Real Success

Mandy Leavey lost a remarkable 6st 12lbs to reach her slim target and become fitter and healthier than ever. At nearly 7st lighter Mandy’s completely changed her attitude to food – and to life. She shares her amazing journey with us...

“At 11, I already knew I was too chubby. Even in infants’ school my mum hadn’t been able to buy uniform dresses to fit me.  

“I didn’t diet until I was 18. Throughout school I’d been surrounded by supportive mates who accepted me for who I was, not how I looked. But when I arrived at university to read biology, I felt like the biggest student on campus. I wanted to wear fashionable outfits rather than the baggy, hippy-style skirts I always covered up in.

“By age 24 I reached my highest ever weight. While studying for my MSc in Medical Diagnostics, I took a bar job, with free meals provided – most of which were fried. The slightest physical effort – climbing stairs, walking along the high street – puffed me out, and it really affected my confidence. I was fine chatting to customers, but outside the bar, I was too shy too speak much, for fear I’d make a fool of myself.

“For all my medical qualifications I had no idea about healthy eating. I was a trainee vascular scientist, scanning hospital patients to check their circulation, but I knew nothing about nutrition and disliked cooking. I never ate fruit and was super picky, refusing even to try salads and vegetable dishes because I didn’t like the look of them.

“In March 2006, something snapped. I was fed up with feeling huge and unfit, struggling to squeeze myself and my ultrasound machine past patient’s beds, fed up with letting my twenties pass me by. A friend had lost weight with Slimming World, so I found my nearest group via the Slimming World website and walked into the meeting prepared to be scolded for letting myself get into such a state (which of course, didn’t happen!).

“By eight weeks I’d lost my first stone and I didn’t feel hungry once. I wish I’d discovered Slimming World years before.  

“What a difference a year makes. Shortly after achieving my Club 10 award for losing 10% of my body weight I went on a family walking holiday and climbed Mount

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Snowdon. The year before I’d needed as many rest breaks as my five-year-old nephew, but this time I zoomed ahead. I’d started walking to work – a daily five-mile round trip – and it was paying dividends!

“As I lost weight I became unrecognisable. My uncle thought I was a door-to-door saleswoman when I popped round for a visit! I decided then that I’d reached my target weight, having lost 6st 12lbs!

“I’m amazed at the way my attitude to food has changed. I no longer crave the fatty foods I used to, but instead ensure that my fridge and cupboards are full of things like Mullerlight yogurt, fruit and veggies (which I now love!). I also have a freezer full of home-made Syn-Free sauces that I can just pop on some pasta when I’m hungry.

"My attitude to everything else has changed too – I only used to feel confident when I had my ‘professional’ hat on, but now I feel happy enough to talk to anyone and everyone. It’s to do with fitting in, looking acceptable, seeing my reflection and smiling. I feel good about myself in ways I never dared to expect.”

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