Mum lost 21st after message from beyond the grave
A former 21 stone woman has told how she was shocked into losing half her body weight after receiving a message from her dead husband.
Two years after Joanne Howey's partner died suddenly from septicaemia, the 39-year-old claims to have felt his presence out of the blue.
Joanne, 38, from Darlington, County Durham, said that a memory flashed into her mind of her husband Christian - warning her to stay healthy for their kids.
The eerie experience jolted her into losing 11 stone and now the stay-at-home mum weighs a healthy 10st 7lbs and is a size 10.
Joanne says: 'The room suddenly went cold and the memory of Christian telling me to stay healthy just popped into my head.
'His words echoed a round my head saying that one of us needed to be here for the children.
'From that moment, I knew I had to change. It really shook me.'
Joanne Howey, now 38, pictured with her late husband Christian in March 2012 when she weighed 19st 7lb
Joanne Howey, 38, weighing 10st 3lb and a size eight, after joining Slimming World
Growing up, Joanne had always struggled with her weight and after giving birth to her first two children, she'd ballooned to 18 stone.
After her first marriage failed, Joanne met Christian, a train dispatcher, in May 2008 on dating site, Plenty of Fish.
Joanne, who is mum to Elanor, 15, William, 14, Scarlett, 11, and Toby, seven, says: 'When I saw him it was like being hit by lightning, it was love at first sight.
'He was an amazing stepfather to my first three children and the perfect father to our son Toby.
Joanne Howey, now 39, pictured in May 2016, weighing 11st and a size 12. Although she's been left with some loose skin, she's much happier with her bodyÂ
Joanne Howey, now 39, weighing 20st and a size 24, pictured on her wedding day in April 2012 with her late husband Christian (left). Right: The couple with their now seven-year-old son Toby in July 2010
In March 2016 weighing 12st and a size 12 with a pair of her old size 22 jeans
'I was exhausted from looking after the kids all day so, most nights, I'd order myself a takeaway while the children were asleep.
'Christian never put on a pound but I just got bigger and bigger - but he didn't care about my size.'
But, in 2012, when Joanne weighed 19st 7lbs, according to her, Christian could tell his wife wasn't happy.
Joanne says: 'He told me to look after my health so I was always there for the kids.
Whenever Joanne craved unhealthy foods, the memory of Christian spurred her on to keep up her dietÂ
Mother-of-four Joanne Howey pictured in July 2016 weighing 10st 10lb and a size 10
'I was shocked and laughed the comment off. But, looking back, it was as though he'd had some sort of premonition.'
In 2011, Joanne and Christian became engaged. But a few months later, Christian visited the GP after suffering from severe stomach pains.
He was referred for further tests and diagnosed with a non-cancerous growth on his pancreas.
Joanne said: 'He needed an operation to remove the tumour but we were hopeful that everything would be OK.'
In August 2013, weighing 20st 10lb and size 26. Joanne had always struggled with her weight, but she ate all day long to comfort herself after Christian died
The couple decided to marry one month later so they could tie the knot before his surgery.
Joanne said: 'Walking down the aisle, I felt like the happiest woman in the world.
'My dress was a size 24 but I felt beautiful.'
In June 2012, Christian underwent his operation at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
The surgery was successful but, after going home, he developed a fever.
Within a matter of days, Christian's condition deteriorated and he was diagnosed with septicaemia.
Joanne says she's certain Christian is proudly watching over herÂ
Sadly, three weeks after his op, he passed away aged 38.
Joanne says: 'I held him as he slipped away and my heart broke in two.'
Afterwards, she sought comfort in food and overwhelmed by grief, some days she was unable to cook properly for herself and would order an Indian takeaway a few times a week.
She says: 'Some days I'd eat and eat until I fell asleep.
'I'd gorge on crisps and chocolate all day long and had my own secret stash of snacks.'
By May 2014, her 5ft 4in frame had ballooned to 21st 12lbs and she was a dress size 28 and unsurprisingly, her weight was taking a toll on her health.
Joanne shed the pounds by joining Slimming World and then had a gastric bypass to lose the remaining weight
She explained: 'I was tired constantly and struggled to walk up the stairs.
'One day, two years after Christian died, I got a sudden chill and knew he was with me.
'Once, after he passed away, I received a text from his phone saying 'goodnight'.
'Sometimes the phone would ring but no one would be there, so I often felt his presence.
And in late 2014, she heard his voice telling her that she needed to change her lifestyle. Â
The mother-of-four pictured shortly before her gastric bypass operation in June 2015
Once after Christian died, Joanne received a text from his phone and she often feels his presence
So, a month later in January 2015, Joanne joined Slimming World and lost 2st in two months - swapping greasy takeaways for healthy home-cooked meals.
She said: 'Whenever I craved unhealthy food, I'd think of my precious husband and it spurred me on.'
Five months later, she underwent a gastric bypass to lose the remaining weight.
She added: 'Going under the knife after losing Christian seemed reckless but I knew it would be worth it.'
In late 2014, Joanne heard Christian's voice telling her that she needed to change her lifestyle
She may have been left with some excess skin, but all that matters to Joanne is that she's happy and healthy for her four childrenÂ
The operation was a success and, over the next 18 months, Joanne lost an astonishing 9st.
She now weighs 10st 7lbs and is a size 10, after losing 11st 5lbs.
Joanne said: 'My extreme weight loss has left me with excess skin but I'm much healthier now.
'Even though my husband is no longer here, he spurs me on every day.
'I know that Christian is watching over me, proudly encouraging me on and giving me a wink'.
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