Woman lost nine stone in a year thanks to lifestyle change

A woman who lost nine stone before a milestone birthday says it has ”saved her thirties”. Kat Burrows, 35, was unable to motivate herself to lose weight after piling on the pounds during late-night binges on Cadbury’s Fruit & Nut.

After years of self-neglect and fad diets, she found herself tipping the scales at 19st 13lbs and squeezing into a dress size 24. But in the run up to turning 30 she finally found the drive to banish her unhealthy diet – determined to enter a new decade “in the best shape of her life”.

The former IT worker ditched the processed carbs and sugar and lost nine stone in one year – just in time for her 30th birthday. By losing nearly half of her body weight, Kat got married to her now husband, Harvey Burrows, 58, who works in infrastructure, and the pair have since welcomed their two boys, Jenson-Kai, three and Harvey-Leigh, two.

Kat, who is now two months pregnant with her third child, now weighs 10st 10lbs and is a svelte dress size 10. Mum-of-two, Kat, from Basingstoke, Hampshire, said: “After being overweight most of my adult life, I was sick of feeling miserable and exhausted all the time.

Kat Burrows before her weight loss

“I knew that I didn’t want to enter my thirties in the same body, I was determined to get into shape. I knew I wouldn’t be able to do it alone, so I enrolled in a weight loss plan with regular meetings – having other people around me helped me stay motivated.

“But my husband was my biggest supporter, he’d always tell me how proud he was and would help cook healthy meals with me. The weight started falling off and when I saw the scales just before my 30th, I cried happy tears because I couldn’t believe that I did it.

“The following year, Harvey and I tied the knot, I was able to marry the man of my dreams in the dress of my dreams. We’ve since started our little family and I’m thankful that I lost the weight because now I’m able to be the best mum I can to my boys.

“Because of my weight, I just accepted that motherhood was something that might never happen for me. I’ve been able to keep the weight off but I’m mostly grateful for the life I’ve gained.”

Growing up, Kat always struggled with her weight, but with her parents’ divorce paired with secondary school bullies, she found herself comfort-eating to cope. Despite trying fad diets and weight loss plans, any progress Kat made would be scuppered by her emotional eating.

Over 10 years she dabbled in the Slimming World, the Rosemary Conley low-fat diet and Slim Fast – but none stuck. “Food was the answer to a bad day for me,” Kat said.

“I’d get something quick and unhealthy for my lunch break at work, like McDonald’s and then snack on Walker’s Ready Salted crisps in the afternoon. In the evenings, I’d love to just relax with a takeaway and a big bar of Fruit and Nut.

Kat Burrows after her weight loss

“Pizza or a Chinese would be my weakness. During a bad week, I could get through seven bars of chocolate, and it took its toll on my body and I spent all my twenties hating my reflection.”

But in January 2018, at age 29, and weighing 19st 13lbs, Kat decided “enough was enough”. With her and Harvey’s blossoming relationship, she became ”determined to change things” before turning 30 in February 2018 because tackling her weight was the “last piece of the puzzle”.

After enrolling in the Lighter Life weight loss plan and switching calorie-laden meals for meal replacement shakes, she was able to drop three stone in three months. “Even though I wanted to, I never thought I’d keep it up but the weight just melted off,” she said.

“I tried the gym for a bit but Pilates and yoga, which I still do now, were more for me- I love it. When the scales confirmed I’d lost 2 stone on my 30th birthday, I was made up.

Kat Burrows after her weight loss

“I celebrated by going for a special dinner at Miller and Carter with Harvey and my family. Being able to dress up in something that made me feel confident was a bonus.

“The following year, I got married and the year after that I was pregnant. I’ve been able to keep the weight off during both of my pregnancies and we have another little one due in September and I’ll do the same.

“I’d never go back to my habits because I love being a hands-on mum and the feeling of confidence I have in my body. Losing weight has not just given me my life back but I’ve been able to fulfil my 30s.”