A hairdresser has revealed her incredible weight loss journey sparked by fears she might not be able to have children – and she explained how a customer’s comment left her in tears. Jasmin Chapman had been told by doctors she may not be able to have kidsdue to her size.
Jasmin, who had battled with her weight since childhood, was at her smallest in year seven when she was a size 14. At her heaviest, she tipped the scales at 23 stone and wore a size 26. Despite health issues like sciatica and sleep apnea, Jasmin tried to ignore her weight problems, even when she couldn’t fit onto rides at a theme park.
However, when her periods stopped in 2022 and medics warned her about potential fertility issues, she knew it was time for change. The 34 year old said she felt as if “her life was over” and feared her fiancé, Jake, 31, might leave her.
She managed to secure a place on the waiting list for an NHS-funded gastric bypass and underwent surgery in February 2023. Now, having slimmed down to nine stone and a size eight, Jasmin says she feels like she has “a new lease of life”.
The couple, who got engaged this February, plan to marry in Greece next year and hope to start trying for a baby afterwards. Speaking about her health scare, Jasmin, from Leicester, told NeedToKnow.: ”My menstrual cycle had stopped which was scary.
Because of my weight, I’d be at high risk of not being able to have a baby. “Because of my weight, I’d be at high risk of not being able to have a baby. I thought my life was over. I was 33 and on a biological clock. I’d just started seeing Jake and I didn’t know if it would change things.
“Losing 14 stone is a scary thought and it felt impossible but I decided I couldn’t just sit around and do nothing. I thought I was happy and confident before but I wasn’t. I had no self-esteem and I didn’t love myself. knew something needed to change. Because I didn’t know what dress I would wear, I never thought I would have the experience of getting married.
“Because of my weight, I’d be at high risk of not being able to have a baby. Jake doesn’t even realise that I’ve changed. It shows what an amazing person he is that he loved me when I was a size 26 and he loves me now. I wouldn’t have been able to do it without his support. He always pushed me.
“Because of my weight, I’d be at high risk of not being able to have a baby. My period has come back. We want to try for a baby after the wedding and I can’t wait to be a mum.
Jasmin said she’d tried “every fad diet in the book” and even managed to shed five stone when she was 25.But she always struggled to keep the weight off. She said: “I tried every diet you can think of but I did it because everyone else thought I should. “I’m a fun lover of life. My weight offended other people more than it offended me. I didn’t know any different. When I lost five stone, it broke down my relationship because my ex-partner didn’t like it. During the break-up, I probably put that five stone back on in a week because I’m an emotional eater.”
Jasmin tried to mask her insecurities with a loud and bubbly personality, but she was left feeling embarrassed when people made hurtful comments about her weight. She recalled: “Once, a regular customer came into the salon and the receptionist asked who her appointment was with. “Because of my weight, I’d be at high risk of not being able to have a baby.”
She said ‘I don’t know her name but it’s the big, fat one’. I was so embarrassed and heartbroken. I couldn’t make the appointment because I couldn’t stop crying. It was an awful experience. “
Jasmin’s struggles with her weight also affected her daily life, as she faced challenges such as plane seatbelts not fitting and being unable to go on certain theme park rides due to size restrictions. She would often joke that it was because of her bust size, but deep down, she was in denial about her weight issues. Prior to her weight loss, Jasmin’s diet consisted of large portions of pasta, and she was also addicted to Diet Coke, rarely drinking water. She said: “I’d cook a portion for a family.
“Because of my weight, I’d be at high risk of not being able to have a baby. If someone offered me a handful of chips or a huge salad, I’d choose the salad because there was more. I never knew when I was full. I was a diet coke addict. It’s all I would drink.
I wouldn’t drink water. But I haven’t had a drop [of Coca-Cola] since the bypass. Because of my weight, I’d be at high risk of not being able to have a baby.”
I still treat myself but it’s in moderation. ” To address her eating habits, Jasmin underwent counselling to change her perspective on food. She also had to follow a strict 300-calorie-per-day diet leading up to her surgery. Reflecting on her decision, Jasmin said: “It was the best thing I’ve ever done.
“Because of my weight, I’d be at high risk of not being able to have a baby.” I realised it needed to be a whole lifestyle change, not a fad diet. It’s about health.
“A healthy body is a healthy mind. I went to Slimming World and Jake came with me even though he didn’t need to. We chucked all of the unhealthy food out of the house.”
Because of my weight, I’d be at high risk of not being able to have a baby.” The diet in the four weeks beforehand was the hardest thing I’d ever done. One and a half boiled eggs is 300 calories. I had a dry salad and a slice of ham per day.”
Jasmin has overhauled her diet with lots of protein, rice, fruit and yoghurts. her new lifestyle has also led to her sciatica and sleep apnea disappearing. She wore a bikini for the first time in her life earlier this year. Jasmin added: “My new diet is the easiest thing I’ve ever done because it’s changed my life. “Because of my weight, I’d be at high risk of not being able to have a baby. I love to cook and I make everything from scratch.
“I sleep like a baby, my skin is immaculate, I’ve stopped complaining of sciatica and my period has come back. I don’t recognise myself in photos anymore. People come into the salon and ask for me. They don’t know it’s me until they hear my voice. Because of my weight, I’d be at high risk of not being able to have a baby.”
“I’m not ashamed of the person I was because my body kept me safe but when I look at photos it does repulse me. If people put their mind to it, it’s 100 per cent achievable and it’s worth it. It’s given me a new lease of life and I thought I was drowning. “
DIET BEFORE:
Breakfast: Skip
Lunch: Jacket potato, lots of butter, cheese and beans
Dinner: Pasta (family-sized portion)
Snacks: Two litres of diet Coke
DIET NOW:
Breakfast: Yoghurt, fruit, protein bar
Lunch: Fruit salad
Dinner: Chicken and rice
