A MUM of two who used to stuff four packets of crisps at one ‘sitting’ is looking forward to a healthier and happier year after ditching three stone in weight.

Jenny Lee felt constantly unwell, but blamed it on the stresses of bringing up her young boys.

But when she could put up with it no longer, she went to see her GP and a series of tests showed she had Crohn’s disease.

Jenny said: “It’s not nice feeling poorly all the time.

“I was so lethargic and family time was spoilt by my lack of ability to do anything.

“We have a family caravan at the top of a steep hill and used to make a game of the boys dragging me up the hill.

“They thought it was fun, but I was feeling embarrassed because I wanted to be a mummy they could be proud of.

“I was a size 22 and I knew that wasn’t helping my condition.”

Jenny’s weight had ballooned after she got into the habit of comfort eating – she was too tired to cook but thought nothing of tucking into four bags of crisps at one go.

After chatting with a friend, she decided to change her life style and signed up to Slimming World and the pounds started to drop off.

She is now much more active and even beats her boys when she races them up the hill to the caravan.

She now suffers less flare ups from the Crohn’s and feels fitter, healthier and happier.

FACTFILE

  • Crohn’s causes inflammation of the lining of the digestive system.
  • Common symptoms include diarrhoea, abdominal pain, fatigue, unintended weight loss and blood and mucus in faeces.
  • There is currently no cure, so treatment is aimed at stopping the inflammatory process, relieving symptoms and avoiding surgery where possible.
  • There are 115,000 people in the UK with the condition.
  • It can affect people of all ages, although most cases develop between 16 and 30 or from 60 to 80.
  • Over time it can damage sections of the digestive systems and cause additional complications.