How Dudley mum lost eight stone and set up fashion firm
A Dudley mother-of-two who lost eight stone after life-threatening health concerns has now set up her own clothing company.
Kate Turner, aged 34, from Gornal, managed to slim down to a healthy size 12 from being a size 24.
At her heaviest Mrs Turner weighed 19 stone but after a lifestyle and diet change, along with having a gastric band fitted, she now weighs just over 11 stone.
Following her weight loss, the former lecturer has decided to turn fashionista by launching her new clothing company called 'Love The Size Your In'.
"At age 25 I weighed 19 stone, just after having my first son Harry," Mrs Turner said.
"I had had a few health problems due to being overweight such as my Gall Bladder was removed, my spleen was enlarged because my gall bladder didn't work properly, a few knee operations due to excessive wear, back ache, general fatigue and I was borderline diabetic.
"I knew I had to do something as my life was being threatened by the amount of weight I was carrying.
"My partner Kieran wanted us to get married but at the size I was I didn't want to hide my wedding photographs away," she added.
In August 2010, just a year before having her second son, Ronnie, Mrs Turner decided to pay private and have a gastric band fitted which allowed her to lose four stone by January 2011.
She got married in July 2013 weighing ten-and-a-half stone.
"The sad thing is that people do judge you on your appearance, and I often had comments made to me by strangers in pubs or on the street," she continued.
"I always struggled to get nice clothes to fit, because I was young and wanted to wear what my friends did. This frustration always stayed with me and although the clothes are now not my size I have decided to launch my own store called 'Love The Size Your In'.
She continued: "I would never promote obesity, but do believe if larger people did love them selves more and accept their size, their mental health and positive frame of mind would improve too and this is a cycle on which they can improve their health and well being."
Trendy plus size slogan tee-shirts, dresses and jeans are available on her site from sizes 14 to 32.
A Facebook and Instagram page has also been set up to attract interest.
For more information visit www.lovethesizeyourin.com or www.facebook.com/lovethesizeyourin
