When Vicky Howe and her partner Daren booked a holiday of a lifetime she knew something needed to change
Emotions can often get the better of us. When times get tough some people may hide under their duvet, others may go for a walk. But for me, I turned to food. It was my safety blanket.
Growing up I’d always been a bit chubby. My mum would pile my plate high with hearty home-cooked meals – sausage and mash and Sunday roasts were my favourite.
Back in the 70s we were told never to waste food, so it was ingrained in me from an early age to always eat everything on my plate. But during my teens, I became a lot more body conscious and started eating less, which helped me lose weight.
When I met Daren on holiday in Tenerife in 1989, I was a size 12 and full of confidence. But as our relationship progressed, we became comfortable.
While we’d enjoy going out, Daren was also an excellent cook. Nights in would involve wine and pasta meals, steak and chips or a Chinese takeaway. And although at 5ft 6in I was smaller than 6ft 1in Daren, I’d easily match his portion sizes.
Overweight and miserable
Unsurprisingly, it wasn’t long until the weight started to creep on and my clothes started to feel more snug. Daren was starting to look more cuddly too but we were too happy and in love to care.
After our daughter arrived in 2005 nothing could have prepared me for the stress of being a new mum. Lack of sleep meant I’d grab whatever I could to keep me going – Daren and I could easily polish off a packet of chocolate digestives throughout the day. And too tired to cook, we’d find ourselves reaching for the takeaway menu multiple times a week.
Heading back to work as a receptionist, I’d often feel my eyes getting heavy in front of the computer screen, as I’d indulge in sugary snacks like chocolate. I thought with time, I’d lose my baby weight, but soon my maternity clothes were too tight. My day-to-day uniform would consist of black leggings and a black T-shirt, anything to hide myself.
Daren was growing in size too. As the years went on, I tried to diet but I’d give up, putting back on any weight I’d lost plus more.
I was miserable, my knees hurt, I had no energy and would spend my free time napping. Things continued like that for years and as my daughter grew up, I realised she had never seen me anything other than overweight and unhealthy. Still, I did nothing to change.
Then in Jul
