Sophie McGarva was laughed by cruel classmates after she reached almost 200 pounds during middle school by gorging on junk food and snacks before turning 13. At that time, the issues with her weight first started. She was not really into sports and was eating a lot of bad food, like chocolates and sweets.
“But that was also the time when we cared more about our looks. All the girls around me were really slim. I was never too concerned, but then a few girls started making fun of me because of my size and saying mean and horrible words. I reported it to teachers, but it was sort of covered and didn’t help,” Sophie recalled, “After about a year of this, I knew it was time for a change and I became determined to prove everyone wrong. I also wanted to prove to myself that if I put my mind to something I could do it. So I began watching my diet and exercising more.”
After getting into dance, swimming and ice-skating, she lost almost 50 pounds. Now 21, Sophie became one of 44 women to make it through to the Miss England national finals last weekend. The English Literature degree student now keeps in shape by coaching cheerleading at York St John University and going to the gym three times a week.
Sophie said, “At school I was easily influenced and was taught by those around me that beauty was merely the reflection in the mirror — which, after the weight loss, I came to the realization that this is not entirely true. I entered Miss England to challenge myself again, in aims of gaining confidence within myself and also making my younger self proud. I wanted to gain a deeper connection with myself and those around me, proving to myself that I can succeed in things outside my comfort zone.”
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