real life
‘I gave up baking and a lost nearly 6st for my DREAM WEDDING'
Lockdown saw Leah Comish, 27, gain weight rapidly. But she was determined to lose the pounds in time to say ‘I do’
Scrolling through TikTok, my eyes lit up as a delicious iced treat popped up on my screen.
Rummaging through my cupboards I was delighted to see that I had all the ingredients I needed to make it. It was 2020, we were in lockdown and I had discovered a whole world of baking ideas on TikTok and Facebook. I’d never baked before; I’d avoided it completely because I knew I’d be too tempted as my weight was something I’d always struggled with.
From shakes, to pills, to personal trainers – I’d tried it all over the years. I even joined Slimming World multiple times, but I’d lose weight then stop going and slowly it would creep back on. So by the time the pandemic hit I was a size 14 to 16 and watching endless baking videos every day – it was no surprise the pounds piled on.
I’d make anything; batches of cookies, banana loafs and different cakes and buns. It was something to do, and it was a treat to look forward to. A lot of the time I wasn’t hungry and wasn’t even enjoying it. I was just eating without thinking.
I worked as a teacher and having to teach over Zoom meant sitting down all day which certainly didn’t help. At the time, I was living with my boyfriend, Scott, who, at 6ft 3in, could eat whatever he wanted and never put on a pound. Often, we’d sit watching telly and have treats between us but then there were times when I’d take things upstairs to eat in secret. Towards the end of lockdown, I’d gained two stone and my clothes wouldn’t fit my size 18 frame.
The tipping point came when I was out on a family walk. I was with my mum, dad, brother, grandma and auntie and when it was suggested we take a group photo. I was overcome with dread as I always avoided getting in them.
After uncomfortably posing, I took one look at the picture and my heart sank. “Oh no!” I gasped, horrified at what I saw. I couldn’t believe how big I’d become. “I can’t get any bigger,” I said, determined. In that moment, something just switched in my head.
BEFORE 15st 8.5lbs Size 18
AFTER 10st Size 10
