A woman from Toryglen has halved her dress size after an asthma attack left her on oxygen for a week.
Jacqueline Church was hospitalised after suffering a major asthma attack and high blood pressure last year.
The 39-year-old’s life was turned upside down by the deterioration of her health which left her unable sleep or exercise and suffering from crippling heartburn.
As life became more difficult, Jacqueline was experiencing both mini and major asthma attacks and told her weight had now become a danger to her life.
She explains: “I had a low mood, and this led to me adopting unhealthy habits, and my mental health suffered as the weight increased.
“I suffered from crippling heartburn. My mobility suffered and I couldn’t sleep due to the cough I now had. I suffered from mini asthma attacks when I was stressed and had a major asthma attack while I was working. Elements of my life became difficult.
“I also remember I was visiting Madame Tussauds and had to leave as I was getting too hot, and breathless, but it was my weight that caused this - how embarrassing.
“It was a clinic visit the doctor, who was very blunt with me, and blamed my weight for the deterioration in my health.”
Jacqueline was eventually referred to Weight Watchers through the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde scheme and attended her first workshop at Daisy Street community centre in Govanhill just before Christmas.
She adds: “After a few months I felt confident enough to join the gym. My PT has challenged and pushed me each session to build not only muscles but self-esteem.
“My partner Scott has supported me throughout every part of the journey and has even managed to lose five stone too.
“His faith, support and cooking are a huge reason why I reached goal weight, and he lost weight too. Between him and my mum I have a fantastic support system and this is something you need in this journey.
“This is a lifestyle change that is sustainable because it’s not about giving up your favourite foods but finding ways to build healthy habits.
“I can now run over 10k, exercise daily and don’t need to use an inhaler anymore, whereas I had to use it up to four times a day. My mental health is stronger, and I can cope with stress in a completely different way than before.
“I used to wear a massive size 20 but now love shopping for a smaller size 10. I used to eat all the wrong foods like lots of toast and butter, sugary cereals, pizza and chips, shop-bought meals and sandwiches, but WW has taught me to eat more but of the right foods.
“I now have lots of confidence to look at myself in the mirror, and it feels amazing to have my health back. I joined just before Christmas and my journey took about six months.
“I also need to go thank the “cheeky” doctor. Without the push from my GP and NHS/WW referral scheme, I wouldn’t be this new person.”
