I was eating 20,000 calories a day with my triple pizza habit and ballooned to 42st – then six words changed me
She might have just devoured a pizza large enough to feed two but her insatiable appetite meant that Teresa still had room for more.
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Teresa Parent ballooned to 43st after gorging on a diet of 20,000 calories a day
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She lost 33st but the weight loss left her with an enormous amount of excess skin
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After having surgery to remove her loose skin, Teresa now fits into size 12 clothing
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Putting the
It was part of a 20,000 calorie eating problem that saw the 45-year-old balloon to over 42st and saw her teetering on the brink of death.
'I struggled with diabetes, high blood pressure, and I even had a mild heart attack in 2016,' Teresa, from Long Beach, California, says.
'When I heard the words 'you won't be alive in five years' from doctors it shook me.
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'That was the wake-up call I needed.'
That set her on the path to an astonishing weight loss journey, shedding a staggering 33st and completely transforming her life.
The teacher initially lost 12st naturally through diet and exercise before undergoing
Teresa's weight first spiralled out of control after her brother took his own life in 2001.
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"When he died I completely checked out," Teresa previously said.
"It was the very first traumatic loss I experienced and I blamed myself for not being able to help my brother.
I weighed 42st but shed HALF my bodyweight to save my life - here's what my 'hanging apron' of loose skin looks like
"I stopped taking care of myself.
'My mother killed herself a couple of years later and their deaths played a role in lack of self love and self care."
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Teresa soon began emotional eating to deal with her depression and self-hate.
She says: "I was eating a large pizza almost daily and stopping at fast food drive thru restaurants and hiding in my car while I ate.
"Then I would go home and eat triple decker peanut butter sandwiches, grilled cheese sandwiches, and tons of crisps, cookies, and junk food on a daily basis."
By 2016 Teresa, then 38, was so morbidly obese that she suffered a mild heart attack, which motivated her to seek medical advice.
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It was then that doctors warned her she could be dead in five years if she didn't lose weight.
Before she could undergo surgery Teresa put herself on a strict diet, restricting her calorie intake dramatically and walking as much as she could.
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It was losing her brother and mum is short succession that saw Teresa turn to food for comfort
Credit: COVER IMAGES
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Teresa initially lost 12st naturally before having weight loss surgery to help her lose the remaining weight
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She had the remaining five stone of loose skin removed
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Between 2017 and 2018 she lost 12st from diet and exercise alone and in 2018 she had gastric bypass surgery to reduce the size of her stomach which saw the final 14st melt away.
But after losing the weight, she was left with three stone of excess skin, which caused significant discomfort and emotional distress.
'The loose skin impacted my entire life—mentally, physically, spiritually, and emotionally,' she admits.
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'It made me look much bigger than I actually was.
'It was painful, embarrassing, and shameful.'
Teresa underwent a Fleur-de-Lis abdominoplasty, removing the hanging skin from her abdomen.
'All the skin is gone. It's done,' she says.
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'That skin was literally the last piece of all my grief. I made myself feel bad for so long, but I deserve to be happy.
'I used to be an 8XL, and now I fit into a size 12. I never imagined this would be my life.'
Teresa now helps others struggling with their weight to follow in her footsteps.
Her TikTok is now a space where she shares recipes, weight loss tips, and raw, unfiltered moments of her journey.
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And she has gained over a million followers with her healthier versions of classic comfort foods, proving that losing weight doesn't mean giving up the meals you love.
'People comment on my videos all the time, saying, 'That's not really healthy or nutritious,' but let me tell you something—this works for me,' she says.
'I've lost 33st and kept it off for years. I've found ways to make my favourite foods healthier, and that's what matters.'
People think that just because I've lost the weight, everything is perfect. It's not
Teresa Parent
From high-protein desserts to guilt-free comfort meals, Teresa's recipes have captivated an army of fans.
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Her recently released cookbook, Now We're Cooking, created in collaboration with Chef Rich Eaton, is flying off the shelves.
'I share my food to help others who have battled obesity,' she says.
Losing weight doesn't mean deprivation—it means learning how to make smarter choices.
'If I can enjoy dessert every single day without feeling guilty, then so can you.'
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Beyond the kitchen, Teresa's transformation has influenced those closest to her, including her husband, Mike.
'People ask me all the time, 'How does your healthy lifestyle influence Mike?' Well, when we first started dating, he would eat big ice cream sandwiches all the time,' she says.
'Now, after a year and a half together, this way of living is our new normal. Instead of reaching for processed junk, he asks for the healthier versions I make. It's just what we do.'
