Why record-breaking slimmer lost 30 stone

A woman who lost 30 stone said today she was prompted to take action after catching sight of her "awful" reflection in a full-length mirror.

At 42 stone, Alysson Wilson was so large she could not see her own feet or go to the toilet by herself.

Four years on, the 33-year-old from Manchester has shed 30 stone - thought to be the biggest weight loss ever by a British woman.

A slimmed-down Mrs Wilson said in a GMTV interview today that she decided to make changes to her diet and lifestyle after the shock of seeing herself in the mirror.

"I was disgusted. I was actually physically sick. It was just awful," she said.

Mrs Wilson admitted that in the past, she had used health problems such as asthma as "excuses" to eat more.

"Looking back, I used to think because I've got them I can eat more, but I've got no one else to blame but myself."

She added: "I could eat anything and everything really."

After undergoing life-threatening gastric bypass surgery in 2006, Mrs Wilson's weight fell further.

"I got to the stage where I thought I'm going to die anyway and I didn't want my children at my funeral to say 'Dad, why didn't she try for us?'.

"So I thought 'I'm going to die trying'."

She added: "We're just normal now. A normal, happy family."