After years of driving and snacking on the go, a former taxi driver saw a significant increase in her weight. However, following surgery and maintaining a healthy lifestyle, she has now shed over a hundred pounds.
51-year-old Jo Knight underwent gastric bypass surgery in October 2023 and is now lighter than she was in her teens.
During her pregnancies with her seven children, Knight found comfort in food, leading to a rapid increase in her weight.
As a taxi driver, she would often snack on cookies and three bags of crisps per shift, causing her weight to steadily climb.
At her heaviest, Knight weighed 294 pounds and wore a size 24 clothing.
Struggling with weight loss and being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, Knight waited three years before opting for weight-loss surgery through the UK’s National Health Service (NHS).
Within 10 months post-surgery, she astonishingly shed 100 pounds, bringing her weight down to 194 pounds and fitting into a size 14.
Knight had always dreamed of joining a running club that passed by her house every week. After losing weight, she finally felt confident enough to sign up.
Currently unemployed, she now completes regular 5k runs with the team.
From Saltash in Cornwall, Knight shared, “As a taxi driver, I would sit all day snacking. Before, I would be out of breath just walking and couldn’t keep up with my kids running around.”
“Now, I’m healthier and slimmer than I was in my teens.”
She noted being the heaviest person in school, which led to bullying.
Her weight started creeping up in adulthood after her first child, particularly finding it challenging to prepare healthy meals after having her fourth child.
Knight set a good example by having Weetabix with her children for breakfast before taking them to school. However, once they went to bed, she would indulge in late-night takeouts like McDonald’s.
“I sought comfort through food, juggling four kids was tough, so I went for quick, convenient meals,” she said.
She also enjoyed indulging in all-you-can-eat buffets at Toby Carvery, piling her plate high with food.
Knight later had three more children – Charlie, 19, Tom, 17, and Lily, 16 – and still resides with them.
At her heaviest of 294 pounds, even taking the kids to the park left her breathless.
In 2019, she was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, leading her to work as a taxi driver. However, she found her weight continued to climb during this time.
“It’s a job where I don’t need to exercise, spend four hours a day behind the wheel,” she explained. “During breaks, I could easily finish three bags of crisps and a packet of cookies.”
Having tried “every diet under the sun,” she felt desperate for help.
In 2020, after discussions with a doctor, Knight was put on the waiting list for gastric bypass surgery under the NHS.
After a three-year wait, she had part of her stomach removed in October 2023 at the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro.
During recovery, she consumed liquid food and slowly reintroduced solids, witnessing her weight “drop.”
As she got slimmer, Knight became interested in exercising.
“I saw the running club pass by my house three to four times a week for 10 years,” she said. “I always dreamt of joining but my physical condition wasn’t up to par.”
“When I finally signed up, I fell in love with running completely.”
Knight now participates in park runs regularly and has been recommended to join the Healthwise program at the Saltash Leisure Centre.
The center’s staff have assisted Knight in maintaining her healthy lifestyle, providing excellent advice on what to do and when to do it. In less than 10 months, Knight shed an astonishing 100 pounds, now weighing 196 pounds and fitting into size 14 clothes.
However, she emphasizes that weight-loss surgery is still “hard work” post-surgery.
“Surgery isn’t a simple way out. It’s a complete lifestyle change that requires a lot of effort to maintain,” she said.
“But I have no regrets. My children are proud of me, and I’m thrilled with the progress I’ve made.”