A woman from Greater Manchester lost half her body weight after being unable to fasten her seatbelt on a flight to Berlin. Amanda Gorley, 47, weighed 19st 10lb at the time and wore a size 24 dress, with a BMI of 42.7, classed as morbidly obese.
Amanda, an accounts assistant from Ashton-under-Lyne, said the incident in December 2018 was a wake-up call. 'The belt just wouldn't fasten. I was mortified. Having to ask for that seat belt extender was the most embarrassed I've ever been,' she said. She vowed to her husband Carl, 58, that she would not need to ask for one again.
Amanda's overeating began at age 14, and she turned to comfort food whenever stressed. She would binge on packets of biscuits and large portions of home-cooked meals. After the flight, she joined slimming club WW in August 2019 and changed her diet to smaller portions and healthier snacks.
She lost 9st 5lb, now weighing 10st 5lb. Her new diet includes fruit for breakfast, chicken or tuna salad for lunch, and smaller portions of her favourite meals. She now limits chocolate to one or two pieces instead of a whole bar.
Amanda said losing weight has boosted her confidence and energy. 'I've rediscovered clothes and fashion and taking care of myself,' she said. She found the WW approach easy and has maintained her weight loss despite fears during lockdown.
