Catrina Raiford was once the
world's fattest woman and was confined to bed for five years.
Catrina Raiford instantly
took a step on a strict diet when doctors had to bulldoze the side of her house
to treat her breathing problems.
Her diet only consists of
lean meat, fruit and vegetables, and a light exercise regime. Catrina has lost 36
stone so far.
"I’m so much happier now
and feel so confident. I was in bed for so long that now I’ve lost
When i was 14 years old, and
weighed 32 stone, i was admitted to a psychiatric home for eight months to try
and control my eating – but because i didn’t feel i could talk about the abuse
with anyone, the treatment didn’t help.
By the time i was 21 i was
unemployed, bedbound and living with my mum, passing my long days ‘catfishing’ men
on the internet by lying about my appearance.
"It was the worst time
of my life," she said. "I just wanted to die. Each day I’d just eat
and go online from morning to night"
With the help of specialists,
a calorie restricted diet and light exercise, she lost 21 stone naturally – after
which she was able to have gastric bypass surgery.
Catrina still has an extra 10
stone of loose skin she wants to shed
"Last year I bought my
first bikini ever. I’m really happy with myself. I don’t want my excess skin
removed for my looks. I just need the operation to help finish the process I’ve
started and improve my health".