From Pandemic Comfort Eating to Kettlebell Champion: A Nurse's Remarkable Transformation
A dedicated mother and former nurse who once consumed a staggering 6,000 calories daily has shared her inspiring journey of shedding five dress sizes without resorting to weight-loss injections. Vicky Edwards, 43, from Darlington, County Durham, has achieved a waist measurement smaller than her former thigh circumference through determination and lifestyle changes.
The Pandemic Trigger and Comfort Eating Spiral
Vicky's weight gain began during her challenging work as a nurse throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, where she witnessed daily tragedies while trying to keep her family safe. 'I just lost that thirst for life – I simply wanted to get up, exist, ensure we all stayed alive and then went home again,' she revealed. 'Once Covid started settling down slightly, I thought, "I'm just getting fatter now, I might as well keep eating."'
Standing at just 5 feet 2 inches, Vicky reached her heaviest weight of 12 stone 13 pounds in 2021, placing her BMI firmly in the obese category. Her daily diet during this period included:
- Breakfast: Scrambled eggs with bacon
- Mid-morning snacks: Fruit, chocolate bars, and cereal bars
- Lunch: Sandwich with crisps and another chocolate bar
- Dinner: Spaghetti bolognese
- Evening treat: Hot chocolate with biscuits before bed
The Turning Point and Professional Realisation
The reality of her situation struck when people began commenting on her size. 'That's when I realised it wasn't what I wanted,' Vicky admitted. As a healthcare professional, she felt particularly conflicted about her weight. 'You wouldn't want a dentist with bad teeth, or a police officer who breaks the law. So it's the same with nurses – you should practice what you preach, and at that point, I just wasn't doing that.'
Her weight significantly impacted her mental wellbeing, with Vicky confessing she would wake each day telling herself she was 'fat and ugly,' feeling constantly self-conscious and uncomfortable in her own skin.
The Slimming World Transformation Journey
In October 2021, Vicky joined Slimming World and completely overhauled her eating habits. She replaced her high-calorie breakfast with Weetabix accompanied by milk and fresh fruit, while her snacks transformed to healthier options like pickled onions and carrot sticks.
Her new dietary approach included:
- Weekly meal preparation for lunches, such as vegetable-packed spaghetti bolognese
- Evening meals featuring low-fat burgers or meatballs
- Dessert alternatives like low-calorie hot chocolate or yoghurt
The results were immediate and dramatic. In her first week following the plan, Vicky lost an impressive 10.5 pounds. After 18 months of consistent effort and adding gym sessions in spring 2022, she reached 10 stone.
From Weight Loss to Weight Lifting Champion
Vicky now maintains a weight of 8 stone 2 pounds and has developed an unexpected passion for strength training. Her dedication has earned her a place on the England kettlebell team, where she can now lift her own body weight above her head.
'It's like having imposter syndrome – I keep going out and buying the wrong sizes,' she said of adjusting to her new body. 'I couldn't really get my head around how I'd fit into a size eight when I was a size 18 for all those years. It wasn't until I took my measurements and realised my waist is now smaller than what my thigh used to be when I first started.'
Her current training regimen involves 90-minute kettlebell workouts three times weekly, an endurance-based weight lifting sport that has transformed her physique and confidence.
Maintaining Success and Inspiring Others
Despite losing 4 stone 11 pounds in total and achieving a healthy BMI of 20.9, Vicky acknowledges she's still adapting to her transformed body. She's determined to never let her weight 'creep back up' beyond nine stone.
'I've worked really hard at my training so that I haven't got lots of loose skin, and now I want to just keep challenging myself with my fitness,' she explained.
Reflecting on her journey, Vicky offers valuable advice to others considering weight loss: 'I think I'd tell other people that it's not a quick fix – whether you choose calorie counting, injections, or Slimming World, it's about consistency. It's what you do for the next six months that's going to start carving you into a new version of yourself.'
Her story stands as testament to the power of sustainable lifestyle changes over quick fixes, demonstrating how professional dedication can translate into personal transformation when channelled correctly.
