A mother-of-three has revealed her dramatic weight loss after she was fat-shamed when she asked for a seatbelt extension on a flight.
Michaela Martin, from New Zealand, now looks unrecognisable after she drastically changed her unhealthy lifestyle that saw her tip the scales at 128 kilograms at her heaviest.
The 25-year-old woman said she was determined to turn her life around after a flight attendant humiliated her in front of passengers on board a plane to Australia.
Before and after: Mother Michaela Martin (pictured left waiting for her flight shortly before she was fat-shamed) has revealed how her dramatic weight loss came after she was left humiliated when she asked for a seatbelt extension on a flight
Following the cruel incident, she embarked on a weight loss journey by working out at the gym
‘I remember taking the left side pic at Auckland Airport, ready to fly to Australia was so self conscious and had this huge a** jacket on ready to fly to sunny Queensland of all places. I thought maybe if I covered my body, people wouldn’t see what was blatantly obvious,’ she said on her Instagram.
‘To make matters worse, when I went onto the airplane I couldn’t fit the seat belt. The airline hostess found it appropriate to announce in the middle of a quiet plane that due to my size, I would need to use the seat belt extension that mums travelling with babies needed and maybe next time I should consider booking two seats to accommodate for my size to ensure a more “comfortable” flight for myself and other passengers.
‘The feeling of pure embarrassment and shame is something I’ll never forget.’
She embarked on a weight loss journey where she managed to shed 32 kilograms by leading a healthier diet and working out at the gym
Reflecting back to the unpleasant day, Michaela said she regretted not standing up for herself when she was humiliated by the staff member.
‘I loved myself so little back then that I let that airline hostess treat me that way,’ she said.
‘I believed I wasn’t deserving of the same respect that she was showing the rest of the passengers because in my head, I was worth less than every skinny person on that plane.
‘But as I know now, that was the furthest thing from the truth and I wish my old self could have seen and known what I do now.’
She embarked on a weight loss journey where she managed to shed 32 kilograms by leading a healthier diet and working out at the gym.
The young woman – who has been documenting her journey to more than 3,000 of her followers – said her weight spiralled out of control in her early 20s
‘The day I started loving myself enough to start taking care of me and nourishing my body was the day I turned a new page,’ she said.
‘Both my physical and mental health have transformed so much since then and I am so proud.’
Looking at old photographs of herself, Michaela said she felt much ‘healthier, a whole lot happier’ and full of confidence.
‘More importantly she loves herself,’ she said.
The young woman – who has been documenting her journey to more than 3,000 of her followers – said her weight spiralled out of control in her early 20s.
‘I was essentially eating myself to death,’ she said.
‘I had so many health issues and thought cardio was murder. I was so close to 130kg which I can’t believe I got myself to. I had no confidence, I hated shopping and looking in mirrors. I was your quintessential emotional eater.’
Looking at old photographs of herself, Michaela said she felt much ‘healthier, a whole lot happier’ and full of confidence
She tried every diet imaginable but to no avail.
‘It wasn’t until I had my first child that I realised I needed to love myself on the inside before I can start working on the outside,’ she said.
‘So that’s what I did. I learnt the hard way that there is no easy way. Eat less c**p and move more often. Stay motivated and be positive. Truth is, it’s easier said than done.
‘With three kids I swear it feels impossible sometimes to look after and love yourself as well. So it’s a constant learning process for me.
By sharing her inspiring story, Michaela – who went from a size 24 to 16 – wanted people struggling with body image issues to draw hope from her experience.
‘Don’t forget babes, no matter your size or shape, colour or culture, you are worth just as much as everyone else,’ she said.
‘Love yourself enough to take a stand for yourself and doing things for you. The rest will start to fall into place from there. I am a walking testament to that.’