A woman has revealed how she dropped five dress sizes to bag her dream job working for the NHS.
Abbie Woodward, 20, from Liverpool, wanted to become a nurse but feared her 15st 9lbs frame would hold her back and leave her feeling exhausted during long shifts.
After struggling to fit into a size XL jumper on Christmas Day in 2016, Abbie vowed to overhaul her lifestyle and lose weight.
Abbie, who went from a size 16 to a size 6, has since lost 5st and is now proud to work as a nursing assistant at her local hospital.
Before: Abbie Woodward, 20, from Liverpool, tipped the scales at 15st 9lbs at her heaviest
Transformation: The 20-year-old went from a size 16 (left) to a size 6 (right) in just 14 months
After: Abbie has since bagged her dream job working as a nursing assistant in an NHS hospital
She said: ‘Losing weight has given me the confidence to become a nursing assistant and helped me to thrive in what I do.
‘With that extra weight I never would have been able to work 12-and-a-half hour shifts.’
Abbie spent two years working at Lister Steps, Liverpool, after leaving college at 15st.
The turning point came when she couldn’t fit into a size XL £100 designer jumper by boyfriend Thomas Campbell, 20, for Christmas in 2016.
‘I unwrapped the present and went to the bathroom to try it on so I could wear it for Christmas Day but I just couldn’t get it on,’ she said.
Realisation: Abbie vowed to lose weight after struggling to fit into a size XL jumper in 2016
Careful choices: Abbie now has to make sensible decisions when she dines out with friends
Determined: The former nursery nurse signed up to Slimming World and soon shed weight
‘I was horrified. I felt bad because it was a present and he had spent so much money on it. I just sat beside the shower and just couldn’t speak.
‘I then looked into getting it exchanged but the designer fashion label said it was biggest size they did. I was mortified.
‘After I couldn’t fit in it I just thought enough is enough and decided to join Slimming World.’
Abbie started her weight loss plan in January 2017 and began to quickly see the benefits.
More energy: Abbie said she would have struggled with long shifts before her weight loss
Holding back: Abbie spent two years working in a nursery (pictured) but dreamed of being a nurse
‘I had previously joined when I was 14 with my mum but this time I was adamant to make it work,’ she said.
‘It’s all about being disciplined. I make my own meals now and take berries and healthy food into work.
‘My favourite is chilli con carne and butternut squash soup which I make in my soup maker.
‘It’s hard going out with my mates now as I watch them eat whatever they want but I’ve just got to think of the bigger picture.’
Support: Abbie now lives with her boyfriend of four years, Thomas Campbell, 20, pictured
Disciplined: Abbie makes sure she goes to work armed with healthy meals and snacks
Focused: Abbie is striving to reach her 9st 7lb goal before her 21st birthday next month
Abbie is now striving to reach her 9st 7lb goal before her 21st birthday next month.
She said: ‘It’s my birthday on 3rd June and I’ve only got 4lb left to lose.
‘I joined a gym at the same time and eased my way in with a bit of cardio before I started to join the classes. Now I go to five a week and go running. My favourite is definitely the spin classes.
‘I live with my boyfriend now but every time I go round my mum’s house we cook a healthy meal and my sister joins in too.
‘I’m off to Mexico in a couple of weeks and the best thing has been being able to pick up holiday clothes in smaller sizes and for cheaper prices.
‘Beforehand I’d have paid £35 for a bra from Marks and Spencer but now I can just waltz into Primark and get a crop bra for £2 which supports me fine.
‘I ended up selling the Kenzo jumper online for £20 which my boyfriend wasn’t too pleased with. I just couldn’t keep it.
‘Other than that he’s been so supportive. We’ve been together four years and he said he was my boyfriend when I was fat and just wants me to be happy.
‘He said having me slimmer is just an added bonus and he loves me all the same.’