Mother loses 77lbs after being fat-shamed by flight attendant: 'Next time consider booking two seats'

‘The feeling of pure embarrassment and shame is something I’ll never forget’

Olivia Petter
Friday 09 March 2018 19:46 GMT
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Mother inspired by her children to lose 30kg

A young mother has revealed how she shed more than five stone after being fat-shamed by a flight attendant while travelling from Auckland to Queensland.

Kayla Martin has spoken out about the experience in a candid Instagram post, explaining how it inspired her to turn a new leaf by revolutionising her approach to diet and exercise.

At the time, Martin recalls how she was plagued by body insecurities and self-doubt and had worn a large puffa jacket to cover herself up for the journey.

When she first got on the plane, she struggled to find her seat belt, prompting the air hostess to make the suggestion that she request two seats next time to accommodate for her size and ensure that she and her fellow passengers had a comfortable journey.

“The feeling of pure embarrassment and shame is something I'll never forget,” the mother-of-three writes.

“I loved myself so little back then that I let that airline hostess treat me that way.”

The New Zealand-based mother was humiliated, adding that the hostess’ comments made her feel “worth less than every skinny person on that plane”.

However, she explained that her mindset has completely changed in recent years, revealing that she is much healthier, happier and more confident since she started working out regularly and eating more consciously.

A lot of this is also thanks to the birth of her daughter, who was born a few months after the incident and helped her to feel proud of her body, prompting her to see it in an entirely different light, she told People.

“From there I started my journey of self-love and inner healing and that’s where I started wanting to nourish my body with what it needed so that my body could be healthy,” she said.

Martin didn’t just see physical results either, adding on Instagram that her mental health has also been completely transformed.

“Don't forget babes, no matter your size or shape, colour or culture, you are worth just as much as everyone else,” she writes.

“Love yourself enough to take a stand for yourself and doing things for YOU. The rest will start to fall into place from there. I am a walking testament to that.”

Martin’s story clearly struck a chord, with her initial post generating more than 560 likes in addition to a flurry of supportive comments, thanking the 25-year-old for her honesty.

“This is so inspiring and motivating and i’m sorry you were treated that way! Keep up the hard work and inspire others,” wrote one commenter.

“Wow! She’s a real sh*t person!” added another, referring to the flight attendant.

“You’ve done so amazing though to overcome situations like that by living a healthier life and learning to love yourself and gaining the confidence to live, which I know is hard because I’m still working on all that myself.

“I admire you for having the courage to make those changes”.

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