LAURA Duxbury from Shaw, has lost a life-changing seven stones since joining a Slimming World group and has become an inspirational member of the social team, weighing and encouraging her fellow members.
More than half of all women in the UK and Ireland (58 per-cent) are overweight .
A quarter of women’s weight risks impacting on their health by increasing their chances of developing a range of conditions including diabetes, heart disease and cancer..
Laura, who has gone from a dress size 20 to a 10, says: “When I started out I never dreamt I’d be able to achieve all that I have.
“Losing the weight has made such a big difference. It has changed my life.
“My health is better, I have more energy and I’m much happier now. I definitely feel more comfortable in my own skin.”
Laura joined Slimming World after becoming increasingly unhappy with her size.
“I started to put on weight after having my children. I tried lots of different diets but they usually left me feeling hungry or miserable – or both, in fact.
“With Slimming World it’s completely different, I never have to miss out and I don’t have to get hung up on weighing and measuring everything I eat.
“My family and friends are all amazed by how much I can eat and still lose weight.
“I still eat many of the same meals that I did before I started losing weight, like spaghetti bolognese, curries and roast dinners.
“Now, I just prepare and cook them differently – and they taste so much better. I’ve picked up lots of new healthy recipes from the other members at my Slimming World group, too.
“I know a lot of people worry about joining a slimming club because they don’t know what to expect.
“Right from the first moment I walked into my Slimming World group I felt comfortable though, and the support I’ve received has been amazing. I look forward to going to Slimming World each week.”
Laura lost 5lbs in her first week and was blown away that the changes she’d made had such a big impact so quickly.
She says: “I feel like a different woman to the person who walked into Slimming World.
“I remember feeling like there was no hope when it came to my weight but I’ve realised that when people believe in you – and you believe in yourself – you can do anything you set your mind to.
“I really hope my weight loss can inspire other people to get started on their own journey and know that there’s a whole group of people waiting to support them every step of the way – especially at the Shaw group.”
Linda Greaves, who runs the Shaw group, says: “I’m so proud of Laura.
“She’s a fantastic ambassador for Slimming World and what she’s achieved is nothing short of incredible!
“She’s a huge inspiration to everyone in our group and I hope she inspires other women – and men – in Shaw to change their lives in the same way.”
*Slimming World was founded by Margaret Miles-Bramwell (OBE, FRSA) in 1969.
There are now more than 16,000 weekly groups supporting 900,000 members across the UK and Republic of Ireland.
Groups are run by a network of 4,500 community-based Slimming World Consultants, who receive specific training in the role of diet and physical activity in weight management, as well as sophisticated behaviour-change techniques.
For more information about Slimming World’s approach visit www.slimmingworld.co.uk or call 0344 897 8000. Follow Slimming World on Twitter or become a fan on Facebook.