My name is Victoria. I am 42 years old and live in Lincolnshire. I was born in Manchester.

All of my adult life, I have been overweight. I have in the past suffered severe illnesses, Toxic Shock Syndrome, miscarriages, and even had cancer treatment. This has led to bouts of depression and a disastrous relationship with food. Food and sadness go hand in hand with me. When I am sad, I eat, when I am happy, I celebrate, by eating, when I am emotional, I eat, when I am lonely, I eat… when I look at myself in the mirror and am repulsed by what I see…you guessed it…. Hopefully you can see where this is going…

In 2022, I began to suffer vasovagal episodes and seizures. After tests, treatments and investigations, I was diagnosed with a rare condition called Intracranial Hypertension, also known as Pseudo tumour Cerebri. My body mimics all the signs of a brain tumour without actually having one.

This is my journey, in all its rawness, sad, good, bad, ugly, to try and lose the weight I have been carrying most of my life. I may get very open and honest. Some of what I write may come across as emotional, but this is me….warts and all, or fat and all. I am doing this to keep myself driven, to keep pushing forward so I can do what I want most of all. Go to the beach in a swimsuit one day, without the worry of my weight being a factor anymore.