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Mum's 22-stone weight loss transformed her health
2 Feb
Summary
- Emily Collins lost over 7 stone after a photo inspired her to change.
- She was diagnosed with bipolar, Addison's disease, and type 2 diabetes.
- Her health has improved, increasing her lifespan by an estimated 15 years.
Emily Collins, a 46-year-old psychiatrist nurse from Louth, Lincolnshire, experienced a profound life transformation after a photograph taken by her daughter in January 2023 revealed her struggles with obesity. Weighing over 22 stone and wearing size 26 clothes, Emily had battled an undiagnosed eating disorder since her teenage years, leading to significant mental health challenges, including suicidal ideation.
Her health deteriorated further with diagnoses of bipolar disorder, Addison's disease, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. Despite trying various methods, including medication and gym programs, lasting change eluded her until she sought help through an NHS self-referral app.
Emily joined Slimming World in August 2023, finding a supportive community that helped her adopt healthier eating habits through their Food Optimising plan. This approach focused on filling, low-calorie foods rather than strict calorie counting. She also embraced an active lifestyle, even starting a women's football team.
