A waitress has revealed how she lost seven stone after a customer cruelly pointed out her weight gain – saying she had “doubled in size” within a year.

Kaylin Gealy, 25, from South Carolina, US, first noticed her weight creeping up when she started working in the food industry, with the convenience of fast food proving a “comfort”.

Her company also provided a free meal every shift, and Kaylin ate meatballs, pasta, pizza, “endless” pita bread and more.

When she started the job in 2015 she weighed 12st 1lbs and was a size 10 but within a year had gained three-and-a-half stone and was wearing a size 18.

While she felt uncomfortable in herself, it came as a shock to learn that her weight gain hadn’t gone unnoticed – with a customer pointing it out to her during a shift.

“She was a regular at work and said I had doubled in size over the year,” Kaylin, who now works as a talent administrator and coordinator, told NeedToKnow.online.

“She asked me if I was taking a new medication that caused the weight gain.

“She even showed me a picture of myself from the previous year to validate the statement.

“I felt extremely sad, weak, defeated, hurt and shocked.

Horrifying, it only got worse when Kaylin was called into her manager’s office.

She said: “She told me that my free meal now had a price limit of $14 because she didn’t believe I was eating the Italian combo all to myself – she thought I was ordering the biggest meal to share.

“Then my manager’s husband told me I would feel better if I ate better.

“I felt judged. It made me angry and I felt belittled.

While the comments upset her, Kaylin decided to use them as motivation to overhaul her lifestyle and make some healthy changes.

She said: “I quit the job and made the decision I wanted to change for myself – not for anyone else.

“I was tired of the hurtful comments and wanted a complete 180-degree turn for my life.

“I deserved to love myself and I owed myself happiness and health.

“I never wanted to hear a hurtful comment about my weight again.”

Kaylin made healthy changes in her diet to kickstart her health journey, starting by swapping pasta and breads for vegetables.

She said: “I tried to incorporate nutrient dense foods instead of the refined carbs that will leave me hungry again hours later.

“I avoid sugar the best I can – if there is a sugar-free option, I am definitely choosing that.

“I didn’t drink my calories – I’ll choose water, unsweet tea, coffee and unsweetened milks are my go-to.

“If I need a snack or am hungry, I try to choose a protein packed option.

“A typical plate involves half protein, half vegetables.”

Kaylin also started incorporating movement.

She said: “When I first started my weight loss journey, I wanted to set a fitness goal that I could stay consistent with. For me, that was 30 minutes’ walk a day.

“It doesn’t have to be hard, as long as you can stay consistent – consistency is key.

“I like to knock out my walk first thing in the morning but some days I’ll walk at lunch time.”

Within the first year, she had lost 5st 3lbs, spending the next year steadily losing the remaining weight.

In total, she has lost 6st 7lbs and now weighs 8st 9lbs, wearing a size 2.

She has maintained her weight loss for the past year, and continues to enjoy her 30-minute walk daily.

Kaylin, who has shared her journey on Instagram (@walkingandcounting), said: “Since losing weight, I find happiness in everything – not just food.

“I’m passionate about my health and use my platform to help motivate and inspire others by being a real-life example that you can achieve anything you set your mind to.

“I am more active day-to-day and love getting out and exploring more that life has to offer.

“My body confidence has gone from a two out of 10 to a 10. I love shopping and dressing up – I’m comfortable in all of my clothes and don’t despise the mirror anymore.

“I hope to continue my health journey forever.”

For anyone else looking to start their own health journey, Kaylin has some sage advice.

She said: “You will be your biggest motivation. Some days you will want to give up, but if you push through those days, you will be so glad you did.

“I always suggest starting by making one healthy swap a week and asking yourself ‘can I do this for life?’.

“We have to quit viewing health and diets in the same line of sight. You aren’t starting a diet to go back to old ways, you are creating a whole new life.

“Find ways to be healthy that also make you happy – and you’ll be able to stay consistent forever.”

DIET BEFORE:

2,500+ calories

Breakfast: waffles, pancakes, cookies, cake, croissants
Lunch: chicken nuggets and fries, pizza, burger and fries, macaroni, loaded bake potato
Dinner: lasagne, pizza, Chinese takeaway, calzones
Dessert: family pack of cookies or cakes, or a tub of ice cream

DIET NOW:

1,800 calories

Breakfast: eggs with turkey sausage or bacon
Lunch: Wedge salad with grilled chicken, or broccoli and cauliflower with tuna or salmon
Dinner: Bunless burger or sauteed spinach with chicken or fish

ENDS