NSW woman loses 70kg after ‘mortifying’ Movie World rejection

A 164kg woman who was once too large to fit on a roller coaster has unveiled her incredible weight loss transformation.

A woman who could not be strapped into a Movie World roller coaster due to her size has lost an incredible 70kg after turning her life around.

Back in 2020, Haylee Rose said she hit “rock bottom” after reaching 164kg.

While the 27-year-old has always loved fashion, she struggled to find clothes she liked in a size 28.

But now two years later, Haylee, from Forster, New South Wales, feels like a completely new person, and is happier and more confident than ever after losing 70kg.

“Teenage me would never imagine that this would be my life,” she told news.com.au.

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At her biggest, she said her confidence was at an all time low. Picture: Supplied

Haylee is ‘putting herself first’ for the first time in her life. Picture: Supplied

“I got to a point where I felt I could no longer go on, I was so incredibly depressed.

“Being that size, it truly affects every facet of your life. I was not happy.

“I still have work to do with both my physical and mental health, but I feel like a different person after dropping 70kg.”

Growing up overweight, Haylee says her school years were especially difficult as she was constantly being targeted by cruel bullies because of her size.

Always a “shy” child, she said the abuse she suffered throughout her schooling years pushed her into a state of isolation and loneliness.

“I was always a loner as a kid, I was bullied a lot both verbally and physically,” she revealed.

“I still remember the names of every person who hurt me. I didn’t have any real friends.

“Nobody ever invited me to anything, and I was never really acknowledged in the group as the others were. I was the stereotypically ‘funny fat girl’’.

At her biggest, Haylee couldn't fit into a roller coaster. Picture: Supplied

She has since lost an incredible 68kg. Picture: Supplied

As a result, she found solace in food and would binge eat as a form of comfort, which fuelled her “toxic” relationship with food that would last many years.

“I always ate my feelings, then I felt bad,” she said.

“My weekly cheat meal was two upsized KFC boxes and 10 wicked wings. I’d eat it all, sometimes twice a week.

“I’d eat chips, lollies, ice cream, caramel lattes with sugar every day.

“The only healthy thing I was having was the skim milk in my coffees.”

Haylee explained how she was stuck in a gain and lose cycle.

“I’d spend school holidays restricting myself and engaging in disordered eating behaviours,” she said.

“I wanted to come back and be ‘that girl’ who had a glow up. I thought then finally everyone would accept me.

“But of course, I always binged and the kilos would come back on before school started.”

One of Haylee’s turning points happened when she visited the famous Movie World theme park on the Gold Coast in Queensland.

She was excited for a day of thrills and fun, and was not going to shy away from hopping on some of the scariest rides in the park.

But after lining up for over an hour to get on the park’s most intense rollercoaster, she got into her seat only for the safety bar not be able to click into place.

She used food for comfort to deal with trauma. Picture: Supplied

She has regained her lost confidence since losing the weight. Picture: Supplied

Haylee was then forced to do what she described as “the walk of shame” back down the line to exit.

“My now ex was already strapped into the rollercoaster, and I was sitting next to him,” she said.

“I was trying to get the bar to click into place. I had a staff member try his best to get it to lock, but it was just not happening.

“I was right at the front, so everyone saw me and I had to get off and do the walk of shame out of the ride. I bawled my eyes out.

“I had to walk past everyone to get out. It was mortifying.

“But it truly made me realise how bad things were. It was a wake up call.”

Haylee says she tried many times over the years to lose weight on a myriad of different diets and plans.

Even when in a calorie deficit and exercising regularly, the weight was not budging – so she decided to see a doctor for help.

After undergoing some tests, she was diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) – a hormonal disorder causing enlarged ovaries with small cysts on the outer edges.

The condition is known for making it extremely difficult for people to lose weight.

Haylee was bullied a lot in school because of her weight. Picture: Supplied

She feels like a new person after losing the weight. Picture: Supplied

Due to her weight posing serious health risks, it was recommended Haylee undergo bariatric surgery to save her life.

“It was definitely not was out, as many would assume,” she said.

“I still had to work really hard to get all my nutrients in, as I can only eat very small meals.

“I can no longer eat any deep fried food, or pork, as it can give me a gallbladder attack, so there had to be a mental shift there.

“Now I’m past the 18 month mark, I started intermittent fasting and eating mainly low carb and high protein

Haylee now wears size 16-18 clothes, and while she would still like to lose a bit more to be at her healthiest weight, she says she is much happier and confident than ever before.

Haylee struggled with weight for most of her life. Picture: Supplied

Haylee says she feels like a completely different person. Picture: Supplied

She is now sharing her story to help and motivate others who might be on a similar path.

“One of the big things I’ve learnt from this journey is that nobody else’s opinion of my body matters,” she said.

“I still have some weight left to lose, but I don’t let it define me. I wear what I want, as long as I’m comfortable.

“I’ve spent my whole life being a ‘people pleaser’ and have only just started putting myself first.

“The support I’ve gotten since sharing my story online is something I’ll always be grateful for. I can’t wait to see what the future brings.”