skin removed.
“I felt it was the final step in my weight loss journey. The reminder of being overweight is no longer there. I can move and exercise and not worry if my skin is hidden.”
As well as working out in the gym six mornings a week, Jacqueline goes to help others reach their goals in the evenings.
“I am proud of how far I have come. I am happy to have this new outlook on life, I am more confident, I am happier in my own skin. I am more outgoing. I love spreading my passion for fitness and nutrition and trying to help others with fitness or nutrition from what I have learned on my journey,” she said.
“People are very happy and excited for me. They say I look amazing and can’t believe how far I have come. They congratulate me. They say I am brave for sharing my story about my extra skin.
“The best comments are ones where I am told I inspire someone that means a lot. I have cried with others who have said that when they read some of my posts it is like I am describing how they feel as well. That means so much to me. I have also had people not recognise me and be shocked.
“Be honest with yourself about what foods you are putting in your body and find a form of fitness that excites you. You have to be patient and consistent and put in the hard work, then you will reach your goal.”
For more information see www.instagram.com/platesandoats