A determined mother from Bottesford, Leicestershire, transformed her life by losing 17 stone in just one year after strangers mocked her in a vicious online video. Catherine Skippen, 28, a carer who once tipped the scales at 30 stone and wore size 28 clothes, now weighs 12st 10lbs and fits into size 10 outfits—all without weight loss injections or surgery.
The Harsh Online Mockery
Two years ago, at her heaviest, Catherine struggled with basic tasks. She couldn’t stand for more than two minutes without pain, felt constantly out of breath, and short walks caused ankle agony. Strangers filmed her walking through town and shared the clip on social media, set to the track “Hey fatty bum bum” by Carl Malcolm.
Catherine Skippen said: “When I saw the video, I was heartbroken and embarrassed. It really knocked me, but at the same time it made something click in my head.”
Instead of letting it defeat her, she used the cruelty as fuel. “I thought I can either let this destroy me or I can prove everyone wrong—and that’s exactly what I set out to do, not just for other people, but for myself as well,” she added. Bullied for her weight since school, Catherine hit rock bottom at 30 stone but resolved to change in July 2025.
Building an Exercise Routine
She started with 10-minute sessions on a home exercise bike, pushing through exhaustion. Gradually, she extended workouts to 30 minutes, then added daily walks up to two hours and weight training three times a week.
“At the start I couldn’t even do 10 minutes without feeling exhausted, but I just kept pushing myself a little bit more each time,” Catherine explained. “Now I actually enjoy walking—it’s something I look forward to rather than dread.”
Her partner provided initial motivation, but persistence carried her through plateaus. Locals now approach her for advice, a stark contrast to the video that once circulated.
Overhauling Her Diet
Catherine researched calories and nutrition independently, ditching boredom eating. She swapped sausage rolls, pizzas, crisps, and chocolate for planned meals with lean meats, fruits, and vegetables.
“Before, I was eating anything and everything, mostly out of boredom. I’d have things like sausage rolls with cheese for breakfast,” she recalled. “Now I plan my meals ahead, eat lean meats, fruit and vegetables, and stop when I’m full.”
Diet Before Transformation
- Breakfast: Four sausage rolls with cheese
- Snacks: Family-sized bags of crisps, large chocolate bars
- Lunch: Sausages, bacon
- Dinner: Pizza, chicken burgers, chips, curly fries
Diet After Transformation
- Breakfast: Fruit bowls (kiwi, strawberries, watermelon)
- Snacks: Lettuce, cucumber, onion, garlic with eggs or cottage cheese
- Dinner: Lean meats such as chicken skewers with vegetables and light mayo
A New Life with Her Daughter
The changes brought renewed energy and freedom. “I feel like a completely different person now. I can breathe properly, move around easily, and I’ve got so much more energy,” Catherine said.
She now enjoys outings with her five-year-old daughter, running at places like Twin Lakes—activities she once avoided due to embarrassment or physical limits. “It honestly felt like she had a big sister rather than someone who had to sit down and watch,” she shared.
Despite some loose skin on her arms and stomach, Catherine focuses on toning with a home multi-gym instead of surgery. “I’m happy where I am now weight-wise, and I am glad I could prove everyone wrong.”
