A Leeds woman has celebrated her new life and nine-stone weight loss achievement after bariatric surgery by fulfilling a long-term ambition to perform a tandem skydive.
Claire Clarke, 42, an insurance claims manager for a Leeds firm, had suffered with a weight problem for most of her life. She weighed almost 21 stone at her heaviest and had a BMI (Body Mass Index) of 48. That was before she had gastric bypass surgery and subsequently lost nine stone. She dropped from a dress size of 28 to a size 12-14 and now weighs around 12 stone.
One of the first things she wanted to do after losing the excess weight was to celebrate – not by eating cake but by doing a tandem skydive. She took the 15,000 ft. leap in June 2013 at Hibaldstow, Lincolnshire.
“Having the bariatric surgery set me on track for weight loss, and booking the skydive gave me something to aim for and provided the motivation to lose those last few pounds to qualify for it,” said Claire.
“The skydive was absolutely amazing! Something that would have been unimaginable prior to losing weight. It was a life-changing experience,” said Claire, whose new active lifestyle also involves participating in 10-mile charity fundraising walks and is now able to join her partner Bryan on hikes.
Claire's struggle with weight started as a child. She was the youngest of seven siblings and eating was a big part of the day when all the family came together at mealtimes.
“I loved food and would eat anything and everything. I got to the stage when I would eat even when I wasn't hungry. I forgot how to feel full. If I opened a packet of biscuits I would not stop until they were all gone.”
Claire's weight increased steadily over the years. She would embark on various diets and exercise but always put the pounds back on.
“I think I put on a confident front. I would wear a swimsuit on the beach and show the world I wasn't bothered about my size but when I was on my own the truth is, it did bother me,” she said.
