CHRISTINA Park had struggled with yo-yo dieting for years – trapped in a vicious cycle of losing 4 to 8lb, then putting on 6 to 11lb.
“I felt like I had let myself down, but I also felt incredibly embarrassed that I had let this happen after raving about my weight loss so much,” she said.
The 38-year-old mum from Dorset shed 5st 5lb to get to her dream weight – then put it all back on again.
“I hid from many social situations and made excuses to avoid meeting friends I hadn’t seen for a long time,” she added.
“I was weighed down mentally as well as physically.”
Everything changed in April last year when Christina’s partner popped the question.
While thrilled, the thought of being the centre of attention filled her with dread.
“I was happy, of course – but the idea of having hundreds of photos taken and standing in front of everyone terrified me,” she said.
Desperate to feel confident on her big day, she opened up to her bridesmaids.
One mentioned Mounjaro – a weekly injection designed to help regulate blood sugar and reduce appetite.
“I’d never considered weight loss medication before,” Christina said.
“But after doing a lot of research and speaking to my maid of honour, who was keen to try it too, I decided to give it a go.”
[bc_video account_id=”5067014667001″ application_id=”” aspect_ratio=”16:9″ autoplay=”” caption=”Julia Hartley-Brewer slams government plan for NHS to offer free ‘fat jabs’ to tackle obesity crisis” embed=”in-page” experience_id=”” height=”100%” language_detection=”” max_height=”360px” max_width=”640px” min_width=”0px” mute=”” padding_top=”56%” picture_in_picture=”” player_id=”default” playlist_id=”” playsinline=”” sizing=”responsive” video_id=”6363386634112″ video_ids=”” width=”640px”]She started the treatment in August 2024 through Oushk Pharmacy.
At 15st 8lb (99kg), she set herself a goal: to feel comfortable in her skin again by her wedding day in August this year.
Since then, Christina has lost 4st 1lb (26kg) and dropped from a size 18–20 to a 12–14.
“I feel like a different person,” she said.
“I’m incredibly proud of myself. I’m more active, my habits have changed, and my confidence is growing every day.”
She even enjoyed wedding dress shopping – something she’d been dreading.
“I found my dream dress and fitted into every single one beautifully,” she explained.
“It was honestly the best experience ever.”
Christina, who shared her journey on TikTok, said her struggles with food began in childhood.
“My dad would always set restrictions on certain drinks or food I could have,” she said.
“But he would always want me to finish my plate and eat what was in front of me whether I liked it or not.
“My mother always allowed me open access to all kinds of food.
“She was a great cook and served big portions, which were mostly very rich.
“We would also often have takeaways on the nights my dad wasn’t around – he was a policeman working different shifts.”
After the birth of her son, Christina joined Slimming World weighing 15st 10lb (100kg).
She lost 5st 5lb in 13 months, but slowly gained it back over four years.
“Then Covid hit and I was back to square one weighing more than I did in 2014,” she said.
This time feels different. Christina now uses a walking pad and has built exercise into her routine.
[quote credit=”Christina Park ” credit-meta=”38″]Remember that obesity is an illness and addiction that is very hard to control[/quote]She has even started jogging – something she couldn’t manage for more than 30 seconds five months ago.
“I have a new relationship with food,” she said.
“Once the food noise is silent you just see it all so differently and make so many better choices.
“I’ve found a growing confidence, wellness, energy and overall life quality, new friends and a growing support network.
“My friends and family are super proud and incredibly happy that I have made such amazing changes to my life that have improved my life quality and happiness.
“My mother has been so amazed that she started her own Mounjaro journey a month ago.”
Christina added: “Remember that obesity is an illness and addiction that is very hard to control.
“If ‘eat less and exercise more’ was so easy, we all would have done it and be slim.
“Don’t let people tell you you are lazy and choosing the easy way out. You are looking out for yourself and taking charge of your life again for a better future.
“Mounjaro isn’t a magical pen, but it’s a tool that can aid us to change our lives for the better.”
[boxout headline=”How to blast belly fat WITHOUT going to gym or dieting”]Chew your food
This mindfulness trick is used to focus your brain on the food you are eating – how it tastes and feels – rather than scoffing it in a hurry. If the brain does not register that you have eaten, you’ll soon crave more food.
Avocado a day
Eating avocado every day can fight visceral fat in women, which collects around the organs in the stomach and can lead to diabetes, heart attack, and some cancers, according to a University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign study of 105 people.
Avoid fizzy drinks
Losing belly “fat” may just be a case of preventing bloating, which can be onset by fizzy soft drinks. Instead, keep hydrated with water.
Reduce alcohol
Alcohol does no favours at all for our health or figures. It is ’empty calories’, meaning it contributes to your calorie intake without giving any nutritional benefit.
Hangovers can also lead you to eat more fatty foods, while putting you off exercising.
Sleep more
Various studies have shown that if you’re not sleeping well, it can cause weight gain.
People are more likely to crave junk food when they are sleep deprived because, not only are they in need of an energy boost, but their appetite hormones are all over the place.
Reduce stress
Stress causes an imbalance of hormones, particularly cortisol. This hormone has been linked with obesity and excess belly fat.
Find ways to reduce your stress to avoid the so-called ‘stress belly’.