THIS woman got the ultimate revenge on her controlling boyfriend who asked her to stop losing weight because it made HIM insecure.
Kylie Hansen, 27, from Taft, California, had been obese all her life - but shed six stone after dumping her ex.
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The security administrator was a competitive swimmer and cheerleader for 12 years but piled on the pounds due to her love of fast food.
At her biggest she weighed 18st 5lb and was a UK size 22.
In 2012, Kylie realised her weight could cause health problems so went under the knife for a vertical sleeve gastrectomy on July 1, 2013.
She said: My boyfriend at the time of my surgery was not supportive.
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He felt more insecure the more I lost weight and eventually asked me to stop losing weight.
At one point, people started saying I was too small. But I didn't let it bother me.
I gradually gained the courage and confidence to leave the relationship and learned to only accept people in my life who bring the energy I needed and wanted.
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Following a rigorous diet and exercise plan, she now weighs just 12st 2lbs and has a dress size of 14-16.
Before her surgery, Kylie had a classic students' diet of ramen, cereal and frozen ready meals.
She then reduced her daily calorie intake from 2,500 calories to 1,500.
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Kylie said: Waking up from surgery and being told you can't eat that was the hardest part for me. Our brains are still wired the same. If I had a food addiction prior to surgery, I still had that addiction after surgery.
I vividly remember my first restaurant trip after the operation. I ordered clam chowder, and had to scoop out everything inside the soup except the broth. I remember crying because of how hard it was for me to not eat the foods I so badly wanted.
My entire family was obese, and we all eventually had weight loss surgery. I'm proud to say that we've all made our health a priority and are living our best lives. It's been great having each of them for support.
Kylie's diet
THEN
Breakfast: Cereal
Lunch: Ramen
Dinner: Frozen ready meal
NOW
Breakfast: Two eggs, one slice of toast and brocolli
Snacks: Superfood shakes and peanut butter apples
Lunch: Ground turkey with vegetables
Dinner: Grilled chicken with sweet potato and beans
After splitting from her ex, Kylie went onto marry Jacob, 28, a friend from school. He's in the Army and the couple share two-year-old son Jameson.
She now exercises for at least half an hour a day and steers clear of processed food.
Kylie said: I struggled with becoming obsessive to the idea of being skinny something I had never experienced before.
I struggled with my addiction to food and had to train my brain to want and crave foods that fuelled my body and not order the amount of food I was previously eating.
I struggled when I reached my three-year post-op mark. I became addicted to losing weight and it was my only priority at the time. I was very self-conscious and still saw my 260lbs body in the mirror.
But over six years on, the quality of my life is much better. I can do things I wasn't able to do before. I love running and now turn to exercise as my stress reliever.
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I have learned that I need to be a good example for my son and future children. I have learned how mentally tough I am, and how much work it takes - mentally and physically - to be on a health journey.
I have learned to love the struggle and the journey. I love my body and will continue to love it while I work on my goals.
There are foods to eat that help you reach your goals, and there are foods that won't. If I splurge and eat a bad food
I will definitely notice a difference in how I feel and the scales go up.
I have to be extra careful to decide if I really want the food or if it is just a temporary feeling.
Start with nutrition. Learn how to eat to fuel your body. If you feel you have a food addiction, work on that. Slowly start incorporating exercise.
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The journey has definitely helped mould me into the person I am today, and I am so glad I now prioritise my health and hope to inspire others to do the same.
I had no idea how much my life would change after I grabbed my health by the horns.
We previously spoke to a size 24 mum who lost 10 stone in a year to half her body weight after she couldn't fit into a plane seat.
Read more here:
Weight loss: I got a revenge body after my controlling boyfriend asked me to STOP slimming as it made him - The Sun
