Real Success

In April’s letters:

• Campbell is a firm believer in Food Optimising!
• John’s got a jeans dream to achieve
• Kate’s husband is in for a surprise on his return!

And Alex is enjoying a happy and healthy pregnancy!

It’s never too late, says Campbell

I’m 55 years old and have been obese for many years. I’ve tried various diets which lasted no longer than a couple of weeks because of hunger. I joined a gym and went on average 3 times a week; I lost a slight amount of weight but nothing to shout about. To be truthful I’d given up hope on seeing a smaller me, but that’s totally changed now.

My wife Carol needs both hips replaced and was told by her doctor that she needs to lose a lot of weight before he’ll do the operation. Carol decided to join Slimming World as she’d heard about it from a friend.

I said I’d join to give her some moral support, but I honestly thought, like the previous diets, I wouldn’t be able to stick to the plan, let alone lose weight. I had really big reservations about joining a slimming club (I think it’s a guy thing) I was embarrassed but was soon put at ease by the Consultant Sharon and the rest of the St Gerard’s group.

When Sharon gave us our introduction to Slimming World I thought “no way will I be able to eat all that and still lose weight!” How wrong I was! I lost 8lbs during my first week and received my first half stone award. I was just gob smacked; I couldn’t believe it as I’d been eating more food that week than normal, I was over the moon and felt so great about myself.
Four months later we’re still Food Optimising and loving it, with fantastic results. Carol has lost 2st 8½lbs, and I’ve lost 4st 8lbs.

We really look forward to group every week, Sharon is so motivational and the group are so supportive and friendly. It’s great hearing the stories from other members and we enjoy swapping recipes.

People who know us, and haven’t seen us in ages have even walked past us in town because they didn’t recognise us. It’s a fantastic feeling. Our families and work colleagues can’t believe our weight loss. We have a total new wardrobe and we’re now finding it so easy to get clothes that fit us and look good for a change. My blood pressure used to be a little high and now it’s normal. I have a lot more energy and I’m looking forward to getting a bicycle for the summer; I’m going to try horse riding and sailing this year too! (I’ve always classed myself as being too heavy to try them before). Carol hopes to get her operation this year as well.

My 28-year-old wedding ring now needs to be downsized as it’s too big for my finger.
We’re sleeping a lot better and Carol says it great as my snoring has completely stopped!

I’ve started to cook a lot more and love trying out new recipes from LifelineOnline’s recipe archive, Slimming World magazines and books and last but not least, our fantastic group.

There are so many different types of food we eat now and we’re still losing weight. We try something different each week. Variety is the spice of life they say! When we go out with friends we enjoy healthy foods and still have a great night out.

Both my son and daughter got married last year and I had tried to lose weight for the weddings without success. If only I’d joined Slimming World a year earlier! One thing I have learned, it’s never too late in life to start.

Thank you so much Slimming World.

From Campbell Lawley

Jeans dream for John

I joined my local Slimming World group about 3 months ago, and in that time I’ve lost just over 2½ stones, which I’m very pleased about!

I wanted to lose weight because my dad had a heart attack a year back which really scared me and made me worry that it could be me next. I’d tried a few other diets but they never seemed to work for me.

I was scared about going to a group, thinking that I’d be the only guy, but after

 

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attending my first Slimming World meeting I was really pleased. The group was amazing and my Consultant Gill was great too. They really made me welcome and I couldn’t wait to go back the following week.

I’ve noticed a big improvement in my life already - I feel more alive, more energetic and I sleep much better. It’s also brilliant to be able to go into my local shops and buy clothes; they didn’t do my previous size. It has always been my dream to go the outlet village and buy a pair of Levi jeans - now I can and I’m so pleased with myself.

I haven’t got long to reach my target weight now and I know I’ll carry on with Food Optimising to maintain my weight and live a healthy life.

From John Walker, Runcorn

Kate’s husband’s in for a surprise!

I joined Slimming World at the end of January, and was very sceptical about it. I had visions of having to weigh everything I ate, and I knew in my heart that if that was the case, then I’d probably give up within a couple of weeks.

I felt very nervous about going to group for the first time on my own, but I needn't have worried, Jane and everyone there made me feel so welcome. I look forward to Wednesday evenings and meeting everyone there to swap tips and hints.

I have been going now for about 8 weeks, and so far have lost 2st 1½lbs, and dropped 2 dress sizes. I love the feeling I get when I get another award.

If someone had told me before that I could eat so much and still lose weight, I would never have believed them. But it's true, I haven’t gone hungry at all and the weight is just falling off me.

I do believe that having an incentive helps motivate you, whether it is a holiday, wedding or even just a good night out, wearing that dress that you’ve wanted to get into for so long!

My incentives are seeing my husband again. He is in the Navy, and he sailed at the beginning of January. He is due home on the 3rd July and I can't wait to see his face when he comes home to a slimmer, fitter wife.

My other reason is a holiday to Orlando in October. Last year we went to Spain and at a local water park, I managed to get stuck on one of the water slides! My daughter (age 8) was so upset that her mum wouldn’t go on any of the slides. This year, just try and keep me off them!

From Kate York

Feeling bloomin’ fantastic

I just had to let you know how fantastic Slimming World has got
me feeling!

I’m nearly 18 weeks pregnant with my third child and, despite Food Optimising initially, I gave it up as soon as I found out I was expecting. Being pregnant is "permission to eat" and up until a month ago that’s all I did – eat - and all of it was junk food! But 4 weeks ago I was feeling so exhausted and so miserable about the weight I was already putting on, and thinking about the weight that I would have to lose after I had the baby, that I decided I had to do something - so back to Slimming World I went.

I didn’t really want to walk back into group after giving up, but my Consultant Claire was so pleased to see me, and she is always so supportive, that I felt great straight away. It has taken me a few weeks to settle back into Food Optimising, but I am so positive at the moment and I feel so healthy (my energy levels have gone through the roof!), that I’m so glad I came back! I know I won't see weight loss results for quite a few months (about 5 actually!), but I feel really happy knowing I am eating the right foods for me and my baby-and hopefully I'll feel this good all the way through my pregnancy.

Thanks Slimming World :)

From Alex Tranmer

Glad to hear you’re feeling so
fab Alex!

Slimming World's Food Optimising system provides a healthy, well-balanced diet and an ideal way to prevent excess weight gain when pregnant. With the consent of your midwife, your Consultant can support you in managing your weight in the way that is totally safe for you and your baby.