When Martha Rose found her weight spiralling out of control, she decided to resort to drastic measures.
The mum tipped the scales at 16st when she learned she was pre-diabetic and her weight was making it harder to fall pregnant.
The 36-year-old, from the Cheadle area of Stockport, eventually became so desperate she enquired about weight loss injections and was put on a waiting list.
Martha was five stone heavier
(Image: Martha Rose)
But while waiting for a response, she took matters into her own hands and decided to sign up to her local Slimming World group.
Incredibly, Martha went on to lose an amazing 5st 5lbs – now weighing in at 10st 6lbs – transforming her life both physically and mentally.
“I used to be confident and loved how I looked but I had lost sight of who I was,” the mum said. “My mental health was atrocious. Everything was suffering being six stone overweight.
Martha felt unhappy before
(Image: Martha Rose)
“I refused to have photos taken with my children and I dreaded looking in the mirror. I knew if I wanted to be happy and to be a healthy role model for my children, I needed to make drastic changes.
“I was so desperate to lose weight I was on the waitlist for expensive weight loss injections and, thankfully, by the time they emailed me, I was no longer even a candidate for them as I had lost so much weight.”
Martha before
(Image: Martha Rose)
Martha says her transformation mainly came down to following the Extra Easy Plan from Slimming World, a weight-loss routine that allows unlimited intake of certain foods like lean meats, vegetables and fruits while encouraging calorie counting for higher-calorie items.
Amazingly, Martha convinced her husband to join the group too and he has since lost three stone.
Martha also believes one of the main reasons for her success was adjusting her mindset. “This is for life and not just a diet,” she said. “I’ve tried Slimming World countless times. I’ve literally joined and re-joined about 10 times in my life but it’s never stuck as I’ve seen it as a race to the finish.
Martha looks unrecognisable
(Image: Martha Rose)
“[It was a] temporary thing to lose a bit of weight as opposed to changing my lifestyle and unhealthy eating habits and making real changes.
“I still struggle if I gain a pound or maintain and I have to repeatedly tell myself this is a journey and it’s a lifelong thing so just try and be kind to myself.”
Martha says she feels amazing now
(Image: Martha Rose)
Martha says she no longer hides away from photos or her reflection and now feels healthier than ever.
“I can fit in a size 12 again. I can be happy again and healthy again,” she added. “I am the woman my husband met 10 years ago. My most recent health screenings have shown everything is normal.
Martha now
(Image: Martha Rose)
“I can look in the mirror and not hate what I see. I can walk to my wardrobe and know I’ll look amazing in whatever I pull out. I don’t hide or shy away from my reflection. I can show my boys what it means to be a confident and beautiful woman and love myself.
“Honestly, I couldn’t be prouder of what I have achieved. I am the lowest weight I have been in 11 years and I never dreamed it was possible.”