Real Success

Actress Rebecca Wheatley is taking centre stage after being named Slimming World’s Woman of the Year 2009.  Rebecca, from Hove, has lost an astonishing 12st 1½lbs and kept it off for two years thanks to her supportive group and her new love of tasty, healthy food. Rebecca shares her inspiring story with us here…

“I’ve always been a “big” girl and was put on my first diet at just seven years old. Like me, my mum struggled with her weight and tried numerous diets over the years. When I was 11, I vividly remember her returning from another slimming club with a papier-mâché pig because she’d gained the most weight that week. I couldn’t believe someone had given my lovely mum this horrible pig! I promised myself then that I wouldn’t spend my life on constant diets and, whatever my size, I would be successful.

“In spite of my weight, I carved a career as an actress, singer and presenter. I spent four years playing Casualty’s larger-than-life receptionist Amy Howard. I’ve also appeared in West End shows like Fame and Bad Girls: The Musical. At a size 32, I was the ultimate unapologetic “big girl”, forever making bold comments about my size, describing myself as the “deluxe model” and proclaiming the typical “big is beautiful” mantra.

“The turning point came when I had my son Freddie, who’s now six, and got married. I should have been happy, but seeing my wedding pictures was devastating. It took me two weeks to find the courage to open the beautiful wooden box containing the photographs, and when I did there wasn’t a single one I wanted to show people. Despite all my bravado I was ashamed I’d let myself get so big.

“So, in May 2005, I joined Lisa Shaw’s Slimming World group. After my mum’s experience, I’d spent years determined I didn’t need a group to help me lose weight

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and I’ll be the first to admit that I was still feeling sceptical and defiant. At first I wouldn’t look at or talk to anyone. But as the weight came off I discovered a whole new group of friends and support. Now Lisa struggles to keep me quiet in Image Therapy because I just love sharing my tips and new recipes with the rest of
the group!

“I couldn’t believe that even when I did have a gain there was no judgement or criticism, just support and reassurance. 

“Eating and drinking are sensual parts of enjoying life and Slimming World allows me to feel that I can still enjoy my food and never have to feel guilty. We’re all emotional eaters, especially women. When I feel pressured or stressed, I know I’m going to eat a lot so I make sure I have plenty of healthy things to hand like fat-free yogurts, fruit, chicken. Foods that I know will make me feel full so I won’t reach for the chocolates or crisps.

“When I’m on tour I pack a whole basket of healthy Free Foods like fruit, ham, yogurts, low fat cheese, Ryvita minis and Diet Coke. Hunger is the danger, and knowing that I can eat, that I don’t have to go hungry, is what has made me successful in losing weight and keeping it off.

“Being named Woman of the Year is a great honour for me. I hope that I’ll be able to inspire anyone out there who’s struggling with their weight and to help them see that there is a healthy way to lose without starving yourself or feeling guilty, or even resorting to surgery. And it’s possible to keep it off too. Now, after years of having huge ambitions for my career, I have just one small ambition – to be happy and healthy for my husband and son.”

find out more

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