Jaw-dropping transformation of woman dumped by 'toxic' boyfriend for being 'fat'
At just 13 years old, Alida Dreyer was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS).
Symptoms of the often overlooked condition include irregular periods, hair loss, and weight gain. It can also cause major issues with fertility and has no cure. Dreyer says this was where her weight struggles began, as she was bullied at school and was suffering from self-harm and suicidal thoughts.
At 27, the woman had found herself helplessly trapped in a vicious cycle where she'd regularly binge on takeaways and sugary treats. She weighed 22st 11lbs at her heaviest, which ultimately led to a heart-breaking moment in 2016 when doctors warned her she would struggle to conceive - despite her hopes to become a parent. Instead of staying by her side during this tough period - her cruel partner left.
Alida, of Sydney, Australia, suffered with weight gain since she was a child (MDWfeatures / Alida Dreyer)Back in 2020, she said: "I always wanted to be a mother. When I was 23, I was trying to have a baby and was told that I would not be able to conceive at the size I was. A month later my toxic relationship ended, and my world came crashing down. I was stripped to the absolute core and forced to take a look at myself. From that day on I decided I had to learn to love myself."
So, the finance service analyst decided to ditch the fast food for healthy home-cooked meals, and started to exercise more. Alida, from Sydney, Australia, managed to drop 6st 4lbs and lost another 5st 12lbs through vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG) surgery. In total she lost 12st 2lbs within just one year and went down to a UK dress size 8.
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Alida says she feels happier now than she's ever been (MDWfeatures / Alida Dreyer)She continued: "Most people are kind about my weight loss they tell me I'm an inspiration and they congratulate me for losing so much. Some people even tell me it can't be me in the before picture. They even tell me I must be lying, and it can’t be real. I am strong, I am confident, and I am worthy. I believe that I’m worthy to live a life that I want to live, a life that I am proud of.
"Some people even tell me it can't be me in the before picture. They even tell me I must be lying, and it can't be real. I am strong, I am confident, and I am worthy. I believe that I'm worthy to live a life that I want to live, a life that I am proud of.
"When I look into the mirror now, I smile. I love each of my scars, they tell a different story of strength and of overcoming my demons." But recalling her weight gain, she said: "I have always been the 'big girl' ever since I can remember.
The finance service analyst lost 12 stone in 12 months (MDWfeatures / Alida Dreyer)"Whilst I could blame having 'fat genes' from both sides of my family or PCOS from aged 13, I was still given the tools to live a lifestyle that would prevent weight gain and chose not to use them. It was my addiction to food that lead to my weight. This addiction was fuelled by a difficult relationship with my mother who reminded me I was fat and shouldn’t be eating the foods I was."
Alida said at her heaviest she would struggle to walk 100m without her calves 'cramping' and her legs 'chafing so bad' she would bleed. She says even her own family would taunt her for being 'fat' - which would often end in her running to the bathroom to cry.
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