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Aug 23

Slimming World and WW weight loss superstars of the summer in Plymouth – Plymouth Live

Summer is usually the time that many set themselves as a goal to lose weight.

There's nothing better than feeling confident in yourself whilst sunning on the beach - and it doesn't matter what size you are, every body is beautiful.

But there are many people who wish to get healthier and more in shape so they can achieve their goals, for some it's playing with their children and others it's being able to walk to the shop without being in pain.

We take a look at some of the Slimming World, WW and other methods people have used to transform their bodies, minds and attitudes.

If you want to share your own weight loss or body positive story, get in touch via email at katie.timms@reachplc.com or via Facebook here.

A Plymouth gran reversed her diabetes after losing a whopping 10st after breaking her hairdresser's chair.

Norma Courage first joined weight loss group Slimming World. in Torpoint in 2007 weighing 21st 11.5lbs after two incidents which left her humiliated.

The first one left her unable to fit into the plane seat she had been allocated when going on a family holiday, and the second incident came after she visited the hairdresser and sat in the seat, and broke it.

"I often wonder what I would look like now, or even if I would still be here if it was not for that first step into a Slimming World Group," the 73-year-old said.

Norma has gone from a size 28 to a size 14 and says her husband and her sons have never seen her as small as she is now.

She said: "I have been married for 53 years and my husband or my three boys have never seen me at this weight; I have lost 10 Stone and it has taken me a few years to do it.

"I used to be a diabetic but since I lost weight I am no longer a diabetic and have reversed the condition. I can also walk now and do things that I could only dream of before.

"When I was at my heaviest I would hate clothes shopping, but now I love it."

The St Budeaux resident, who has 13 grandchildren, said attending the Torpoint group has helped keep her motivated and on track to her goal weight.

She said: "I started Slimming World, because I got on a plane and couldn't sit in the seat properly and I also went to the hairdressers and the chair broke.

"I just felt useless could not move and did not want a move. I did not want to go out and when I did I felt that people were always looking at me as I was so big."

Norma said despite being in her 70s, losing weight has meant that she feels she is in her 30s again.

"I can walk anywhere feel good about myself and go into any shop and buy clothes it's a wonderful feeling," she said.

"I am 73 years old now but I feel like 30, it's a wonderful feeling."

Before starting her weight loss journey, Norma would eat a whole packet of Mars bars.

She said: "Before Slimming World I would eat anything.

"I would go to the shop and buy not one Mars bar but a packet of Mars bars. Anything that was more than one in a packet I would buy it and I would eat chocolate all day.

"Now I eat sensibly and if I do feel I need something different I will have it.

"I call them my treats, but I will make up for it other ways with my good healthy food. I never want to go back to those dark dark days again."

Read Norma's full story, here.

It has taken just two months for Jayne Cooves to lose a whopping 24lbs since joining the weight loss group after seeing the image which made her feel that she had "let her family down" with her appearance.

The 37-year-old joined Mandy Coles group after being inspired by her own whopping 12st weight loss.

Jayne weighed 18st 11lbs when she joined the virtual group during the lockdown and just eight weeks later, she is on track to hit her target.

"When I received our socially distanced professional picture taken on VE Day, I looked at myself and felt I was letting my family down with how I looked," Jayne said.

"After seeing the picture, I was disgusted with how big I had gotten.

"I was totally inspired by the sensational journey Mandy has been on with Slimming World.

"I've known Mandy for over 25 years and I've seen her struggle with her weight, yet since joining, she has done absolutely fantastic, and I wanted some of that."

Since joining, the mum-of-two has improved her relationship with food and it has also had a positive effect on her family, with her husband also losing weight and her sons, eight and 11, eating better.

"My relationship with food has improved massively," she said.

"I feel much more positive that the food I'm eating, is not only delicious, but it's good for me and my family."

But the lockdown has brought its challenges.

Jayne said: "My youngest son is autistic and the change in routine and bringing school home was a huge challenge.

"He really struggled with the change. My usual way of coping is comfort eating and that's what my husband and I were doing in the beginning and making bad food choices.

"I knew I had to do something to stop myself falling into a dangerous spiral of eating to comfort and then getting more down about how I looked and felt."

Now, Jayne feels confident, energised and uplifted due to the dietary changes.

"I feel really positive," she said.

"Slimming World does not cut anything out, so I never feel I'm on a diet.

"For me, I am an emotional eater, but I've learnt how to control this better, and make better choices.

"I also plan my meals for the week, so I am never hungry. My husband keeps telling people, we've never eaten so well. It's brilliant."

On a typical day before joining Slimming World, Jayne would eat thick toast, crisp, chocolate and whatever she could "bung in the oven for convenience".

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Now, Jayne starts her day with fruit and pancakes or an omelette and for lunch has a wrap or a bacon roll.

For an evening meal, the family have a homemade Slimming World recipe from the Slimming World app.

Read Jayne's full story here.

A Plymouth mum who was left feeling disheartened after wearing a "tent" to her dad's wedding has shed a whopping 4st in just seven months.

The 32-year-old was also suffering from aches and pains in her body due to her size, which made basic tasks, such as walking the dog, a big challenge.

