Marmite and toast addict loses the weight of two people after tragic health news
A woman who would devour 12 slices of toast with marmite a day lost more than half of her body weight after being diagnosed with terminal liver failure.
Mum-of-two Simone Robertson weighed 28st and would struggle to squeeze into a size 32 before her devastating diagnosis.
She piled on the pounds after having two difficult pregnancies and becoming a 'borderline recluse' - using savoury snacks as a comfort.
The 32-year-old was addicted to white carbs, including potatoes, bread, cheese and onion crisps, and could ''at her worst'' easily scoff half a loaf per day.
At her biggest, Simone was ''barely able to go up a few steps'' and once had to ring her mum, Tammy Kent, 51, during the school run to ask for a lift as she was in "too much pain" to walk further, the Manchester Evening News reports.
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But her life completely changed when doctors told her she had life-threatening cirrhosis of the liver due to her weight.
After her diagnosis in July 2021, doctors recommended weight loss surgery to help prolong her life, but Simone was determined to do it herself.
Simone Robertson before her dramatic weight loss (Simone Robertson / SWNS)
Simone's liver is now 'pretty much' back to full health (Simone Robertson / SWNS)Being married to Danny Robertson, 39, a baker, "made things tricky" as he'd regularly bring home a variety of baked goods - however she now declines any invites to try his creations, even shunning her own handmade birthday cake.
In just 18 months, she lost over 16 stone and went down to a dress size 10 by cutting out carbs and processed foods and swapping them for lean meats and lots of fresh vegetables.
The former factory worker, who is now a stay-at-home mum, even bought a specialist £500 exercise bike to accommodate her large frame - which she used while watching cooking shows, Like MasterChef and Nigella on TV.
Simone - who now tips the scales at 11st 6lbs - said: ''I can't actually believe the difference it has made to my life.
I thought I was going to die but the doctors are amazed as scans show my liver is pretty much back to full health.
''I'd tried dieting for years and had no luck, nothing seemed to work for me but reaching rock bottom I just knew I had to stick at it this time. I had to be around for my kids and my husband.
''It was hard giving up all the foods I loved, toast is literally my favourite food in the whole world, but it was worth it. I now steer clear of anything processed and only eat good, fresh healthy meals. People literally don't recognise me now.
Simone piled on the pounds after having two difficult pregnancies (Simone Robertson / SWNS)
She said the weight loss has 'transformed' her life (Simone Robertson / SWNS)''My aunt, Cheryl, 53, who I'm really close to had to do a double take on the street the other day after I hadn't seen her for a few months. It's amazing to think how far I've come.''
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While Simone admits she was always a ''bigger girl'', she says her weight really got out of control after having her sons - Lucas, seven, and Aiden, three.
After two c-sections, she lost confidence, became anxious and used food as an emotional support.
She said: "I didn't really have a sweet tooth, but I could eat tonnes of white carbs. I just loved them - I could eat up to 12 pieces of toast a day.
''I was mentally exhausted being at home with two young kids and on top of that I developed really bad back pain which left me in agony. After a while I ended up barely going out and became quite miserable.
''My weight was slowly creeping up as I was eating too much and barely doing any exercise. I hated what I was doing to my body and would sometimes go on crash diets and starve myself for a bit and then binge, it was really unhealthy.''
At the beginning of 2021, Simone became seriously unwell with severe back and stomach pains meaning she could barely walk.
But doctors would usually attribute any issues to her weight, meaning she was left in agony for six months without a diagnosis.
The mum-of-two now largely sticks to healthy home-cooked meals (Simone Robertson / SWNS)
Simone now loves being active with her children (Simone Robertson / SWNS)This was until her GP noticed she had very high liver enzyme levels and sent her for an ultrasound and other tests. at West Suffolk Hospital, Bury St Edmunds.
Simone, who has also chopped her hair into a short bob to further complete her transformation, said: ''I could tell it wasn't good news as the woman doing the scan, who I'd been happily chatting away to, went really quiet - the whole atmosphere changed.
''It was really scary. I'd only ever heard of cirrhosis in alcoholics.
''They basically said there was no way to reverse it but if I lost weight, I could stop the progression and might even need a transplant one day. At first, I was in total denial about it all as I tried to process it.''
After coming to terms with her diagnosis, Simone began her journey to health in September 2021.
The former carb addict cut out all bread and crisps and began to set time aside each day to use her indoor exercise bike.
Within weeks the pounds started dropping off and she's now down to a healthy 11st 6lbs. ''I can't believe how far I've come in just 18 months,'' Simone - who is also step-mum to Jack, 13 - said: ''I literally thought I wouldn't see my kids grow up at one point.
''I could barely do the school run and now look at me. I love walking and being active with my kids now. It's transformed our lives.
''I do miss bread and crisps but haven't touched them for two years and don't intend to, it's a slippery slope. I do sometimes treat myself to a meal out but I'm careful about what I have.
''Usually I'll just have healthy, home cooked meals, mainly chicken or fish with steamed veg. It can get a bit samey but I'm healthy and that's the main thing.
''It's looking like my liver might even have repaired itself too which is really rare and quite unheard of. I feel so lucky.''
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