'I was at my lowest low': How a young woman, 23, went from a size 10 to a 22 in just ONE MONTH
- Young woman was called a 'whale' and 'fat' by peers while she was at high school
- Bobbie Dawes was diagnosed with depression and anxiety when she was just 13
- Around the same time she was also diagnosed borderline personality disorder
- She then restricted her foods and quickly dropped to a size 10, alarming doctors
- While in recovery, she went from a size 10 to a size 20-22 in just over a month
An inspiring woman who was called a 'whale' by peers has since found confidence in her body after she went from a size 10 to 22 in just over a month.
Bobbie Dawes, 23, from Bairnsdale in Victoria's west, gained six dress sizes in a month when she was recovering from severe weight loss.
Ms Dawes grew up with her grandmother, mum and older sister and was only seven-years-old when her dad passed away.
When she was 10, her grandmother was taken to a nursing home and died just two years later, breaking her heart.
Bobbie Dawes (pictured) gained six dress sizes in a month when she was recovering from severe weight loss
An inspiring woman who was called a 'whale' by peers has since found confidence with the help of her boyfriend, who encourages her to be herself
When she was ten, her grandmother (pictured, middle) was taken to a nursing home and died just two years later, breaking her heart
Bobbie Dawes (pictured) was called 'fat'and a 'whale' by peers but now has found confidence and loves taking photos of herself
'It was and still is one of the most heart-breaking things I've ever experienced, from then on I changed. I gained some weight and was always upset,' Ms Dawes said.
The pain of losing her grandmother resulted in Ms Dawes to start self-harming, and in 2009 she was then diagnosed with depression, anxiety and borderline personality disorder (BPD).
'I sometimes felt like I had to try so hard to fit in and to be noticed and of course I had the usual comments of 'fat' and 'whale',' Ms Dawes said.
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During this time the 23-year-old was restricting her food and lost lots of weight, quickly dropping from a size 14 to 16 to a small size 10, alarming doctors.
Ms Dawes was then put into recovery, where she was instructed to eat more and get back to a healthy weight.
'Because of this, I ended up losing so much weight to the point doctors were concerned, so I started to eat properly, and I was piling on the weight,' she said.
The 23-year-old's weight quickly increased to a size 20 to 22 in just over a month.
'In just over a month, I went from a size ten to a size twenty-two. I was at my lowest low. I went to the doctors and found out that I had PCOS and no diets worked,' Ms Dawes said.
The pain of losing her grandmother resulted in Ms Dawes to start self-harming, and in 2009 she was then diagnosed with depression, anxiety and borderline personality disorder and quickly lost a lot of weight
Ms Dawes (pictured) discovered American plus size model, Tess Holliday, who inspired her to brace her curves
Ms Dawes was then diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a condition that affects how a woman's ovaries function, in 2016.
During this time, she discovered American plus size model, Tess Holliday, who inspired her to embrace her curves.
'Positivity and confidence was radiating from her. I wanted to be like her, I wanted to spread the body positivity, so I started to push myself to take photos,' Ms Dawes said.
'Just the way she talked about herself like she knew she was a bigger girl and she loved it. The way she looked in photos; wearing lingerie and feeling sexy, I wanted that.
Ms Dawes became more confident in her body and began posting pictures of herself to social media
'Positivity and confidence was radiating from her. I wanted to be like her,' Ms Dawes said of Tess Holliday
Ms Dawes now loves her body and posts photos on social media to encourage others to love themselves
'I loved how she didn't just spread the love to bigger girls, but to all shapes and sizes. It was so powerful.'
Ms Dawes became more confident in her body and began posting pictures of herself to social media.
In August 2016, she received a random message from her now-boyfriend Tristan, on Facebook, who said he was captivated by her confidence and blown away by her pictures.
The pair started dating and have been in a relationship ever since.
Ms Dawes said unlike her previous relationships, she feels Tristan is compatible with her and has supported her throughout her mental health journey.
In August 2016, she received a random message from her now-boyfriend Tristan (pictured with Ms Dawes)
Tristan said he was captivated by her confidence and blown away by her pictures, and the pair have been dating ever since
'What first attracted me to Bobbie was her eyes and her beautiful personality,' Tristan said.
'The thing I love about Bobbie's body is her curves and how she carries herself as a plus size woman; her body in my eyes is beautiful and a master piece.'
Ms Dawes described Tristan as being her 'rock' and is surprised he's stuck around and 'continues to fight' beside her.
'We mesh so well together. He always encourages me to take pictures, boosts me up. He's the first guy that's ever truly loved me and accepted me,' the 23-year-old said.
'He has never once tried to change me. He will show me pictures of other plus size girls to encourage me and no matter what, every day he will call me beautiful.
'At the end of the day everyone is entitled to their opinion. But I'm happy with who I am. It's taken so long to get here, and no one can take that from me.'
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