Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Gail’s a marathon mum now she’s lost over 7st
A slimline Airdrie mum who previously couldn’t touch her toes is now running half marathons after reaching her target weight.
Gail Tennant has lost seven-and-a-half-stones in just over a year and as well as improving her fitness levels ten-fold, is also in contention for the Woman of the Year prize at her local Slimming World group.
Her dieting success means even more as it comes at the end of a long journey that saw Gail struggle to shed the pounds.
She said: “I have been overweight for as long as I can remember. I tried a few diets with my mum when I was a teenager and would lose a bit then get fed up and stop.
“I joined the territorial army at 18 hoping that would motivate me to lose weight and get fit, which it did for a short time, but I struggled to keep it going.
“The pattern has continued over the years; joining various different slimming clubs, losing a few stones, stopping and then putting even more back on.
“But I joined my local Slimming World group in March last year and haven’t looked back.
“I love the plan and my group. They are so supportive and our consultant Lynn [ Johnston], who has done fabulously herself in losing an amazing 13-stones, is such an inspiration to us all.”
Gail’s transformation has saw her complete four half marathons in the last year and she is loving her new-found zest for physical challenges.
She said: “I am definitely less breathless and have so much more energy.
“I was finding it difficult to touch my toes and had lost so much flexibility that I couldn’t even do simple warm-ups.
“I started running at 22-stones thinking it would help with weight loss and I managed to lose about 15 pounds over nine months.
“But, since joining Slimming World, I have lost seven-and-a-half-stones and my running times have improved dramatically.
“I have now completed many organised races, including four half marathons, and I have entered another two for later this year.
“I find that if I sign up to these runs and stick to them, they keep me motivated and determined to keep going.”
Gail’s hard work and dedication has been strongly supported by her loved ones, who even accompanied her on some of her exertions.
She said: “My family and friends are very proud of what I have achieved.
“My mum has come along to Slimming World with me and has also lost weight and my daughters have taken part in runs with me, and we have entered more later in the year.
“My husband is so supportive and he loves to talk to all of his friends and colleagues about my journey.
“He does all the cooking and our family favourite is Diet Coke chicken. As a whole family we are all definitely eating so much healthier.”
● Gail’s Slimming World consultant, Lynn Johnston, runs groups on a Monday at Springfield community centre in Clarkston and Airdrie’s Moyhall every Thursday, at 5.30pm and 7.30pm in both venues; contact 07947 888276 to find out more.