Mother Returns to Disneyland After Losing Six Stone to Fit on Rides

Two years after a mortifying experience at Disneyland Paris where she struggled to fit on rides, Poppie Chapman, 33, has returned to the theme park having lost nearly six stone. In 2024, Chapman, then weighing 14 stone 1 pound, found herself unable to comfortably fasten the safety bars on attractions, leading to a miserable visit.

Chapman, from Suffolk, described feeling unfit and experiencing aches while walking the park's grounds. The discomfort extended to the rides, where she resorted to breathing in to make the safety bars fit, enduring them digging into her stomach during the attractions. "I just felt so sad – it was the trip of a lifetime but instead of making happy memories with my daughter, all I could think about was how low I felt," she stated.

Her previous struggles were exacerbated by gestational diabetes during pregnancy with her younger son, which required her to use crutches. This experience fueled a desire to be a more active and present mother. "I remember wishing I could be a fun and active mum who set a good example to her kids – but I just felt so far away from that person," she recalled.

Upon returning to the UK, Chapman joined Slimming World, motivated by a desire to lose weight. Over the next two years, she lost 5 stone 9 pounds through healthier lifestyle choices. This transformation allowed her to return to Disneyland Paris for her daughter Aurora's dance school trip, this time able to fully enjoy the experience.

"This year, when the information for the dance trip came around, I was over the moon at the thought of going back," Chapman said. "Instead of worrying about my health or what I looked like, I was planning cute matching outfits with my daughter and felt genuinely excited about making new memories to replace the painful ones I experienced in 2024."

She reported racing around the park, going on numerous rides with ease, and achieving 20,000 steps a day without discomfort. "It was such a change to how I felt two years ago. Instead of feeling low and self-conscious I was finally able to enjoy the true magic of Disney," she stated.

Chapman found the support system at Slimming World invaluable. "The support from the consultant and the rest of the group is everything," she said. "You're surrounded by people who get it, people who cheer for you, cry with you and lift you up when you can't lift yourself. That support kept me going on the days I wanted to give up."

Her dietary changes involved incorporating "real food" and "proper family meals," such as a popular fajita bowl, and cooking from scratch together. She noted that life feels easier now due to better preparation, eliminating last-minute meal decisions.

Comparing images of herself before and after her weight loss, Chapman described the experience as "surreal," never imagining she would feel as happy or confident as she does now.