Size matters

'At the age of 23, I was diagnosed with bulimia. I had been scared to go to the doctor as no one knew - not even my parents. I weighed about nine stone at this time' she says.

This was until a flatmate found out about it and told her to get help. 'I was put on antidepressants, had a breakdown and had to move back in with my parents. They did not know how to deal with me. I had no one to talk to' says Jayne.

But life changed for the better when Jayne met her partner and came off the antidepressants. She was happier - but she started to put on weight. 'I met my partner on a web-design course when I was 29. This is when the weight gain started' she explains.

Jayne was confused. 'I hadn't changed my eating pattern at all. I went to a specialist who could not pinpoint the sudden weight gain. He did, however, say that the bulimia had affected my menstrual cycle and hormones. The weight continued to pile on.'

With the weight gain came a huge loss of self-worth. 'I hated going to the clinics as they had to measure my body fat and I would stand there in my bra and knickers. They would comment on how young I was to be obese.

'I lost all my self-esteem and sometimes even contemplated suicide. Even people in the street would look down on me and give me judgmental looks' she explains.

Jayne was then diagnosed with PCOS, where heavier weight is a symptom.

Now things are looking up for her because of support from her GP and partner, and a new-found love for exercise. 'I'm currently not on any treatment. I found a doctor who is fully supportive and the weight is coming off gradually.

'I really enjoy exercise - it makes me feel good. I want to get down to nine stone and still have the clothes I wore when I was this size as an incentive' she says.