Name: Corie Brooks Age: 31 Height: 167.6 cm Start weight: 105.6 kg Current weight: 69.8kg
After suffering a tragic loss, and gaining weight during pregnancy, struggled with her weight for years and it was affecting every aspect of her life. Then, last year, she decided to take control.
“I didn’t struggle with my weight until I became pregnant with my son, six years ago. My mum passed away only a few weeks before I found out I was pregnant and I really struggled with this. I was also in a very unhappy relationship which I left when my son was one. Leaving the relationship left me and my baby homeless. I felt completely hopeless and continued to eat to fill a void inside me.
“I continued to feel worthless, and continued to over eat. Although most people I know thought I was confident, it was a bit of an act and my weight always held me back. I worked as a style advisor and I loved clothes, but I wasn’t comfortable with my size to wear all the clothes I wanted to. I lived in leggings and I wouldn’t wear jeans because I didn’t like the way they looked on me.
“Being single, I was also dating, but I found it hard and wouldn’t put myself out there. Because I wasn’t happy with myself I was just accepting men I wasn’t completely happy with, just because I thought I couldn’t do better. And when dates didn’t go well I’d blame my weight.
“In December 2016, on New Year’s eve, I made a New Year’s resolution that I was going to become healthy and lose weight. I was also turning 30 that year, so my goal was to be in better shape by then.
“A friend of mine introduced me to Cambridge Weight Plan. I could see her losing weight pretty quickly so I wanted to give it a try. I needed to see results straight away to give me motivation, so I knew this would work for me.
“I started on Step 1 and lost 4.5kg in my first week. I couldn’t believe it, but I could actually see the difference in that first week. I had tried so many diets in the past. You name it tried it – grapefruit diet, slimming pills, maple syrup diet, calorie counting – but nothing had worked like this!
“With support from my Consultant, and motivation from my friends, I lost 35.8kg and I feel like a new person. I now love exercising, and my son comes running with me. I was able to run with him at his school run, and we won! I wouldn’t have even taken part before. I now feel I’m a good role model for him because he sees my healthy lifestyle and we both eat healthily.
“I still have treats and don’t miss out on nights out or going for dinner, but I now know how to get back on track straight away so I don’t gain the weight again.
“My obsession with clothes is back, and I have way too many! Although my confidence is still growing, it’ll take time to get used to my new body, I wouldn’t have dreamed of wearing a bikini this time a year and a half a go – now look at me!”