You’re so Yummy, Mummy!
By Rachel Mainwaring
Zoe Rees is half the mam she used to be – and her daughters couldn’t be prouder.
That’s because the single mum has shed a massive seven stone, shrinking from a size 26 to 10.
The 32-year-old caf worker from Swansea had been overweight since she was a teenager. And after having two children and doing relatively little exercise, constant snacking and poor eating habits meant her weight kept creeping up. Ashamed of her figure yet too scared to battle the bulge, she hid away in baggy men’s gear and shied away from clothes shopping.
It was only when she hit 17-and-a-half stone and developed chest problems that she knew she had to start losing weight or risk missing out on life with her beloved Bethan, 12, and Bennett, 10.
‘I used to work in a tuck shop and I’ve always snacked on food. I’ve always been slightly overweight but I just got bigger and bigger after I had my children,’ she confessed. ‘Also, I wasn’t in a great relationship with the girls’ dad, and I often turned to food for comfort which, of course, just made things worse really. I remember we all came back from a holiday and I saw pictures of myself and I was disgusted at what I saw. And then when I started getting really horrible pains, I knew my health was in jeopardy. I couldn’t do things with the girls that I wanted to do and I knew it was time to prove I could lose the weight and be a good role model to them.’
So she made her way to WeightWatchers.
‘I was really happy with the eating plan. Under the points system, food is weighted in value and you eat according to your points allowance. I lost six stone. I felt amazing. It gave me real confidence. I’d been with my partner for several years and, though we got married when I lost the initial weight, within a year we split up and I’d never have had the confidence to do that when I was large. I felt much healthier and I could do so much more with the girls. I went from eating chips and curry and takeaways most nights to a really healthy eating plan that didn’t leave me feeling hungry. Fruit and veg were never part of my diet before. But now for breakfast, I’ll have some fruit and cereal and maybe one slice of toast made with WeightWatchers. For lunch I’d have a ham or chicken salad or a sandwich and then there’s plenty of choice for tea, like chilli and cottage pie. The cookbooks are brilliant and as I’m in the catering business anyway, I’ve really enjoyed the cooking. The girls are obviously eating much better too. We certainly don’t do chips or fried food in our house anymore.’
After splitting with her husband, Zoe admits she did put on a bit more weight. But, in the last five months, she has lost another two stone and now weighs a very healthy 10st 4lbs and fits into size 10- 12 clothes.
Being transformed from a frumpy mother to a yummy mummy has boosted her self-esteem.
‘I get my hair done regularly now, I love having my nails done and I love shopping in places like Topshop, Next and Oasis, which I was never able to do while I was big. Slimming down to this size has totally changed my life. I feel healthier, I’ve got loads more self- confidence and I can dance and play with the girls at last. To be honest, they don’t really remember when I was big, but I know they are proud of me and we have great fun cooking together,’ she said.
‘I still go to WeightWatchers every week as it’s nice to get out for an hour and have some adult company and my friends often come over for a drink or a meal.’
Single but with her eyes on finding love in the future, Zoe will be spending Mother’s Day with her daughters.
‘We were going to go out for lunch today but I was rushed into hospital last week with appendicitis and I’m still recovering from that so we’ll probably just have a quiet day together. It’s hard being a single mum but I wouldn’t change it for the world. I feel a better person because I’ve slimmed down and I’ve got a lot more energy for the girls and that’s what I hoped for when I started the diet,’ she said.
rachel.mainwaring@wme.co.uk
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