'I reversed my chronic pain by losing three stone - this is how I did it'

Having spent last summer hiding under baggy clothing, Mandy Povey wanted nothing more than to feel confident in her body.

Gorging on chocolate meant the mum piled on the pounds over lockdown and quickly reached a dress size 22.

But it was a health scare that gave her the drive she needed to shift the weight for good, eventually seeing her lose an incredible three stone.

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“I’ve always struggled with my weight, so I’ve been aware of it,” the mum-of-two told the Manchester Evening News.

“I’d put on a stone here, lose a stone there. Before Covid, I lost 20 pounds, but because we were stuck indoors I ended up putting that back on and an extra 19 pounds.

“What I’d lost, I’d doubled over Covid. It was disgusting.”

Mandy, from Frodsham in Cheshire, knew she had to make huge lifestyle changes while suffering from chronic back pain last year.

The pain, which would occur during her period cycle, was so agonising the mum could barely walk.

A specialist later diagnosed the 48-year-old with post-ablation syndrome, a rare complication that can occur in women who have had ablation procedures.

Mandy underwent an endometrial ablation several years ago to treat her heavy periods.

To stop her periods altogether, a doctor suggested Mandy start taking injections to induce her menopause early.

However, there was a risk the medication wouldn’t work due to her weight.

The second option was a hysterectomy to remove her uterus – but the procedure would leave her bedbound for weeks.

As a full-time carer for her 15-year-old disabled daughter, Mandy couldn’t afford to be out of action for such a long period of time.

Determined for the