Sad truth why nan, 56, always ate at the same three restaurants for years

Debbie Scully spent years eating out at the same three restaurants with friends and family. It had nothing to do with the menu, and everything to do with how she felt sitting to eat her meals in chairs that were big enough to accommodate her size.

At her heaviest, Debbie weighed over 20 stone (128kg). The 56-year-old nurse from Slough had nearly every choice and moment dominated by the same daunting question she constantly asked herself the same question: "Will I fit?"

Battling high blood pressure, pre-diabetes and persistent knee pain, she was always anxious about squeezing into restaurant chairs, packed trains, plane seats and even fairground rides. As a medical professional, she was fully aware of the health dangers associated with her weight, but insists she "couldn't seem to stop thinking about food".

Having grappled with her weight throughout much of her adult life, Debbie tried practically every diet possible, along with intermittent fasting, calorie tracking and prescription drugs. She said: "I'd lose two pounds and celebrate with a bag of crisps."

As her weight climbed, so too did the worry that came with daily life, reports Surrey Live. She said: "We only ever went to three restaurants because I knew I could comfortably fit in the chairs. I told my family it was because they were cheap and served good food, but the real reason was the seating."

At her heaviest, nurse Debbie weighed more than 20 stone (Image: Debbie Scully | Numan)

"I loved the idea of trying new places, but I'd constantly think, 'What if I get stuck in the chair? What if it's a bench and I can't squeeze in? What if I break the chair?' Those thoughts never left me."

It comes as figures from healthcare platform Numan suggest one in five adults has completely pulled back from social occasions due to their weight.

Holidays became another source of stress as Debbie would rather spend around 200 extra for specific seats purely to avoid the awkward ask for a seatbelt extender from cabin crew. But the most upsetting experience for her occurred during a family day oout to a theme park with her grandson.

After waiting in line for a rollercoaster together, she says the staff couldn't secure the safety restraint because of Debbie's size. She was "totally mortified" and had to exit the ride and walk away "while everyone watched".

Debbie Scully spent years eating at the same three restaurants because she knew the seats would support her size (Image: Numan)

She said: "My grandson was with me because he wasn't old enough to ride alone. He didn't understand why Nanny couldn't go on with him. I was absolutely heartbroken. I couldn't face feeling that shame ever again."

Determined to transform her health after receiving a pre-diabetes diagnosis and taking three medications for high blood pressure, Debbie embarked on a medically supervised weight loss programme.

Since beginning treatment, Debbie has shed more than eight stone (53kg), slimming down to 11 stone 7lbs. Beyond appearing slimmer, her overall health has dramatically improved as she now only requires a single low dose of blood pressure medication, while medical tests have confirmed she's no longer pre-diabetic.

Debbie now takes less blood pressure medication and is no longer pre-diabetic (Image: Debbie Scully | Numan)

Following her weight loss, Debbie has rediscovered the confidence to shop on the high street shops since dropping from a size 24 to a size 12, and has even been with her two of her grandchildren to WWE in London - comfortably sitting the upper-tier seats she once thought would have been out of reach.

Reflecting on her journey, Debbie claims the most significant transformation isn't what the scales display, but the freedom she's reclaimed. She said: "Being overweight affects every single part of your life, even if nothing actually happens.

"The fear is always there. Every outing, every chair, every journey - you are constantly wondering whether you'll fit. Now I don't think about any of that anymore. I can just get on with enjoying my life and making memories with my family."