EFFY Murphy, 38, from Cork, Ireland was 310lbs and a US size 20 in 2017. After she was denied a visa to travel to New Zealand due to her weight which they said was a ‘health hazard’ to the country’s healthcare system she decided to change her life forever. She told Truly: "As a child my food addiction began, I was constantly wanting the bigger portions. I was always the bigger friend out of my group of friends." This continued through her teenage years, and then her mental health deteriorated after the birth of her first child. "I was very depressed," she said. " My marriage was failing, my weight was just getting bigger and bigger and that's when reality hit." Effy was planning to move to New Zealand with her family but was denied a visa because of her obesity. For her, this was the turning point, "it was at that moment I realised, I needed to change", she confessed. Effy had gastric sleeve surgery and once she returned home she recovered and began her weight loss journey. She has now lost a total of 150lbs, now weighing 161lbs. "I think mentally has been the biggest difference overall," she said. "You know, I might be different on the outside but inside I am a completely different person."
