A MOTHER who was so fed up with her size she said she would have gladly had her legs removed has celebrated hitting a remarkable weight loss milestone.

In January 2020, Michelle Hewitt pleaded with her GP to be seen by an orthopaedic surgeon due to hip pain she had suffered with since birth.

But the 41-year-old from Colchester was delivered a devastating blow when told frankly there would be no operation while she weighed more than 17 stone.

Her condition caused her mental health to plummet with the extra weight she held playing havoc with the arthritis in her hips while hurting her back and causing fatigue.

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Yet after being self-conscious when leaving the house, Michelle has now shifted four stone and seven pounds and relishes special time chasing around after her young boys.

“Being overweight kept me more isolated and conscious when I did go out,” said Michelle. “Really my mental health was suffering but I could only focus on the physical side.

“Towards the end of 2019 I couldn’t cope any longer. If someone could have come and removed my legs I would have let them.”

But after visiting Slimming World Colchester, the mum-of-two devised a masterplan to get back to feeling her best again and she hasn’t looked back since, having also now had her hip replacement.

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“I still battle demons and can be my worst enemy but I recognise it now, don’t pressurise myself and continue with belief and the weight continues to come off.

“I now don’t mind being in photos whereas before I would avoid them or just be that arm or hand caught in the image. I didn’t want to be an invisible mum and now I am not.

“When I was bigger I wanted to hide away, to wear clothes which meant I blended in and would select situations I’d put myself in.

“Having lost this weight I now have more energy to chase around after my boys; I don’t get so out of breath and am more motivated to do things.

“It has changed my life and I hope my story shows other people they can do it too.”