THE feeling of dread filled Chelsey Goold's stomach as she imagined walking down the aisle in a size 20 wedding dress.
The health and social care student, 24, had ballooned to a staggering 18 stone after gorging on 10,000-worth of takeaways a year and chomping her way through two dinners a night.
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And the prospect of hundreds of wedding guests seeing how big she'd become on her special day made her feel sick to the stomach.
Determined to do something about her size, Chelsey overhauled her diet and had a gastric sleeve operation on the NHS.
She has since managed to shed an incredible nine stone before tying the knot to her husband Owen, 30, who she met on Plenty of Fish.
Chelsey, from Cumbernauld, Scotland, said: "Wearing my wedding dress after losing all that weight felt amazing.
"I was so surprised when it fit.
"Being told I looked stunning all day took a bit of getting used to, to be honest."
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Chelsey admits her weight spiralled out of control after her ex and their bad relationship drove her to splurge up to 30 a day on greasy meals.
She would munch on curries, Big Macs and chip shop dinners to desperately deal with the upset her former partner was causing her.
Chelsey soon realised the huge toll the weight was having on her life - as she struggled to walk just a few steps and she couldn't even tie her shoelaces as her waistline expanded.
Desperate to not let the weight ruin her life, she ended her dead-end relationship and set off on her weight loss journey.
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She met her partner Owen in May 2018 and he quickly helped her transform her life and stay on track with shedding the pounds.
At first, Chelsey lost just two stone in a year but when her obesity left her unable to walk she had a gastric sleeve fitted on the NHS in September 2018.
As the months passed, she enjoyed watching the weight melt away.
Wearing my wedding dress after losing all that weight felt amazing. I was so surprised when it fit
And before she knew it, she was ordering a size 16 wedding dress - something she never dreamt was possible.
Three weeks before her wedding in July this year, she was amazed to try on the gown and was stunned that she even had to send it off for alterations.
Chelsey said: "My wedding dress was ordered from America and it arrived just four weeks before the wedding.
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"It was altered around three weeks before the big day to a size 12.
"On the day I felt amazing. I have much more self worth and confidence now.
"It took me three years to get the gastric sleeve. You need to prove that you're in the right headspace and that you're not going to waste the opportunity.
"Now I have the support of a wonderful husband and feel a lot better about myself.
"The surgery changed a lot. I've got the support I need now and I know anything is possible.
"I had to re-programme my brain when it came to food and I've learnt a lot.
"I'm at my target weight now and will be keeping at it."
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When she first started her search of love more than a year ago, Chelsey never imagined she would be settling down into married life already.
But she admits finding love and being able to rely on Owen possibly saved her life.
Chelsey said: "I have always had problems with my weight and due to the situation with my ex, it was made worse.
"The relationship triggered me to put on weight.
"I was eating takeaways all the time and snacking on sweets and chocolate.
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"I left my ex and went on dating sites. I joined Plenty of Fish and which is where I met Owen.
"When I joined it I was so self conscious. Dating online is difficult as it is and people tend to be on it for just one thing.
"I was diabetic at the time and decided to go to the doctors because I couldn't walk properly without turning red or being out of breath.
"It feels so good to go to the shops and pick any clothes you want, knowing they'll fit."
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Owen has credited his wife for her determination and says he is "proud" of how far she has come.
He said: "She has done so well. [It's] made her more confident and she has a new outlook on life as she is trying and experiencing new challenges in life, such as wearing bikinis and clothes that are a better fit.
"I see a more vibrant outgoing and a I can do anything Chelsey attitude I'm so proud of her."
Chelsey says she is happier than ever and even says her weight loss saved her from an early grave.
She added:"After being in a one-sided relationship for years, I felt really proud of myself.
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"Before I couldn't walk even a few steps. I can even tie my shoelaces again.
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"I can now walk without turning red and getting out of breath.
"I saved myself from a heart attack. I'm ashamed of how I used to be.
"Now, I feel like a normal person again and have such a healthier life."
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Weight loss: Bride-to-be lost 9st to wear her dream dress after ex drove her to 30-a-day takeaway ad - The Sun
