Real Success

After losing an inspiring 2st 6lbs with Slimming World, Lindsey Bellis from Mancot, Flintshire is reaping the benefits of her healthier body. Now Lindsey’s lighter, faster and stronger – she shares her story with us here…

“I started gaining weight when my beloved Dad died of a heart attack in May 2004. He got home from work, told Mum he felt a bit unwell, and collapsed in the bathroom. He hadn’t been ill, but he was a smoker, drank a bit at weekends, and worked too hard. Until then I’d been a bit silly about food; I used to skip meals, surviving on a banana and an apple all day to keep myself at a size 8. But after Dad died, it was a surreal time – people kept calling at the house, offering their condolences and bringing us meals. I started tucking in and found I couldn’t stop.

“At first gaining weight didn’t bother me. My boyfriend Stewart didn’t care how much I weighed, as long as I was happy. I cooked lots of pasta and thought we ate pretty well. But there was nothing healthy about my daily lunch of a white baguette stuffed with cheese and mayonnaise-coated salad. And dinner was huge portions of spaghetti with cheesy sauces served with hunks of garlic bread. I drank lots too – alcopops galore on a girls’ night out, and pints of lager when we went to gigs.

“As my weight increased I felt more and more self-conscious, especially as my job as a hairdresser meant I had to look at my reflection in the salon mirrors all day. I’d wear my hair as big as possible and put on lots of make-up, but I felt enormous.

“I’d joined Slimming World in the past but I never gave it a chance. I lost 8lbs, but I wasn’t serious and the weight didn’t stay off.

“I was convinced that drastic action was the only way to lose weight so I signed up for the British Heart Foundation’s 2008 London Marathon Team. I figured I might lose weight by pounding the pavements – plus I could raise money for a cause I believed in. I managed to run the marathon in 6 hours 8 minutes, raising £1,200 but I saw the marathon as a one-off; I’d injured my knee and had never been so exhausted in my life! I didn’t even lose as much weight as I’d expected – just 11lbs.

“In the end, I re-joined Slimming World for my Mum’s sake. She was several stone overweight, and a smoker too, so I couldn’t help worrying about her. We joined the Mancot group together – and this time I stayed for group Image Therapy to really give me the help and support I needed. Within a week I’d lost 5lbs after tucking into sweet potato curries, jacket potato and

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beans, roast veg pasta and lots of other lovely meals.

“By Autumn 2008 I’d lost over 1½ stones and decided to have another go at the London Marathon – I began to wonder how fast I’d be fuelled by Slimming World power! I had a great motivator: Mum, 5st lighter and following me on her bike, shouting encouragement and doing the most exercise she’d ever done in her life!

“It worked – by April I’d lost 2st 4lbs in total and ran the marathon in 5 hours 2 minutes – more than an hour quicker than the previous year. I raised more than £1,000 for Slimming World’s SMILES charity too.

“I’ve now reached my target, losing 2st 6lbs and I honestly think the weight will stay off forever. I’m not on a diet; I’ve changed my whole way of eating.

“I have no fear of salon mirrors these days – I feel confident about everything. And I’m still running. My whole family is healthier and happier now. Between us, Mum, my sisters, Vicky, Emma and Sophie, and I have lost nearly 15st.

“I’ll always miss my Dad – it’s still hard to believe he’s really gone. But by staying slim with Slimming World, I know I’m keeping my heart as healthy as possible, and encouraging other people to do the same. And that’s something I know Dad would have wanted”.

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If you'd like to reveal the real you, find your nearest warm and friendly Slimming World group, where men and women are welcome.