Her family didn't believe it when she told them she was going to lose weight.
But two years on, the Hartlepool mum has dropped a staggering six dress sizes.
SAM Lawson will wear a bikini for the first time this summer.
She is taking her family on holiday to Gran Canaria. Two years ago she would have been shocked at the thought.
But for Sam, stepping into swimwear marks the end of a journey which has seen her lose more than eight stones and undergo a life changing tummy tuck operation.
Now the 28-year-old, who previously did not like to leave the house, is looking forward to a holiday with her two children Sharna, seven and Jaydon, four.
Her time in the sun will be a reminder of what the mum has achieved.
It was January 2006 when Sam, who lives with her family in Oxford Road, Hartlepool, decided enough was enough.
She had been overweight since her early teens and after losing confidence she became dependent on a diet of takeaways.
After having two children, Sam was more unhappy than ever with her body.
It was while she was sitting in her lounge one day she bit the bullet and decided to begin the healthy eating plan that would change her life.
Two years later, Sam is unrecognisable in both looks and personality.
The new Sam can enjoy trips out with her family without getting embarrassed. And no one is happier than her family who have been with her every step of the way.
In her latest challenge she has just taken the final step to her dream goal - a tummy tuck to remove excess skin which was left after her extreme weight loss.
After losing eight stone and maintaining her weight for a year Sam was given the go ahead for a tummy tuck, which she had at the end of January.
During the operation, half a stone of fat was removed.
Sam said: "I'd managed to lose weight from everywhere but I really struggled to lose it from my tummy.
"After I had kept the weight off for a year I was told I could have the operation. It was a dream come true for me.
"I couldn't sleep the night before I was so nervous but my mam came with me too
"When I woke up after the operation I wanted to lift the nightie up straight away.
"There was a lot of swelling but I could see the difference. I broke my heart I was so happy."
For Sam, the tummy tuck operation was an emotional time, marking the end of her battle.
She said: "I had two children and I wasn't happy with my weight.
"I told my family I wanted to lose weight and they laughed. I lived on takeaways and no one believed I would do it.
"The first few months were hard but then it started dropping off.
"I started going to the gym at the Belle Vue Centre but it was a
challenge.
"I used to ring the gym before I went to see if there was anyone else in. I wouldn't go if there was I was too embarrassed."
Sam was 18st 7lb and lost 8st 7lb. She now weighs 10st.
Now things couldn't be more different for both Sam and her family.
She said: "I used to have no confidence.
Sam before her weight loss
"I didn't do anything with the kids before because I just liked to be at home. I couldn't wear nice clothes, I had to shop in charity shops because nothing would fit me.
"Now I will just chat to anyone and I took the children on their first holiday last October.
"Before I wouldn't take them swimming or anything. There was no fun in it, I didn't want people looking at me."
"I have a brand new life now."
Less than two months after the operation Sam has returned to her job as a health support worker a new woman and is inspiring others to do the same.
She said: "Everyone is saying how different I look and that I have inspired them to do the same.
"I got this job after the centre manager saw how well I was doing with the weight loss.
"In the future I would love to work with children and teach them about healthy eating."
And Sam not only has a new career but a new wardrobe after dropping six dress sizes from a size 24 to a size 12.
She said: "I bought a pair of size 14 jeans last week and had to take them back because they were too big."
Sam praised her mum Susan Wilson and said: "She has been brilliant through it all, I couldn't have done it without my family. My brother Daniel has been a big help too and he helped me look after the kids when I was recovering."
Susan, who lives next door and has another son Daniel, 20, and a daughter Sarah, 24, said:
"We are all so proud of her.
"It was upsetting when she had the operation as it is awful seeing any of your kids in pain but it was worth it.
"She is so much happier now and is like a different person.
"We laughed when she said she was going to lose the weight but she has proved us all wrong. It's just fantastic."
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