A size 22 mum who weighed more than 20st has dropped 10st after a breakup epiphany, realising she didn't want to be a 'blob' next to her new army boyfriend.
Claire Kelly, 31, from Liverpool, says her weight hit more than 20st during a two-year relationship, as she continued eating even when she felt 'disgustingly sick'. She would often binge-eat meals big enough for four people, followed by a whole tub of ice cream and a packet of cookies.
After breaking up with her ex in May 2020, Claire claims she had an 'epiphany' and realised she could change her life. Romance blossomed with army man James in August that year, who she met through work, and she says her new partner inspired her to get leaner as he was 'very fit and healthy'.
From walking to the gym
First, the ambulance worker lost 1.5st simply through walking, before dropping 5st in two months after joining the gym. Alongside diet and exercise, Claire had liposuction on her stomach and legs and a breast reduction in 2023.
After getting engaged in February 2025, Claire managed to shed the remaining 3st to hit her ideal weight. Now, 5ft 7in Claire weighs 10st 7lbs and fits in a size eight.
She credits the breakup for her 'epiphany' and 'massively helping' her finally begin losing weight.
‘You only have one life’
Claire said: “I had a very sudden breakup and had a bit of an epiphany. It was a lot.
“I isolated myself during covid because I worked for the ambulance service. This whole cloud came off me and I realised I was held back this entire time.
“I saw a lot of things in the ambulance service and it made me understand that you only have one life, so why am I living my life so miserably?
“I separated from that person. The breakup massively helped.
“I met James and he is in the army, very fit and healthy. I thought, I'm a blob. We went on walks and when lockdown finished, I started going to the gym.
“I started taking notice of my diet. I got a full-time coach. She was educating me on the importance of having protein.
“I had a really structured plan. I was training five to six times a week. After about two months the weight just dropped off. I had hit a five stone mark before I knew it.”
Surgery and breaking the binge cycle
Claire had liposuction on her stomach and legs, and a breast reduction, going from a G cup to a C cup. She said: “I was uncomfortably big, I was in the obese category, if not morbidly obese. About three years ago I hit a goal weight of losing seven stone.”
The mum said she had put on the pounds by binge-eating, scoffing down 'whatever' and eating ready-meals meant to serve four people. Now, she says her mental health has improved since her weight loss journey.
Claire said: “I did a lot of binge-eating. I didn't know any better, it escalated when I felt I wasn't good enough, like a coping mechanism.
“I would eat whatever I could find. You just don't stop even if you feel disgustingly sick. It's a very vicious cycle. The volume of food I was eating was horrendous.
“I would have a pre-made meal that could serve four people in one sitting and then have a tub of ice cream and a pack of cookies.
“The binges could go on for days. I love chocolate, jelly sweets and cake.”
Engagement motivation and a life lesson
Claire admitted she is shocked when she looks at old photos of herself and wants to 'show off' the work she has put into her transformation.
She said: “We got engaged and it really motivated me to become the best version of myself.
“I lost three stone between February and August 2025. It was extremely hard and it's been a really long process.
“My mental health went from rock bottom to another level. I started finding myself. You can't expect someone to love you if you don't love yourself.
“I have a little girl and I want to teach her that she needs to value herself before anyone else. GLP-1s weren't available to us when I started and I had to do it naturally.
“I am very glad I did it naturally because it taught me more about my relationship with food.
“I couldn't remember what I looked like before. It was eye-opening to see photos before my journey.
“It's taught me a lot about being consistent and learning about your body. I wanted to get lean and show off the work I've been doing for the last few years.”
Before and after food diaries
Claire's food diary before weight loss included a big bowl of cereal, 2-3 slices of toast or pastries and a Starbucks Frappuccino for breakfast, meal deals, fried chicken or pasta for lunch, crisps, chocolate bars and a sugary drink for snacks, and a home-cooked meal with lots of olive oil, pasta or takeaway for dinner.
After weight loss, her breakfast is a yoghurt bowl with fruit, chia seeds, agave syrup, coffee and almond milk. Lunch is chicken sausages, salad, eggs or tuna pasta salad. Dinner is chicken or turkey, tofu, beans, lentils or pasta, with chocolate and sweets in moderation as snacks.
