Mum Sheds an Astonishing 17 Stone After Overcoming a 12-Bags-of-Crisps-a-Day “Addiction” — Now Battling to Remove the Scars of Her Old Life
Sarah Clarke, a 35-year-old mum from Leeds, has undergone a jaw-dropping transformation, losing an incredible 17 stone after conquering an addiction to unhealthy snacking that once saw her devouring up to 12 bags of crisps a day. At her heaviest, Sarah weighed 31st 6lbs and wore a size 32, using food as a way to cope with her trauma and emotional struggles.
Her daily indulgence in kebabs, chocolate, and massive amounts of crisps eventually caught up with her, leading to health scares like sleep apnoea and mobility issues, The Mirror reported. “Food became my therapy when it actually abused me,” Sarah revealed. But it wasn’t until she realized she could no longer keep up with her energetic 11-year-old daughter that she decided to take drastic action. “I was so tired I couldn’t give any energy to her. It made me feel sad,” Sarah confessed.
Determined to break free from the vicious cycle, Sarah began her weight loss journey by joining Slimming World in January 2022, shedding 3st 13lbs. But her transformation didn’t stop there. In June 2022, Sarah underwent gastric sleeve surgery through the NHS, which helped her lose an astounding 17 stone over two and a half years. Now, weighing 14st 1lb and wearing a size 16, she enjoys a diet of healthy, home-cooked meals and feels more confident than ever. “I finally broke the cycle of obesity,” she said proudly. “I feel I am a woman with great perseverance and drive.”
However, despite her amazing success, Sarah faces one final challenge: excess skin left behind from her dramatic weight loss. The extra skin not only affects her confidence but also prevents her from doing everyday activities like swimming with her daughter. “The scars of my old life are haunting me,” she explained. After being turned down for NHS-funded skin removal surgery three times, Sarah is now raising funds to pay for the procedure herself, setting a goal of £10,000.
Though she still has to reach a target weight of 11 or 12 stone to be reconsidered for surgery, Sarah remains hopeful. “I can’t wear a sleeveless dress,” she said, “but I know I can overcome this too.” Sarah’s inspiring story of resilience and transformation has touched the hearts of many, and she’s now calling on supporters to help her take the final step in her journey.
Donations to support Sarah’s skin removal surgery can be made through her GoFundMe page.