At the beginning of this year, Emma Hallas weighed 17st 9lbs and took the plunge to join Slimming World, which has helped her get her confidence back.

She now weighs 13st 12lbs and is well on her way to her target weight of 12st.

"At my dad's wedding last year, as much as I was so excited for it I felt so uncomfortable all day," she said.

"Everyone was in such beautiful clothes and I just had to buy a tent-type dress to cover all my lumps and bumps.

"It was a lovely day but I battled with my self-confidence all weekend."

Emma, a mum-of-two, joined the Peverell Slimming World group in January and has drastically changed her typical diet of biscuits, pizza and cake.

She said: "I have done Slimming World in the past and know the plan truly works if you stick to it, making me want to return to the family and lose the weight again.

"I feel so much more confident in myself, Im so much more active and dont feel self-conscious about going out and wearing more fitting clothes.

"Before the diet I would happily buy packets of biscuits and eat them at my desk, buy more on my lunch break and eat another full packet when I got home.

"I would eat cakes with cream fillings and would have pizza pretty much everyday for dinner."

But now Emma has started cooking from scratch and has found a love for home-cooking.

She now eats "speed" foods in the mornings, such as melon, berries and yogurt, along with jacket potato and salad for lunch.

Emma admits she still enjoys a pizza every now and again.

"I can make pizzas from scratch and make them Slimming World friendly, I never feel like I'm missing out," she said.

Emma has faced challenges throughout lockdown, finding it difficult to plan her meals.

"Ive tried to do the plan from home before and it didnt work for me," Emma explained.

"My amazing consultant Vicki set up a Facebook page with every one for any help anyone needs and there are weekly Zoom meetings, which are always fun.

"Also just receiving a text to make sure you are okay helps to keep you motivated and on plan."

Read Emma's full story, here.

A young trainee doctor who said she was "eating her emotions" has managed to shed a whopping three-and-half stone.

Katie Boekestein admits she was never the girl that "hid behind her weight".

But she remembers a time where she felt embarrassed after sitting on a white plastic chair, and it collapsed under her.

But the tipping point for the now 21-year-old was realising the state of her health in the summer of 2018.

"I was 19 with an obese BMI, I was sat in multiple lectures hearing all about how obesity and central adiposity enhanced many different disease processes and syndromes," she explained.

"I decided this was not the path I wanted for my health and my body! It was affecting all parts of my life!

"My fitness, confidence and overall well-being was decreasing as I continued to put on weight during my first year of university.

"When I headed back to my family home, I decided that enough was enough and I wanted to change for my future."

She joined a group in Birmingham, but after "flouncing between a few", she settled with Lauren Fidler's Mount Gould Slimming World group.

"I decided to do Slimming world by myself to start off with, as my mum did it and was easy to just copy her!

"I started at 13st 3lbs. I carried most of my weight around my belly and I really didnt like it.

"I then joined group at 12st 6lbs and got down to my target in nine months. Life then got in the way and I fluctuated a bit, not noticing Id began to put on weight! One stone gain later, I needed to get it off to get back to target and thats when I joined Lauren's group."

Katie, who is a keen Netball player, has noticed a drastic improvement in her sporting ability and can now lift heavy weights.

She has plans to lose another 7lbs, but is not too focused on the numbers on the scale.

Katie said: "Id love to get to 9st 3lbs to say that Ive lost 4 st, however, Im now going on what my body looks like. Its not all about what the numbers say on the scales. I now have a toned belly.

"I feel so much happier, confident and bubbly. I feel that Ive given myself the best chance for my future and hope that as my dietary and exercise knowledge increases, Ill be able to help my future patients achieve similar things.

"I'm beginning to progress and I love what Im able to achieve now. My relationship with food has completely changed! I was eating and drinking my emotions.

"My portion sizes were immense, I had loads of take-outs, meal deals and even ate a burger for breakfast.

"Everything now, I aim to make from scratch, Ive always enjoyed cooking but now filling it with nutritious fruit and veg its much nicer."

On a typical day before joining Slimming World, whilst revising, Katie would eat beans on toast with white bread and full fat cheese for breakfast, followed by a cookie or brownie and an apple and orange.

She would then have a meal deal, with crisps and diet coast, followed by a big portion of spaghetti bolognese, with full fat mince, shop bought sauce and garlic bread.

Now, she has porridge and fruit for breakfast, pasta, salad and cooked meats for lunch, homemade Slimming World curry for dinner with cauliflower rice.

She also snacks on low calorie crisp and fruit.

The lockdown period brought new challenges for Katie, but she felt with the "continuous support" from her group, she was able to stay on track.

Read more of Katie's story, here.

A Plymouth teaching assistant has reached her goal weight during lockdown, despite obstacles in her way.

Tamsin Fleming has been at home on maternity leave with her two young children and was concerned about having "access to food all day long", but has found ways to keep herself on track.

The 30-year-old has been working her way through a vegetarian Slimming World recipe book, which not only keeps her busy, but has introduced tasty meals to her family.

Go here to read the rest:
Slimming World and WW weight loss superstars of the summer in Plymouth - Plymouth Live

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