Suzanne Evans, a mum from Hereford, experienced “the worst feeling” after her doctor gave her just four weeks to leave due to her weight – at the age of just 40
A determined mum defied medics to lose some 20 stone – after doctors told her she had just weeks to live because of her weight.
Suzanne Evans tipped the scales at more than 31 stone at her heaviest, and used a wheelchair for years because she struggled to walk more than a few steps due to her size. Doctors told Suzanne, 40, her kidneys and liver were shutting down and her heart was under near-unbearable strain.
And so the mum of two “knew something had to change” and tackled to fight the flab, losing 20 stone to weigh just 11st 4lb now. She credits her mentality and changes to her diet, which is now full of fruit and vegetables as well as nutritious home-cooked meals.
Recalling her health struggle, Suzanne said: “When you look in the doctor’s eyes and see they’re scared, you know you’re in trouble. It was the worst feeling and I was in the worst place.
“I didn’t want to be 31 stone… Doctors said I was so ill because of my weight, but they didn’t have faith in me that I would fight so hard to lose the weight. They thought the damage had been done.”
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Suzanne was at risk of organ failure, and became so concerned she recorded videos for her sons – then aged 10 and 13 – “to watch if I wasn’t there any more”. This pain, coupled with the loss of her dad Tony, encouraged Suzanne to tackle her size and she overhauled her diet.
Joining Slimming World, the mum battled sugar withdrawal but slowly started to shed the pounds. When her doctor saw her walk unaided for the first time in a significant period, the medic was in tears.
Suzanne, from Hereford, said: “I started incorporating walking into my daily routine. Just a few steps at first until I could do more. Eventually I was able to take the dog for a walk and it felt great.
“My doctor cried a year later when I walked into the surgery. It was the first time they’d seen me walk in a long time… People have noticed my weight loss and ask me what I have done to lose so much weight. I tell them it is all down to determination, willpower and Slimming World. I just made the decision to change my life and live… I am so proud of myself for making it happen.”
Suzanne now eats two healthy meals each day, often including a chicken stir fry. She exercises more now too, sometimes alongside sons Gethin, now 19, and 16-year-old Evan. Reflecting on her incredible changes, Suzanne continued: “I became addicted to sugar – I would just eat anything sweet. Being 31 stone, I’d eat all day all night. There was always something in my hand.
“I recorded videos for them (her sons) to watch if I wasn’t there any more. It was emotional. But I was determined to lose weight and improve my health for them.”