Top Santé UK – August 2019

T

YING UP MY LACES,

I take a deep breath

and smile. Come rain

or shine, hail, thunder

and lightning or snow,

running makes me

happy. But I still pinch myself, because

I’ve run a long way from the woman

I used to be.

As a child, I was chubby. My mum

offered to help, putting me on my fi rst

diet when I was 13. The diets never

worked. When I was 18, I moved in

with my boyfriend (who later became

my husband). I couldn’t believe how

easy it was to eat whatever I wanted

and avoid exercise altogether. I’d buy

biscuits then eat the entire packet

while watching TV.

Being overweight made me sad and

eating junk food comforted me.

I worked as a hairdresser, grabbing

chocolate bars and crisps to keep me

going through long shifts. As my

weight increased, kids would snigger

and whisper as they passed me in the

street. In meetings at work, people

ignored me. I took up more room yet

felt invisible.

When I was 24, we started trying for

a baby but after a year of nothing

happening, I went to see my GP. She

put me on her scales and I was

mortifi ed to see I was 21st. ‘Eat less

and do more,’ the doctor said bluntly.

Realising my weight might stop me

becoming a mother, my mindset

changed in an instant.

I cut out processed food and bought

my fi rst pair of trainers. I started

walking a few miles a day. My body,

and my mind, began to change. After

a year, I became pregnant and it

encouraged me to continue on my

new, healthier path.

By the time Chloe was born in

December 1997, I was 18st. I’d take her

to the creche at the local sports centre

while I did an exercise class. A year

and a half later, I was pregnant with

Jack. When he was born in April 1999,

I weighed 15st. I’d lost 6st over the

course of two pregnancies!

A WHOLE-LIFE OVERHAUL

At my largest I’d been a size 30, and

when I was able to buy my fi rst pair of

size 18 jeans I felt elated. After

Jack was born I joined a gym and

the weight continued to fall off.

I discovered a more confi dent me. But

my relationship was on rocky ground.

I hadn’t been happy in a long while. It

RUNNING HELPED ME

DROP 12 dress sizes

Sarah Clark, 47, from Swindon, ate her way to 21st by the age of 24. Now,

she’s transformed her fi tness and won a medal or two along the way.

HEALTH

18 0

°

18 018 0

At her heaviest, in her mid-20s, Sarah

weighed 21 stones.

Sarah completing her 100th

Park Run, with partner Ian and

daughter Chloe behind her.

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FITNESS | RUNNING

WORDS: KIM WILLIS.