‘Chronic condition meant my legs went huge and wouldn’t stop growing’

Warrington: Chloe Richardson has been all about rugby since she was a kid. She started playing at nine and was semi-pro by her twenties. But everything changed in 2022 when she noticed her legs were growing while the rest of her body stayed the same.

Despite her hard work in the gym, her legs just kept swelling. It was frustrating for her, especially since she was used to being fit and active. Chloe started working out three times a day and cut her calories down to just 800. Even then, her legs didn’t change.

She shared, “I was exercising two to three times a day, but my legs were just getting bigger.” It was tough for her mentally, too. She struggled to find clothes that fit and felt uncomfortable in her own skin. Even while playing rugby, she wore leggings under her shorts to hide her legs.

Chloe’s performance suffered as well. She was playing in the Warrington Superleague but couldn’t keep up due to the pain in her joints. It was a hard time for her, and she knew she had to figure out what was going on.

After some research, she discovered lipoedema, a condition that causes abnormal fat accumulation, mainly in the legs. It’s often misdiagnosed, especially in women. Chloe felt relieved to finally have an answer.

She learned that diet and exercise wouldn’t help her condition, and the only real solution was surgery. After consulting with doctors, she got an official diagnosis and started planning her treatment.

In August 2023, Chloe had her first surgery to remove the excess fat from her legs. The recovery was tough, but soon she started seeing the results she had hoped for. She lost over 2.3 stone from her legs and felt amazing.

Now, Chloe is back to playing rugby and enjoying life. She’s wearing shorts and skirts, something she never thought she’d do. “I’m absolutely over the moon,” she said, feeling happier than ever.