A nurse whose abusive partner of ten years would call her ‘fat and ugly’ looks unrecognisable after losing eight stone.
Michaela Nyanga, 44, from Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, spent years comfort eating to deal with the trauma of her former husband, who ’emotionally bullied’ her for years, telling her she was ‘repulsive’ and would never meet anyone else.
She decided to leave her husband – who she has chosen not to name – of 10 years on Boxing Day 2015 after he slapped her so hard around the face that he perforated her ear drum.
After numerous stressful court cases starting in 2016, her ex-partner, was found guilty of assault and breach of non-molestation order.
But due to the stress of the ordeal, mother-of-one Michaela began to pile on weight, tipping the scales at 18st and ballooning to a dress size 24 over the course of four years.
Michaela Nyanga, 44, from Huddersfield, (pictured right on her wedding day) West Yorkshire, spent years comfort eating to deal with the trauma of her former husband, who ’emotionally bullied’ her for years
She decided to leave her husband in 2015 after he slapped her so hard around the face that he perforated her ear drum, but due to the stress of the court cases ballooned to 24 stone (left). She has since lost eight stone and weighs just 10 stone (right)
‘My ex-husband had drilled into me that I was fat and ugly’, said Michaela, ‘He would often tell me that I was repulsive and would never be able to meet anyone else if I left him.
‘I was emotionally bullied for so many years that my confidence hit rock bottom.’
He was sentenced to community order for 12 months, restraining order until further order and ordered to pay £200 compensation with £620 costs, but the controlling relationship had a lasting impact on Michaela.
‘On several occasions when eating out or at home he remove my plate or pull my fork out of my mouth telling me I had eaten enough’, she told.
Her husband was sentenced to community order for 12 months, restraining order until further order and ordered to pay £200 compensation with £620 costs. Pictured, Michaela after her weight loss
After leaving her husband, Michaela knew she wanted to make a change, but had been left with debt. Pictured, Michaela after her weight loss
‘He would control the food that I was allowed to eat and I would often be left without being able to eat at home which led to bad habits of nipping out and eating fast food or meal deals in the car.’
After leaving her husband, Michaela knew she wanted to make a change, but had been left with debt and was struggling to afford healthy meals for herself and her daughter.
She explained: ‘Since managing to find the strength and courage to escape such an abusive relationship I was suddenly able to eat what I wanted when I wanted.
‘But as financially I was struggling due to the mountain of debt I had been left with food choices were often cheap and unhealthy, or some days going without to ensure my daughter had meals.’
Michaela worked 40-100 hours per month to get herself out of debt and in January this year she joined The 1:1 Diet by Cambridge Weight Plan. Pictured left, Michaela before her weight loss. Pictured right, Michaela after her weight loss
Michaela worked 40-100 hours per month to get herself out of debt and in January this year she joined The 1:1 Diet by Cambridge Weight Plan.
She has since lost 8st and is now even a consultant herself.
Michaela added: ‘I needed to become a better role model for my teenage daughter and not once during my time on plan did I take a day off for a “cheat meal”.’
‘As I’m a nurse the quick and convenient meals from The 1:1 Diet were great for me as I could eat on the go.
The mother said she committed to her weight loss as she ‘needed to become a better role model for her teenage daughter’
The mother-of-one is happier than ever since losing 8st and is now even a consultant herself
‘In just 28 weeks I achieved my target of 11st 1lb since achieving my target I have lost a further 5lb working back through the steps.
‘For the first time those words of being repulsive and not being able to meet anyone don’t continually ring through my ears.
‘I am confident and don’t need validation from someone. If I meet someone it will be when I want to and not because I’m worried what he said to me will come true.’