From Playground Embarrassment to Size 10 Triumph: A Mum's Weight Loss Odyssey
Bethany Wragg, a 41-year-old hairdresser from Sheffield, has revealed the complex emotions surrounding her remarkable six stone weight loss journey. Over three gruelling years, she transformed from what she describes as the "biggest mum in the playground" to a confident size 10, yet admits to feeling "bitter" watching others achieve similar results in mere months through modern weight loss injections.
The Turning Point: Playground Shame and Theme Park Humiliation
At her heaviest, Bethany tipped the scales at 16 stone 4 pounds and squeezed into a size 24. The reality of her situation became painfully clear during school runs. "When my daughter started school, I realised I was the biggest out of all of the mums," she recalled. The situation reached its nadir during a theme park visit where she required a belt extender to fit on a ride, an experience she describes as her "lowest moment."
Her weight gain followed a familiar pattern for many adults. Once a competitive dancer and school netball player, Bethany's active lifestyle gradually gave way to convenience foods and pub visits after leaving home. "I swapped extracurricular activities and healthy meals for takeaways three times a week, microwave burgers and drinking at the pub," she explained. Her earnings increasingly went toward confectionery, crisps, and fast food, while her self-esteem plummeted.
The Three-Year Transformation: No Quick Fixes
Bethany's journey began in earnest in January 2022 when she rejoined her local Slimming World group for what would become her fifth and final attempt. This time, her commitment was absolute. Out went the fry-ups, frozen pizzas, and secret chocolate binges, replaced by overnight oats, home-cooked chilli, and honest weekly weigh-ins.
The dietary overhaul was comprehensive:
- Previous Breakfast: Full English breakfast, pastries, or chocolate and sweets
- Current Breakfast: Overnight oats, Weetabix with berries
- Previous Lunch: Loaded chips, pork sandwiches with crisps and fizzy drinks
- Current Lunch: Leftover homemade chilli or pasta salad
- Previous Dinner: Microwave burgers, frozen pizzas, or takeaways
- Current Dinner: Homemade burgers, roast dinners, or homemade curry
Alongside her dietary changes, Bethany discovered a passion for cycling that became integral to her success. She began tackling regular 10-mile rides every weekend and cycling around her neighbourhood three times weekly. "I've absolutely fallen in love with bike-riding," she said, noting she now walks her dog to the local park instead of driving the five-minute journey.
Bittersweet Success in the Era of Weight Loss Injections
Now comfortably fitting into size 10 clothing and enjoying short dresses she never wore in her twenties, Bethany takes pride in her achievement but acknowledges complicated feelings. "I'm always supportive of anyone who loses weight, but I do feel a little bitter," she admitted. "Weight-loss jabs weren't really a thing a few years ago, and now I see people losing the same amount of weight in a few months as it took me three years."
She revealed that since summer 2024, she has faced repeated questions about whether she used pharmaceutical aids, requiring constant explanation of her traditional weight loss methods. "I absolutely would have tried them if they were available when I was at my biggest," she conceded, highlighting the changing landscape of weight management.
A Family Affair: Sustainable Lifestyle Changes
Bethany's transformation has become a family project. Her 19-year-old daughter now joins her in preparing nutritious meals, creating mutual accountability. The family has invested in a camper van, facilitating active weekends and cementing their new lifestyle. "The more my dress sizes went down, the better I felt," Bethany reflected, emphasising that her journey was about sustainable change rather than quick fixes.
Her story serves as both inspiration and a reflection on evolving weight loss methodologies, demonstrating that traditional approaches involving dietary discipline and increased physical activity can still deliver life-changing results, even as new pharmaceutical options emerge.
