Manchester Half participant Catherine described feeling “powerless” to weight gain which spiralled out of control from her teenage years onwards.

By her mid-forties, Catherine was not only obese: she was also a high risk covid patient suffering from multiple physical ailments. 

Catherine shared her incredibly inspiring story about how she went from powerless to empowered, as she plans to take on her first ever half marathon with us in October.

 This is her story…

CATHERINE’S STORY

From a young age, I felt like being overweight was an unfortunate part of my identity. I had a great childhood and wonderful family who encouraged my hobbies as playing field hockey (although as weight crept on as a teenager I became more self-conscious about playing sport). 

So, like most young women, I tried to lose weight through dieting. I’d form a plan ahead of a new year; or summer; or at the start of a new week – but each time I only managed to stick to it for a short time. After each failure, I would ‘drown my sorrows’ with food – my go-to snacks were baked goods, and I was also addicted to refined sugars. 

By 18, I was morbidly obese. I would sweat excessively; air travel was mortifying; and buying clothes was a nightmare. I also needed multiple medications to deal with things like high blood pressure. My whole body was in pain. The feeling of guilt and inadequacy was crippling; I knew that other people judged me. However, I was actually my own worst critic.

My life-changing moment came around the time of the pandemic when I was struggling more than ever. I live in southern Germany so I am used to being separated from my family in the UK, but this was extreme. I downed more food to help with the sadness and anxiety.

One night, I was eating on the sofa while watching a show which has characters addicted to alcohol or drugs. I suddenly realised that I was also an addict who used food to get through the ups and downs of life. I would eat in celebration, eat to drown my sorrows, eat for comfort, eat when I was stressed, eat when I was sad, eat when I was happy. Food ruled my life.

This moment gave me new motivation. I went online and found a group for people who experience problems with food and was met with kindness and understanding. After connecting with this group, I started an intensive programme of recovery. 

With the help of a dietician, I was able to cut out my problematic foods and I haven’t needed them since. I follow a food plan closely, and despite having replaced refined sugar and flour treats with whole foods, I can say that I thoroughly enjoy my diet in a way that I never did when I was overeating.

Recovery from food addiction is an intense emotional, physical and spiritual process. One of the most powerful things I learnt was that being so overweight did NOT mean I was stupid, lazy or fundamentally ‘bad’. I had a problem, but I did not need to feel ashamed.

I started running at the start of 2022, about a year after changing my diet. I was still overweight and sceptical of the ‘NHS Couch to 5k’ app, but decided to try anyway. The first week had me running for 60 seconds which I found very challenging, however, I stuck to it and couldn’t believe it when I ran my first 5k 15 weeks later!

The Manchester Half will be my first time taking on 13.1 miles and it’s going to be particularly special because I’ll be returning to the amazing city I was born in. I’ll be taking part alongside some old friends, plus my family there for support (the atmosphere will be great!)  The event is also a way to celebrate turning 50 this year and this new life I’ve been given.

For anybody who can relate to my story, I want to say that struggles with weight do NOT make you a fundamentally bad or lazy person. Also, challenge your mindset; I’ve done things I thought were never possible by replacing ‘I can’t do this’ with ‘this is really difficult right now but I can get through it’.

I hope my story has provided some hope and inspiration for anybody struggling with their weight. There is support out there in the right communities, and I believe in you to make the necessary changes to feel empowered. 

 

Thank you Catherine for sharing your amazing story; we are SO excited for you to take on your first half marathon surrounded by your friends and family. Best of luck!