Freya Symons knew it was a time to make a change when she found herself checking the size of restaurant chairs before going out to eat. And seeing her stunning transformation is so inspiring!
Freya Symons from Andover in Hampshire, England says she was always "bigger than my friends for my entire life." But tragedy eventually caused her weight to really spiral out of control.
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After suffering three heartbreaking miscarriages, Freya turned to food for comfort. Only, this coping mechanism created a vicious and dangerous cycle.
As Freya ate more, she gained more weight. And as she packed on more pounds, her self-image grew worse and worse.
“I would wake up every morning and while looking in the mirror I would tell myself I looked disgusting," she explained. "I felt depressed so I ate more to compensate but then I ended up feeling even worse."
@MetroUK exclusive - Woman who wouldn’t go to restaurants without researching the size of the chairs loses 10 stone https://t.co/3VC1qzlNbF pic.twitter.com/7mStYdSqTM
— Brad Jolly (@bradjolly92) October 9, 2020
At her heaviest, Freya Symons weighed nearly 400 pounds. And in addition to the unhappiness with her appearance, the excessive weight caused plenty of other problems for the UK woman, too.
Walking was torture and caused unbearable pain in Freya's knees. And while on a cruise, Freya felt humiliated to discover she couldn't fit into any of the chairs.
"I was left in tears as I was so embarrassed," she said.
After that, eating out became a big challenge.
"I was terrified of going somewhere new and not being able to fit in the seats," she explained.
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It got to where, before dining out, Freya first conducted a search double-checking the size of the restaurant's chairs. And it was then Freya realized she needed to make a change.
Doctors had already been urging her to try losing weight to help with her fertility issues. And with the added complications and self-loathing her weight gain brought with it, Freya Symons committed herself to a healthy transformation journey.
She began her journey with gastric sleeve surgery.
"Surgery is no way the easy route to lose weight but I felt like it was my only option after exhausting so many diets over the years," Freya explained.
But, of course, surgery alone wouldn't be enough. Freya completely revamped her diet and lifestyle.
She cut back to healthy portion sizes and replaced sugary snacks with protein-based foods. She also became physically active. And most importantly, Freya remained consistent and committed to the healthy changes she made.
Freya Symons' hard work and commitment paid off, helping her shed around 140 pounds!
"I’ve gone from a size 32 or 34 at my biggest to 16 or 18 now," she proudly shared. "A lot of people have said I look unrecognisable but I also feel like a new person too."
Freya documents her weight loss journey on Instagram, which offers accountability. But it also serves as inspiration for her and others as she continues to push toward her goal weight of about 170 pounds.
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"I feel and look like a different person and I can’t wait to hit my goal weight of 12st," she said.
Weight goals are helpful but the improvement Freya Symons sees in her overall health and life is what really counts. She's now enjoying life as God intended. And that's what makes her transformation story so inspiring.
No matter what number pops up when we step on a scale, God loves us. But He does expect us to take care of our bodies and our health.
"Or don't you know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit which is in you, which you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. Therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's." 1 Corinthians 6: 19-20
He has a purpose and calling for each one of us. And it's up to us to make sure we are ready to answer the call.
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No matter what struggles or journeys we go through, God can use all of it for something greater!
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort; who comforts us in all our affliction, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, through the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God." 2 Corinthians 1: 3-4
h/t: The Epoch Times
Featured Image Credit: Twitter/Brad Jolly
Mel is the senior writer for GodUpdates, finding, writing and sharing Christian, uplifting, and health-related stories from around the world. Mel has a passion for writing and graduated with a degree in English from Randolph-Macon College in Virginia. When she’s not researching and writing stories, Mel is very active in her church. You can usually find Mel playing board games with her husband and two young girls, giving someone a hug, or hunting down a good cup of coffee!