Size matters

Linda has struggled with her weight since her late teens, but has not always been large. 'I started to pile on the weight at the age of 19. I managed to lose a lot of it and got down to nine stone when I was 22, but since then, my weight has been up and down like a yo-yo' says Linda.

At 22, she piled on the pounds when her marriage turned against her. 'I had an abusive marriage and my husband used to beat me up. I came out of it a bit shell-shocked and was not looking after myself as a result' she says.

But this wasn't the first time that Linda had a weight problem. Her low self-esteem was related to childhood relationships. 'I got fat to keep men at a distance. I did not want to be hurt' she explains.

It all started with her stepfather. 'My parents split up when I was seven and my mum remarried. My stepfather showed me no love and instead bullied me and called me 'fatty'. I grew up thinking I was fat, ugly and stupid. My own father was a publican and never had any time for me. When he did visit, he would bring crisps and sweets. Food became synonymous with comfort.'

These days, Linda knows she is an unhealthy weight and is ready to do something about it. 'I'm starting to get my head round this weight issue now. I think that it starts in the mind and the emotions first and then filters down into the body. I know that I don't want to be fat and 50' she says.

She has found the right man to support her. 'It's great that my husband loves me regardless. He fancies me no matter what my size is. Since we married three years ago, he has really helped me with my self-image. I don't know what I would do without him.'