Size matters

After suffering from depressive illness as an early teenager because of the sexual abuse she endured as a child, Louise started to put on weight in her teens. 'It was because my body was maturing. I didn't like it and started to binge eat to control my weight. I would then make myself sick. It got to the point where I could not keep any food down' she explains. This led to bulimia, kept alive by a bout of glandular fever and exam stress.

It got to the point where her body could not take any more. 'I binged and my body fell to pieces under the pressure. I was admitted to hospital with dehydration and fatigue. I was at an all-time low and felt suicidal. I couldn't bear the thought of anyone touching me. I started to shut out the world. Food was my only friend.'

By her early 20s she was a size 20 and felt pressure because of her size. 'People would give up their seat on the bus for me because they thought I was pregnant. I disliked my body so much that I didn't care what I looked like. Therefore, I just ate whatever I wanted' she says.

Another tragic event - the death of her sister - triggered a huge turnaround for Louise and she started to beat her obesity. 'This time I sought help. I didn't want to keep punishing myself for things I could not control. I lost a couple of stone from stress, but used it as an impetus to continue losing weight. I joined a gym and went power-walking. The exercise helped the weight come off. I lost two more stone.'

And she has found happiness in her new healthy size. 'I'm down to a size 16 now and feel fantastic. I exercise regularly and love to swim. I feel strong and healthy. I still have the occasional time when I eat too many biscuits or have to stop myself from going through all the cupboards. But, I now know when enough is enough.'