Standing next to my son Rhys, then 23, as we posed for a photo, I’d never felt more proud. It was June 2021 and Rhys’ graduation from university. But while I felt so happy for Rhys and wanted to capture the memory of his big day, I hated being in front of the camera. I did my best to breathe in and position myself in a way that disguised the rolls around my stomach, but wearing a size-22 elasticated-waist skirt and a white blouse, I was conscious of how big I was. And when I looked back at the photos on my phone later, I was horrified.
‘MY JOINTS ACHED AND I GASPED FOR BREATH’
‘I look even bigger
