From overweight schoolgirl to teen beauty queen – Emma sheds pounds and scoops titles

Weighing in at 15 stone as a 15-year-old, Emma Day was bullied and taunted by others about her size.
Emma Day weighed 15 stone just a few years ago. Right: Emma's new look.Emma Day weighed 15 stone just a few years ago. Right: Emma's new look.
Emma Day weighed 15 stone just a few years ago. Right: Emma's new look.

But the Dewsbury teenager has had the last laugh after shedding six stone – and winning the title at a clutch of beauty pageants.

The 19-year-old was crowned Miss Teen Leeds and competed at Miss Teen Great Britain in Blackpool two weeks ago.

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Emma, who now weighs 8st 9lbs, said: “When I was younger I’d go to see my grandparents and have tea with them before going back home and scoffing another portion of food.

Emma Day.Emma Day.
Emma Day.

“I really loved biscuits too and I nearly always had a packet in my hand. My school years were absolutely horrific at times.”

Emma, of Healds Road, was embarrassed by her size and refused to go the gym, so started working out in her bedroom instead.

“After a few months people started to notice I had lost weight and it gave me a real confidence boost,” said the former St John Fisher pupil.

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“I kept on going with the sit-ups, press-ups, running and everything else and I seriously got hooked on training.”

Emma also claimed second prize at the Face of the Globe beauty contest, won Miss Spirit of True Beauty Yorkshire and was crowned Miss Anti-Bullying 2014.

Now studying at Dewsbury College in the hope of becoming a nurse, Emma is taking a year off from pageants to focus on her studies.

“It’s just incredible to look at pictures of myself when I was 15 and then look in the mirror at how I am now,” Emma said.

“I feel like a completely new person.”

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