A former takeaway addict who spent nearly £3k a year on fast food decided to lose 8st after a stranger's cruel comments.
Makeda Roberts, 27, began her weight loss journey in January 2021 after a man called her a "fat b***h". The abusive remark led Makeda to joining Slimming World. She also started 'at home' workouts.
After nearly two years, she dropped from 19 stone to 11 stone and went from a size 22 to a size 10. When she began her journey to losing weight, Makeda completely cut out fried chicken and chips.
While she used to have her favourite takeaway three times a week - spending an average of £50 a week - she now says that she is grateful for the horrible comment as it inspired her to turn her life around a prioritise her health. Makeda, a customer service associate, from Croydon, South London, said: "I've always struggled with my weight but yo-yoed throughout my twenties and teenage years.
"Someone in the street on a bike stopped me and shouted - 'you're beautiful'. They then turned and said: 'I'm joking you're a fat b****.'
"I just thought I have to sort myself out - I didn't want words to hurt me anymore. I was addicted to fried chicken - I would eat it three times a week from Morleys. I would have six wings and chips, from KFC a three piece chicken box meal and burger."
Now, Makeda goes to her Slimming World groups once a week where she undergoes a weight check every Tuesday. "I joined Slimming World and started doing Insanity workouts four times a week," she said.
"Now I feel great, I'm fit and I can walk up the stairs without getting out of breath". She added: "When I left school and went to college and university, I had no self-control the pounds piled on over the years.
"Lockdown made it a lot worse. I would eat fried chicken and chips every day and a lot of fizzy drinks. I loved burgers, kebabs and McDonalds too, but I haven't touched junk food since I started my weight loss journey.
"I haven't eaten fried chicken, pizza and McDonalds for a year - I've forgotten what it tastes like. I have an addictive personality so I know if I had one bite of a burger that would be it."
Makeda decided to swap out the chicken and chips for salmon and broccoli while also focusing on homecooked meals. She said: "I have tunnel vision. I'll pick up a healthy cereal bar instead of biscuits.
"I still like to go out and party, but I see having a drink as my treat now. I won't end my night with chicken and chips anymore - I will genuinely get home at 5am and cook - eggs, tinned salmon.
"Before I didn't know how to cook." Despite her insane weight loss, Makeda hasn't set food in a gym.
Instead, she does four high-intensity 'Insanity' workouts in her own home. Makeda added: "People have accused me of taking pills but it is all diet and exercise - everyone is so shocked.
"I've stuck to it and pushed so hard. People think it's a quick fix solution but it's hard work and dedication - it doesn't drop off there and then. My target weight is 10 stone so I'm still not where I want to be, but I feel like my confidence is better.
"I wear things I would never wear before and I've lost weight everywhere, even on my hands and feet. Some of my shoes are too big now.
"I want to help others keep pushing on and inspire them to not ever give up."
Makeda's diet and exercise regime
Before
Breakfast - A chocolate bar followed by a full English breakfast
Lunch - A meal deal - a BLT, a chocolate bar, crisps
or Chicken and dumplings from a Caribbean shop
Dinner - Oven food or fried rice with chicken swimming in oil. Spaghetti Bolognese and lasagne with shop bought sauce, smothered in ketchup. Chips with everything
Snacks - biscuits, crisps and Haribo
Drinks - Full fat fizzy drinks, coca cola and Irn Bru
After
Breakfast - Blueberries, blackberries, pineapples with a green tea
Lunch - A cereal bar or a chicken salad or
Dinner - Salmon, potatoes and broccoli. Sea bass and rice. Mediterranean pasta
Fibre one bars, Alpen bars, crackers with cucumbers, peppers, lettuce, 25g of tortilla crisps
Drinks - Diet lemonade, water, green tea
Exercise regime
Three insanity work outs a week- cardio, ab-attack and max-out cardio and cardio challenge.
Read next:
- Man 'acquiring' lead plunged to his death through roof of derelict mill, inquest hears
- Emergency three-hour blackouts are a real possibility in Greater Manchester this winter - this is how they would impact millions of people
- The fairy tale hall an hour’s drive from Manchester you need to visit this Christmas
- Boy, 16, charged with murder following fatal stabbing of teenager Kyle Hackland
- 'Dangerous sexual predators' locked up for horrific rape on woman after she was refused entry to nightclub for being drunk
