A South Cheshire mum who could “fill a two-seater sofa” has shed a staggering 24 STONE to fulfil a promise to her mum and dad who both died of cancer.
Sharon Blakemore looks unrecognisable after losing the weight thanks to a strict eating regime and using Gymophobics in Nantwich.
She has lost an incredible 67.5 inches from her figure in less than two and half years.
But the 39-year-old admits problems started when she felt like her “roller-coaster had been derailed” losing her mum and dad to cancer in 2011 and 2012 respectively.
Sharon said: “In September 2010 I was told my mum had cancer, by December we knew it was terminal, and we lost her in the January.
“Then just over 12 months later we found out my father was dying of cancer and by June 2012 I had lost him as well.
“I had made a promise to both my parents to get married, and most importantly, to get fit and lose weight for my children.
“My amazing husband booked the date for our wedding and this, and my children, kept me going.”
At her heaviest, Sharon weighed 37.5 stone, which she largely put down to her “love for takeaways”.
She struggled to find clothes that fit her size 38 figure, and had to order up to 8XL from specialist men’s websites.
The mother-of-two added: “At the time, my health was being abused.
“I still don’t know how I managed to find someone to love me at that size.
“I was dieting at home initially, not because I was embarrassed, but because I knew the scales wouldn’t be big enough.”
Sharon swapped chocolate and crisps for a low sugar diet and slimmed down to 21 stone.
At that point when she became “confident enough” to go out and join Gymophobics in Nantwich.
“Getting the confidence to join Gymophobics is the best thing that could of happened to me,” she added.
“My best friend kept me motivated and game me all the encouragement I needed to keep going, and the instructors taught me how to exercise and have fun.
“The one thing I have learned from my journey is that life is too short, live for today and make sure you have fun along the way.
“I now intend of making lots of memories with my family.”
Sharon has also introduced her 15-year-old daughter to the gym, and wants her to understand that “exercise and being healthy is fun and not a chore”.
Donna Hubbard, founder of Gymophobics, said: “Sharon’s story is incredibly inspirational, and I am sure that her parents would be proud of her.
“To lose that much weight, and keep it off, is a fantastic achievement.”
Go shazza. Well done and good fer yer health luv