Mum's life changing experience after going to playground with her children

A mum knew she had to change after going to the playground with her children. Rebecca Smith, 34, from Prenton, struggled keeping active for a long time as she faced difficulties with her mental health and being a mum.

Rebecca’s third child, Elsie, who is two, following on from Lottie, who is now seven, and Layla, who is 13. Rebecca was continuing to struggle with premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).

This is a mood disorder where symptoms appear in the week or two before a woman’s period starts. Symptoms of PMDD include severe depression, anxiety and overeating. Rebecca weighed 18 stone and 11 pounds around the time Elsie was born.

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Speaking to the ECHO, Rebecca said: “I was overweight because of a big bundle of things. Every single thing was not thought about. I wouldn’t think about what to have for breakfast for example, I’d just just grab whatever was at hand. I had a lot of takeaways and really big portions of food.

“After my youngest came along, I knew I wouldn't be having any more kids. Last year, I was going to the playground but I wasn’t able to play with the kids. I’d just go and watch. Most of it was about feeling self-conscious and thinking about how people would perceive me.

“I was just me missing out on them and they were missing out on me. It wasn't fair on them. They were also getting into my habits which I didn’t want.”

Rebecca started going to Slimming World classes to lose some weight. She used to work as a teacher before stepping back a few years ago due to her health, so when her cousin Michael Smith later approached her about supporting Claire House, a children’s hospice, it was a no-brainer for Rebecca to take part. However, there was a catch she didn’t realise until after she signed up.

She said: "Last September, my cousin approached me and asked to do this skydive and I thought I'd give it a go. I've always worked with children with special educational needs and primary school children. My children mean a lot to me. I know the charity does a lot for families.

“But then I found out there was a weight limit for skydiving. Rather than be defeated before I’d even started, I'd thought I’d give it a go and try and make the cut.”

Rebecca had around a year to cut her weight down to at least 12 stone and four pounds and make herself eligible to compete. There were tough times during the challenge but she was motivated by her children to keep going and felt she didn’t have to make major adjustments to lose the weight. She said: “Knowing my children were watching really did push me. Seeing how proud my eldest was when I got a new certificate from Slimming World confirming I’d lost weight was amazing.

“I didn't even exercise any more than I usually do. I just walked a lot more. I’d walk if I was going to school. I’d go for walks in the evening in the park.

“There was a time in the middle where I hit a wall and stayed the same weight for a bit. Normally when that happens I'm not strong enough to keep going but knowing I had to make the skydive motivated me.”

Rebecca found “unreal” support from the Slimming World Birkenhead group on Laird Street during this time. She also began making personalised pyjamas, prints and keyrings for friends and family, which she made into a business called So Much Sweeter. Rebecca said: “It’s all about personalisation. Because I struggle so much with my mental health, I’ve tried to be self-employed and give myself some freedom about when I work. With it, I’ve also tried to stick to a budget. I can make personalised pyjamas for the kids, whereas buying ones from a shop would have been too expensive for me.”

Thankfully, Rebecca lost enough weight to compete in the skydive, which took place on October 19 last month. Whereas some might be terrified of dropping out of a plane from such a large distance up in the sky, she relished the opportunity. She said: “I’m a bit scared of heights but not to the point where I start panicking. It was more just excitement when I did it.

“It was unbelievable. It was a feeling I don't think I've ever felt. Maybe it was the pride of doing the skydive knowing the journey I’ve been on. The feeling of falling is so peaceful. You couldn't hear anything when you were falling through the sky. Once you got through the first initial freefall, it was a life changing experience.”

Rebecca did the jump from Whitby Tilstock Airfield on October 19. She praised the staff there as “amazing” and said she would recommend doing the jump to anyone. Her and Michael raised over £1,000 combined for Claire House. Rebecca is proud of her achievements and is hoping to grow her business when she has more spare time.

She said: “I started my business about two years ago. I haven't got loads of time to get into it. It's slow. Obviously my baby is a bit young but I'm hoping to carry on and eventually have a bigger office and actually distribute products all over the UK rather than just locally. Maybe I can get a website and stuff like that. It's something to look forward to.”

Rebecca said she now feels like a “completely different person” following her weight loss and would encourage other people who face similar problems to her to think about the bigger picture. She said: “It's crazy. It's been a journey. I'm between 11 and a half and 12 stone now.

“I'm really happy with that. I'm not trying to lose any more. I've been dieting for so long that I’ve forgotten what it’s like to eat normally.”

Rebecca understands keeping healthy is hard when you’re at work and a busy mum but said weight loss has had huge benefits for her. She said: “What I try to do is not live in the moment and see the end goal, think about the reason why you’re doing it. Some days you can think, sod it, but the end goal is what’s important. My kids have seen me get better mentally and physically. It's just lovely.” You can find out more about Rebecca’s fundraiser here.