A 28-stone plus-size model has denied she is putting her career before health and maintained she is trying to lose weight.
Sarah Rout (30) has grabbed headlines in national newspapers and magazines over the website she runs with husband Anthony featuring photos of her and other large women.
Mum-of-three Sarah, of Park Lane, Long Sutton, said: “I’ve had a lot of hateful comments. People say I don’t care about my health, kids and family, but I do.
“If I had the choice between my career and health, it would always be my health. I am trying to lose weight.
“I have wondered what it would be like if I was skinny. I could be more active with the kids, which is my dream. Things would be a lot easier.
“I could get on a plane, I wouldn’t have to squeeze to get round things, I could go on a fairground ride with my kids.
“It has got to the point now where I have had enough of feeling so tired and achy all the time.
“A lot of people are blaming Anthony for my weight – saying he’s a feeder – but he’s not to blame at all.”
However, the couple do dream of her becoming famous. She is signed on with niche modelling agency Ugly, appeared in Channel 5 documentary Supersized: No Fatties Allowed and a Roy Chubby Brown music video, with other projects being discussed.
She said: “I love what I do. My role model is Katy Price.
“Even if I lost weight and couldn’t model as a big person anymore I’d be a supporter of larger women and anti body shaming. I’d perhaps become a photographer.
“A turning point for me was the death of my stepfather this year. I realised if I don’t do something it could be me next.”
Sarah, who is a size 26-28, has been told to consider a gastric bypass – but must get down to 25 stone first. Doctors say 12 stone is her target weight.
Sarah is going to a slimming club and exercising and says she is now managing to walk a short distance and stand for periods. Previously she moved around the kitchen on a wheeled office chair.
Anthony (31), who has to help Sarah dress and dry when she gets out of the shower, has been with her six years and only known her as a larger lady. He doesn’t believe she would enjoy being thin, but is supporting her to slim down.
He said: “I don’t care how much money is in it, your health and your family are worth more than anything anybody could pay us.
“My dream for Sarah is that she’s happy, active and able to enjoy life with the kids, me and her family.
“I would never discourage her modelling. It takes a lot of strength of character to do something like that.
“Guys ogling her is no different to her ogling the Peter Andre calender I buy her every year.
“A lot of friends and family think Sarah’s personality is based on her being big and bubbly. The concern is if she gets too small she will revert to being depressed and anxious.
“She never intended to be this weight but her feeling has been ‘If I’m going to be this size, I’m going to be comfortable with it and happy about it.’”
