'Humiliating holiday mishap led to me losing 7st - it was a blessing in disguise'

'Humiliating holiday mishap led to me losing 7st - it was a blessing in disguise' Michelle Siderfin said she wanted to cry after the embarrassing episode in Lanzarote A 16.5st mum with diabetes lost more than 7st after an embarrassing incident on holiday. Michelle Siderfin, 47, began gaining weight after having children Jonathan, 29 and Kerri, 26. She spent years "yo-yo dieting" but always regained the weight and was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. But it was when a plastic deckchair gave way beneath her on holiday that she decided to change for good. Determined to make a change after the deckchair broke when she sat down for a drink on holiday, she joined Slimming World. Soon she began to lose weight, and had less joint pain and breathlessness. Michelle's lifestyle changes meant she dropped from a size 20 at 16st 6lbs to size eight at 8st 9lbs. Not only that, but she stabilised her blood sugar levels - and now no longer needs to use insulin to control her diabetes. She has now become a weight-loss consultant herself to help others, and shared her story for Diabetes Week this week. Michelle, from Whalley Range, Manchester, said: "I tried many diets over the years, but I always felt hungry and never satisfied so I’d give up. "Over time, my weight kept creeping up and during a routine appointment with my GP he explained that I had type two diabetes and would need to go on insulin. That moment on holiday was the tipping point for me, I was so embarrassed when everyone turned to stare at me. "Before losing weight even walking upstairs made me out of breath. Now I go for walks with my family and use the stairs instead of the lift. I feel so much healthier in myself.” Married mum-of-two Michelle struggled with her weight after having children and cycled through endless short-term diets. But none seemed to work and she would always give up - as her weight continued to rise. The retail worker munched on food deliveries, including curries, kebabs and McDonald's most evenings out of convenience. She said: "I’d spent years yo-yo dieting and feeling miserable." After being diagnosed with type two diabetes, she needed to go on insulin, which made her feel even worse. She said: "I felt like I was losing control of my health and my confidence." By the time she went on a family holiday in Lanzarote summer of 2016, she was tipping the scales at 16st 6.5lbs. And her turning point came when the chair collapsed beneath her while sat outside on the patio having a drink with her family. She said: "I didn’t recognise myself anymore and I hated how I felt. We went to sit on the patio furniture outside, as I sat on the chair, the back totally snapped. "I smashed my head off the paved area, luckily I didn't cut myself, but people looked with disgust or of pity. It was so embarrassing. I didn't want my kids to see that. It was mortifying. I ran inside and cried. "I knew I had to do something not just for me, but with my daughter about to give birth, I wanted to make sure I’d be around to see my grandchildren grow up too. Something has to be the catalyst for you to make a change, and that was mine." Michelle took a leap and joined her local Slimming World group in August 2018. She was educated by a consultant on how to eat proper meals, but lower-calorie ones, so she could still lose weight. She began cooking more at home, eating filling meals and enjoying her food again, without having to sacrifice things she enjoyed. And as the weight began to drop off, Michelle was thrilled at how much healthier and more confident she felt. Michelle reached her target weight of 8st 9.5lbs in January 2025 dropping from a size 20 to a size eight. Most notably, she found her diabetes far easier to control - allowing her to feel she had "taken back control" of her health. She said: "Before losing weight living with type two diabetes was quite scary, it was a constant battle to keep my blood sugar under control as my diet really was all over the place. "It’s about balance now and enjoying a healthy lifestyle that I can stick to long-term. Everything is so much more manageable, my blood sugar is at a normal level and I feel like I’ve taken back control of my health.” She even decided to become a Slimming World consultant in April 2025, to help others like her. Michelle said: "I want other people to know that change is possible when you are kind to yourself and have the right support. "You don’t have to feel ashamed or stuck. Small changes add up to make a big difference to your health, including conditions like type two diabetes. I'll always remember stepping on those scales when I reached my target weight - it was like winning the lottery." DIET BEFORE Breakfast - Danish pastry and bag of crisps Lunch - crisp sandwich or ready meal Dinner - takeaway anything from Just Eat ordered online Drinks - Sugar cordial, Coca-Cola, sweet Starbucks coffee Snacks - chocolate and crisps DIET AFTER Breakfast - wholemeal toast and peanut butter or Weetabix and berries Lunch - Homemade vegetable soup Dinner - beef hotpot with vegetables, chicken and vegetable tray bake Drinks - Coke Zero, sugar-free Vimto