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It should have been one of the happiest days of her life.
But when Haley Smith saw photos of the moment her childhood sweetheart Matt popped the question, all she wanted to do was cry. "I saw them and didn’t even recognise myself," the 24-year-old from Texas told US PEOPLE magazine. "I was just so ashamed. I didn’t understand how Matt could want to be with someone like me. After seeing those, I knew I needed to change."
So the psychology graduate student did.
Haley had battled with her weight since childhood, and it had spiraled out of control when she started university. But in the run-up to her wedding, she made one small change at a time – and the kilos started to slip off.
Read more: Always hungry? This is how one SA woman lost 40kg when she beat the constant cravings
"With the small changes, I would just pick two habits and after about a week or two of sticking to it, I’d pick two more," she told the outlet. For example, she started tracking how much food she ate, not eating after 8 pm in the evening, and cutting back on eating out.
She also started running three times a week, until she could run for 5 km at a time.
It took a year of hard work -- but Haley lost an incredible 110 pounds (49,89 kg). She chronicled the journey on Instagram.
And her wedding day was everything she hoped it would be. "I never thought I would look as good as I did. I expected and hoped just to look 'normal,' but I felt beautiful -- like a real bride should."
Read more: ‘I can just be me!’ Miss SA finalist becomes a plus-size model
Now, the newlyweds are honeymooning in New Zealand, and Haley is over the moon about how healthy and happy she is.
"A year ago, I wouldn't have been able to hike on a glacier, go mountain climbing, feel confident snorkelling and many of the other activities we have planned," she gushed.
Read more: How to lose 3 kg in 3 weeks
Sources: People.com, Mirror.co.uk, Instagram
