'Domino's Most Loyal Customer' Loses Nine Stone After Knee Replacement Warnings

A 24-year-old has turned her life around and lost more than nine stone after doctors warned her knees could buckle.

Claudia Whittam, from Formby, UK, used to be 22 stone and wear a 22/24 dress size, thanks to a diet comprised mainly of fast food and junk food. Tuesdays were particularly indulgent for Claudia, as she would take advantage of Domino's buy one get one free pizza deal every week.

Liverpool Echo

According to the Liverpool Echo, she said: "I wouldn't eat breakfast, I would just snack on chocolates and cakes and lunch was like cheese paninis or cheesy pasta - I don't think I had anything without cheese on.

"I was Domino's most loyal customer and would order every Tuesday because it was buy one get one free.

"So I would order two large pizzas, either pepperoni and ham and pineapple or margarita and tuna and sweetcorn.

"I would tell my mum that I would keep one for tomorrow, but would then end up eating both in one night."

By the age of 19, Claudia had dropped out of university and 'basically became a recluse' as a result of her weight.

She said: "I was so unhappy in myself. I wasn't wanting to go out anywhere because I hated having to get dressed up as I knew nothing was going to fit me.

"I basically became a recluse. I was suffering with really low moods and was just in a really bad place.

"I just couldn't do anything I wanted to do, even going up stairs was a struggle and I wouldn't be able to walk for long periods of time because my legs would hurt from carrying around my weight."

Liverpool Echo

Despite being deeply unhappy, Claudia continued with her unhealthy eating habits until a doctor's warnings shocked her into action.

She said: "I was at my heaviest of 22 stone and I went to the doctors and they basically said I was at risk of all these health problems.

"I was at risk of diabetes and they told me my weight could stop me having kids.

"They even said I could need knee replacements in the future because my knees wouldn't be able to hold my body weight. It scared me."

Claudia had previously tried several different diets and had even joined Slimming World, but had never had the determination to stick with it. However, with a new-found will, she rejoined her local Slimming World group and quickly began to see results.

Initially, Claudia was shedding around half a stone a fortnight and within a year she had lost the majority of the nine stone and three pounds she has dropped since she was at her heaviest. She has also dropped seven dress sizes to a size 10/11, however, Claudia said it is her confidence which has been transformed the most.

Liverpool Echo

She said: "I am trying to make up for lost time and I just want to give everything a go.

"I love going out with my friends, whereas before I would make up excuses and shy away from photos but it's not a problem now.

"My friends and colleagues can just see what a better person I am now and how much I have come out of my shell.

"I will have banter in work whereas before I just kept myself to myself.

"I think my mum is the most proud of me though as she has always wanted me to do it."

Good on ya' Claudia.

Topics: Domino's,

Jake Massey

Jake Massey is a journalist at LADbible. He graduated from Newcastle University, where he learnt a bit about media and a lot about living without heating. After spending a few years in Australia and New Zealand, Jake secured a role at an obscure radio station in Norwich, inadvertently becoming a real-life Alan Partridge in the process. From there, Jake became a reporter at the Eastern Daily Press. Jake enjoys playing football, listening to music and writing about himself in the third person.

@jakesmassey