WEIGHT OFF
I was so fat my calf BURST and kids called me a beached whale – now I’ve shed 10st without pills or surgery
Erin, who tipped the scales at 22 stone, share her top tips to shed the pounds
A MUM so overweight that her calf burst underneath now looks unrecognisable after she shed 10st without pills or surgery.
Erin Drotleff began gaining weight in school, where classmates cruelly nicknamed her "thunder thighs" and "beached whale."
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Sadly, the cruel comments didn’t stop at the school gates.
At home, Erin, from Texas, US endured similarly hurtful taunts, which eventually triggered a severe eating disorder.
"It wasn’t long before I became a closet binge eater with a horrible relationship with food," she said.
"I was constantly yo-yo dieting and basing my self-worth on the number on the scale."
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Now a mum of three, Erin has tried various diets, from Atkins to weight-loss drugs, but none proved effective in the long run.
She'd lose weight, just to regain it again.
At her largest, Erin weighed 22 stone.
"I was obese, my asthma was terrible, and I was often out of breath," she admitted.
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"I had severe foot pain (plantar fasciitis), back pain, heavy periods, and I would get sweat rashes.
"Mentally, I was anxious, depressed, and angry. I didn’t feel like myself anymore," she added.
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In 2022, Erin attended a parent-teacher conference at her child’s school.
As she was walking down the hallway towards her daughter's classroom Erin's calf "burst".
"I heard a loud pop and immediately felt indescribable pain," she recalled.
"I sat through the conference sweating until my husband got to the school and was able to help me back to my car," she said.
"I knew in that moment that I needed to lose weight," she added.
It took Erin three months to see the scale move.
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By the fifth month, she had lost just over one stone, and her weight kept dropping over the following months.
She decided to share her progress on TikTok for others to see.
Since then, she has lost nearly 10 stone, bringing her weight down to an impressive 12 stone.
"It was motivating to hear about other women who had lost weight; their stories helped me so much with my own weight loss," she said.
"I then started sharing my tips, recipes and favourite healthy foods."
Erin starts her day with greens and coffee, followed by a protein-packed breakfast like oats or eggs.
Lunch and dinner contain protein, jasmine rice, veggies, and a sauce.
"I always save room for a nighttime snack to avoid any late-night binge," she added.
The NHS 12-step plan to help you lose weight
FROM faddy diets to dodgy detoxes - most of us have heard it all before when it comes to weight loss.
But burning fat can be easy and mostly free.
In fact, the NHS has a whole load of medically-approved tips for weight loss and shedding body fat once and for all...
- Don't skip breakfast
Skipping breakfast will not help you lose weight. You could miss out on essential nutrients and you may end up snacking more throughout the day because you feel hungry. - Eat regular meals
Eating at regular times during the day helps burn calories at a faster rate. It also reduces the temptation to snack on foods high in fat and sugar. - Eat plenty of fruit and veg
Fruit and veg are low in calories and fat, and high in fibre – 3 essential ingredients for successful weight loss. They also contain plenty of vitamins and minerals. - Get more active
Being active is key to losing weight and keeping it off. As well as providing lots of health benefits, exercise can help burn off the excess calories you cannot lose through diet alone. - Drink lots of water
People sometimes confuse thirst with hunger. You can end up consuming extra calories when a glass of water is really what you need. - Eat high fibre foods
Foods containing lots of fibre can help keep you feeling full, which is perfect for losing weight. Fibre is only found in food from plants, such as fruit and veg, oats, wholegrain bread, brown rice and pasta, and beans, peas and lentils. - Read food labels
Knowing how to read food labels can help you choose healthier options. Use the calorie information to work out how a particular food fits into your daily calorie allowance on the weight loss plan. - Use a smaller plate
Using smaller plates can help you eat smaller portions. By using smaller plates and bowls, you may be able to gradually get used to eating smaller portions without going hungry. It takes about 20 minutes for the stomach to tell the brain it's full, so eat slowly and stop eating before you feel full. - Don't ban foods
Do not ban any foods from your weight loss plan, especially the ones you like. Banning foods will only make you crave them more. There's no reason you cannot enjoy the occasional treat as long as you stay within your daily calorie allowance. - Don't stock junk food
To avoid temptation, do not stock junk food – such as chocolate, biscuits, crisps and sweet fizzy drinks – at home. Instead, opt for healthy snacks, such as fruit, unsalted rice cakes, oat cakes, unsalted or unsweetened popcorn, and fruit juice. - Cut down on alcohol
A standard glass of wine can contain as many calories as a piece of chocolate. Over time, drinking too much can easily contribute to weight gain. - Plan your meals
Try to plan your breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks for the week, making sure you stick to your calorie allowance. You may find it helpful to make a weekly shopping list.
Exercise has also helped Erin shed the pounds.
“Walking has always been my go-to,” Erin added.
“But six months in, I started weight training and aim for three sessions a week.
"I also challenge myself to run, even though I hate it!”
In January 2024, Erin launched , her online coaching business which includes a four-week meal plan to help people start their weight loss journey.
"Right after it launched, people from all over the world started messaging me, saying they were losing weight with it," said.
Looking to the future, Erin is focused on growing her business while staying committed to helping others.
"My advice to those wanting to lose weight is - don’t overcomplicate it.
"Focus on nutrition over the exercise and give it time.
"Be patient as you become someone you have never been before. Motivation won’t be constant, so stop waiting for it to get started.
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"When you mess up, get back on track; don't dwell on it.
“A cheat meal is ok, but it does not need to become a cheat day,” she concluded.
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