What food do you need for a healthy diet?
IF you want to have good health, a good way to start is from your diet.
eat at least 5 portions of a variety of fruit and vegetables every day
base meals on higher fibre starchy foods like potatoes, bread, rice or pasta
have some dairy or dairy alternatives (such as soya drinks)
eat some beans, pulses, fish, eggs, meat and other protein
choose unsaturated oils and spreads, and eat them in small amounts
drink plenty of fluids (at least 6 to 8 glasses a day)
Source:
Their love story is another incredible milestone in Teresa's journey.
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She married Mike, the love of her life on February 22, something she never imagined would happen at her heaviest.
'I never thought I'd find love at my heaviest,' she says.
'But I worked on myself, and now I get to share my life with someone who truly supports and loves me."
Despite her incredible transformation, Teresa is open about the ongoing struggles she faces.
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'Since weighing over 42st, I've battled terrible arthritis, neuropathy, and shooting pains in my feet,' she says.
'I try to manage it with CBD and holistic remedies because I don't like taking medication. It's been a game-changer.
'People think that just because I've lost the weight, everything is perfect. It's not.
'I brutalised my body for years, and I still have scars. But I am so much happier and healthier than I've ever been in my entire life.'
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I brutalised my body for years, and I still have scars. But I am so much happier
Teresa Parent
Determined to help others break free from the cycle of obesity and self-doubt, she and her business partner, Tonya, launched the chart-topping podcast Transform Your Life_ with Teresa and Tonya_.
Since its debut last year, the show has skyrocketed to the No.1 weight loss podcast, proving just how many people are desperate for honest conversations about extreme weight loss, mental health, and body image.
But they didn't stop there. Teaming up with Dr. Eric Smith from TLC's 1,000-Lb Sisters and Pop Recovery Systems, the duo created the Transformation Academy—a game-changing online platform offering nutrition guidance, fitness plans, mental health support, recipes, and expert-led advice on bariatric and skin removal surgery.
The response has been overwhelming.
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'This is so much bigger than weight loss,' she says.
'It's about giving people their lives back.'
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In February this year Teresa's dreams came true when she married her husband Mike
Credit: COVER IMAGES
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Teresa is now helping other people achieve their dream bodies
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Increasing protein intake to preserve muscle mass (aim for 0.6–1g per pound of body weight). Adding healthy fats and complex carbs (e.g., avocados, nuts, whole grains) for balanced energy. Adjust Your Dosage (With Doctor's Approval) If your weight loss is too rapid or causing side effects, your doctor may: Pause dose increases or lower your dosage. Adjust your treatment plan to stabilise your weight loss. Strength Training & Exercise To prevent muscle loss: Incorporate resistance training at least two to three times per week. Stay active with low-impact exercises like walking or yoga. Hydrate & Manage Electrolytes Drink enough water (Mounjaro can reduce thirst). Electrolytes matter - Consider adding magnesium, sodium, and potassium if you feel weak or fatigued. Monitor for Malnutrition & Deficiencies Rapid weight loss can cause vitamin/mineral deficiencies (especially B12, iron, and electrolytes). If you experience: Fatigue, hair loss, or dizziness, ask your doctor about supplements. Consider Further Medical Guidance If your weight loss is excessive or causing health concerns, speak with your healthcare provider. They might adjust your dosage, diet, or exercise plan to help stabilise your weight loss. "My shoe size has changed which is bizzare", she revealed. "My feet have got skinnier. I usually wear a size six but I have found recently my trainers feel a bit loose on me." And it turns out she's not alone, as her revelation sparked similar admissions from other Mounjaro users. Advertisement One said: "I've came down a whole shoe size lol ! It's not just you." A second wrote: "Started my weight loss journey at 26st 11 I was a size 7. I'm now 11st and a size 4.5/5." "Yep, I've gone from a 5 to a 4.5. Bought shoes today", revealed a third. A fourth added: "I'm 25kg down since January and I've gone from a size 7 to a size 5.5." Advertisement Meanwhile, a fifth chimed in: "I went down a shoe size after I lost 6 stone! it's definitely a thing." For anyone considering Mounjaro, Lucy recommends a "slow and steady" approach and guzzling down at least two litres of water a day. Read more on the Irish Sun She continued: "Don't move up doses to quickly, fast weight loss can trigger other health issues. Slow and steady worked great for me. Advertisement "And once you hit your target weight, try not to keep setting new targets. You don't want to develop an unhealthy relationship with your body."
