Teacher who lost a whopping 18 STONE says she thought she would die on the operating table if she opted for surgery and felt like a ‘hypocrite’ telling pupils to eat healthily

A teacher who has lost a whopping 18 stone has said she thought she would die on the operating table if she opted for surgery and felt like a ‘hypocrite’ for telling her pupils to eat healthy.

Kelly Barker, 43, once weighed more than 28 stone and feared she would die if she opted for bariatric surgery.

But she has since lost almost two-thirds of her body weight and now enjoys kayaking, rock climbing and hiking with her teenage son.

Kelly, who lives in St Helens with her 15-year-old son Josh, says she felt like a “hypocrite” teaching children about health while regularly being in a lot of pain because of her weight.

She explains: ‘I have always loved my job as a teacher, but I often felt like a hypocrite, especially when teaching the children about healthy eating and being active.

But Kelly (pictured before her weight loss) has since lost almost two-thirds of her body weight and now enjoys kayaking, rock climbing and falling with her teenage son.

‘My joints and back ached after a day of teaching and although I put a smile on my face, I just felt like an impostor.

‘I have no doubt that losing weight saved my life – and today it’s a life worth living.’

Kelly confessed that her wake-up call to kick-start her health journey came when her doctor recommended weight-loss surgery.

She said: ‘I researched the procedure and knew my weight put me at high risk of anaesthesia. I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was going to die on the operating table.’

Kelly admits that weight is something she has struggled with her entire life, dating back to her childhood.

She says: ‘As a child I was given a special diet and had to be weighed at school.

‘While the other children ate fish and chips, I had to eat a separate meal – usually something bland, like boiled fish and potatoes.

“It made me believe that weight loss was miserable, embarrassing and shameful, and it didn’t work: I gained weight every year into adulthood.”

Kelly admits that her time in college only increased her weight further, putting her in a “vicious cycle of comfort eating” that lasted for years.

After Kelly was recommended weight loss surgery, she contacted her cousin Fiona, a Slimming World Consultant, and decided to join the program.

Kelly said she was “surrounded by warmth, kindness and compassion” from the moment she joined the group. Even though the new process was a bit scary for her, it was the support she needed.

Kelly, who lives in St Helens with her 15-year-old son Josh, says she felt like a ‘hypocrite’ teaching children about health while regularly being in a lot of pain because of her weight (pictured here at the age of 28). stone)

Kelly started cooking from scratch and developed healthier habits around food – which has now led to her feeling ‘proud’ to show others the fresh food she enjoys, boosting her confidence and improving her relationship with her son has even improved (photo: Kelly after her weight loss)

Kelly explained: ‘I can’t lie, stepping on the scales for the first time was daunting – not least because I was terrified I’d be too heavy for them to weigh me (fortunately they could).

“Although that number was scary, it also felt like the start of something.

Kelly started cooking from scratch and building healthier habits around food – which has now led to her feeling ‘proud’ to show others the fresh food she enjoys, boosting her confidence and even improving her relationship her son has improved.

She said: ‘Losing 18 has obviously been fantastic for my health and my self-confidence, but the best thing that can happen is the relationship I have with my son now.

“I no longer feel like I’m embarrassing him, and he tells me he’s proud of what I’ve accomplished.”

Kelly (pictured before her weight loss) admits her time at university only made her gain more weight, putting her in a ‘vicious cycle of comfort eating’ that lasted for years

She has been named Slimming World’s Woman of the Year 2023 for her incredible weight loss journey (Pictured: Kelly after her weight loss with the Slimming World award)

‘He’s a provincial and regional level swimmer, so being more attuned to my own activity level and nutrition has brought us so much closer together.’

Kelly started getting active herself: “My activity level before I lost weight was virtually zero.

‘As my journey progressed, I noticed I had so much more energy – so then [my son] Josh suggests he now falls while hiking, rock climbing or kayaking. I’m excited to compete instead of worrying about going over the weight limits.

‘We recently went on holiday to the Lake District. As I sat on top of the waterfall after a tough climb, I looked at the view of the lake below and tears welled in my eyes. I thought about how much I had missed, all those beautiful views and experiences.’

Kelly’s meals used to consist of cakes, pastries, sandwiches, chips, takeaway pizza and sweet snacks such as cookies, chocolate and cake, but now she makes overnight oats with yoghurt and lots of fruit, soups, salads, rice, chips in the air fryer, homemade curries and ‘smaller’ chocolate bars.

She has been named Slimming World’s Woman of the Year 2023 for her incredible weight loss journey.