Woman Who Dropped ELEVEN-STONE in Order to Fit in Wedding Dress in Time for Her Tenth Wedding Anniversary

By Liana Jacob

MEET the astonishing woman who dropped an extraordinary eleven stone in less than a year in a bid to fit into her wedding dress in time for her tenth anniversary of her marriage.

Teacher’s aide and Beachbody coach, Rachelle Hosick (30), from Vandalia, Illinois, USA, has consistently struggled with her weight during primary school and most of her adult life.

In 2007 when she was 19, her wedding dress arrived but didn’t fit her, she starved herself to fit into it for the wedding.

Since then her weight yo-yo’d and by 2010 she hit her highest recorded weight of 22 stone 12 pounds while pregnant with her son.

She felt so ashamed that she avoided looking into mirrors and she struggled to fit into a stadium seat.

In February 2016, after slumping into her oversized recliner with a plate full of pizza rolls, it suddenly dawned on her that she had to make a change.

She began to chuck all the junk food she had stored in her house into the bin, whether it was used or unopened.

Joining the Beachbody community in March 2016, Rachelle complied with the 21-day fix routine; eating healthily and exercising for at least 30 minutes a day.

She ended-up shedding 11 stone one pound by April 2017, making her 10 stone one pound, and a UK dress size two to four – and was able to fit into her wedding dress again.

“I was pretty miserable. I hated the way I looked so much, I avoided mirrors at all costs. We didn’t even own a full-length mirror,” Rachelle said.

“In Illinois, you’re required to have a check-up upon entering year nine. At that check-up, my weight was such an issue, my doctor wanted me to see a nutritionist.

“I didn’t end up going, but got involved in our high school tennis team and eventually was at a healthy weight. I even played college tennis.

“I met my (now) husband and we decided to get married. When my wedding dress came in, it was too small. So, I went on a crash diet to make it fit.

“Then once our wedding day was over, it was like a free-for-all eating-wise; I didn’t have to worry about starving myself to fit into a dress anymore, so I could eat whatever I wanted.

“So, at the beginning of Feb 2016, I decided to get healthy. I didn’t know how I was going to do it, but I knew I had to.

“I was sick of missing out on doing things my husband and kids due to my size and health. I was sick of feeling bad all the time.

“I was sick of all the aches and pains I had. I was just plain sick and was ready to finally make a change and be a good example for my kids.”

Her sister introduced her to Beachbody, an American online network of fitness coaches that aim to help people stay motivated in improving their lifestyle and health, which will be expanding to the UK from October 19, 2017.

“I used 21 day-fix to achieve my weight loss. Basically, it teaches you how to eat healthy, using different size containers, and gives you a daily 30-minute workout to do. I eat real, healthy food and workout daily,” Rachelle said.

“Losing weight has completely changed my life. I used to be so ashamed of the way I looked and honestly, I felt like I was an embarrassment to my family.

“Now it is the complete opposite. My confidence is through the roof. I used to avoid going to baseball games or concerts because I couldn’t fit in the seats. Now I fit with room to spare.

“I feel so much better. I love feeling strong. I love being confident. I love being able to go out in public and not feel like people are staring at me because of my size. I even own a full-length mirror now.”

While the process, once started, was straight-forward, Rachelle says that just getting started and the initial motivation to make the change was the hardest part.

“The hardest part was just deciding to finally start,” Rachelle said.

“21-day fix was so easy to follow. I didn’t have to spend hours in a gym or feel deprived. I get to achieve amazing results just by working out in my son’s tiny little room.

“If I want pizza or tacos or burger I have them. I just make them ‘fix’ approved.”

She never used to have anyone ask her for tips on weight loss methods, but now with her new transformation, that’s all she hears from people.

“People tell me I’m an inspiration to them; that my story gives them hope. That’s just crazy to me. I’m over here just trying to be a better me and without even meaning to, I’m inspiring others to work on themselves,” Rachelle said.

“I’ve had multiple people tell me that they didn’t recognise me. They have even made the comment that they thought my husband got himself a different wife.

“In a sense, he did. He got a better version of the old me.

“If you are like I was and you aren’t sure where to start, get a Beachbody programme. Their programmes teach you the basics to lose weight, get healthy and stay healthy.

“I used 21-day fix for almost my entire weight loss. I used 21-day fix extreme to get the last one stone one pound to one stone six pounds off.”

Her highest recorded weight developed when she was pregnant with her son in 2010, reaching 22 stone 12 pounds.