I have battled with my weight for nearly 30 years of my life, growing from a chubby toddler into an uncomfortably overweight child and teenager, before finally taking the battle into adulthood. By the time I reached my 30’s, I had already been working in an office environment for 8 years; gradually growing an extra dress size every 6 months. I realised that I couldn’t even run around the corner without being short of breath and close to tears. As I cried in the shower one evening I realised how sad I felt that these prime years of my life were being wasted. I was tired of crash dieting, feeling so unfit and making poor choices. Something “clicked” in my head at that point which gave me newfound determination that by the time I hit 40, I would be in the best shape of my life! In June 2019, I joined my local Slimming World group in Leigh Park, ready to commit to something different where I would be accountable for my choices every single week. I realised that I needed support to change both my eating habits and the pattern of behaviour ingrained in me since childhood.
When I walked through the doors to attend my first Slimming World group I can’t say I wasn’t sceptical that their weight loss plan would give me different results to the “one hit wonder” diets I had tried before. What gave me hope, however, was that this time I wasn’t looking for a quick fix; I knew this never worked in the long term and was starting to consider what I pictured for the rest of my life. When I sat down for my “New Member talk” the consultant, Zoe, explained that Slimming World was not a diet, it was a lifestyle change. What surprised me most was being told that no foods are forbidden and you don’t even have to count calories! This was a hugely refreshing approach that I could see myself actually following. I also learned how to change my thought processes and behaviour so I would no longer give up on losing weight simply because I was having a bad day. There was no judgement or someone bossy telling me what I should or shouldn’t do! Slimming World gave me an educated plan with which to make my own choices in order to improve both my weight loss and self-esteem.
I have been on my Slimming World journey now for 3 years and can safely say that I’m in much better shape; physically, mentally and emotionally. I’m very nearly at my final target weight which means I’ll then be able to continue attending group for free! This ongoing support is so important to me to ensure that I never go back to my previous weight. In the hope of inspiring others I have also become a consultant myself and will be re-launching the Warblington Slimming World group from 10/09/2022. My 40’s are going to be amazing!