Dream trip turned painful

Poppie Chapman, 33, from Suffolk, felt mortified during a 2024 Disneyland Paris trip when she couldn't fasten safety bars on rides. At 14 stone 1 pound, she spent the day breathing in and feeling miserable instead of making happy memories with her daughter.

“I found myself breathing in to get some of the safety bars to fit, and then spent the duration of the ride with them digging into my stomach.”

Physical pain overshadowed magic

Walking the 140-acre park left Poppie aching and unfit. She felt sad knowing this trip of a lifetime was being ruined by her inability to participate fully in the rides and activities her daughter wanted to enjoy.

“I just felt so sad, it was the trip of a lifetime but instead of making happy memories with my daughter, all I could think about was how low I felt.”

Health struggles before the trip

During her pregnancy with her now five-year-old son Litt, Poppie developed gestational diabetes and had to use crutches to walk. She longed to be an active, fun mum who set a good example but felt far from that person.

“I remember wishing I could be a fun and active mum who set a good example to her kids, but I just felt so far away from that person.”

Decision to change

After returning to the UK, Poppie joined Slimming World in a desperate bid to lose weight and transform her life. She committed to making healthier lifestyle choices.

Two years of transformation

Through consistent effort and support, Poppie lost 5 stone 9 pounds over two years. She now weighs 8 stone 4 pounds and describes comparing before and after images as surreal.

“Poppie added that comparing the images of her side-by-side was 'surreal'”

Second chance at Disneyland

When the dance school trip to Disneyland Paris came around again, Poppie was over the moon. This time she focused on planning cute matching outfits with her daughter instead of worrying about her health.

“This year, when the information for the dance trip came around, I was over the moon at the thought of going back.”

Rides finally accessible

All the safety bars closed easily on every ride. Poppie raced around the park going on as many rides as possible and racked up 20,000 steps a day without thinking about it.

“We raced around the park going on as many rides as possible, all the safety bars closed easily, and I was racking up 20k steps a day without even thinking about it.”

Finally enjoying the magic

Instead of feeling low and self-conscious, Poppie was able to enjoy the true magic of Disney. The experience was a complete contrast to how she felt two years earlier.

“Instead of feeling low and self-conscious I was finally able to enjoy the true magic of Disney.”

Newfound confidence and happiness

Poppie could never have imagined she would feel this happy or confident after losing the weight. She was genuinely excited about making new memories to replace the painful ones from 2024.

Fear of judgment overcome

Poppie was initially fearful of judgment when joining Slimming World. But the group wrapped around her like a safety net, providing the support she needed to keep going.

Community support made the difference

The consultant and group members cheered for her, cried with her, and lifted her up when she couldn't lift herself. This support kept her going on days she wanted to give up.

“The support from the consultant and the rest of the group is everything. You're surrounded by people who get it, people who cheer for you, cry with you and lift you up when you can't lift yourself.”

Real food, not restriction

Poppie was worried about giving up foods she loved, but discovered she could eat real food and proper family meals while staying on target. She doesn't feel like she's missing out.

Family meals became easier

Her fajita bowl is now a family favourite that even her kids request. Cooking from scratch and sitting down together made life feel easier because she was more prepared.

“I don't feel like I'm missing out. My fajita bowl is a family favourite, even the kids ask for it.”

Meal planning reduced stress

By preparing meals in advance, Poppie eliminated the last-minute scramble of wondering what to cook for dinner. This consistency helped her stay on track with her weight loss goals.

“We cook from scratch, and all sit down together. Life feels easier because I'm more prepared and not wondering what we will have for dinner at the last minute.”

Sustainable lifestyle change

Poppie's weight loss wasn't achieved through extreme dieting but through making sustainable lifestyle choices that she could maintain long-term. The focus was on health, not deprivation.

From shame to pride

The transformation allowed Poppie to move from feeling mortified and ashamed to feeling proud and confident. She reclaimed not just her health but her ability to be the mum she wanted to be.

Memories replaced with joy

Instead of painful memories of struggling on rides, Poppie now has joyful ones of racing around the park with her daughter and enjoying every moment without physical or emotional pain.