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How one mum and daughter lost 6 stone

Heather Gibson, 53, and her 24-yearold daughter, Rachel, have lost an impressive 6st-plus between them…

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There’s nothing like the achievemen­t of losing weight and feeling like you’ve turned your life around. For me, that joy was doubled because my daughter, Rachel, and I lost weight together – and I’m so proud of both of us.

It’s amazing how much your weight can affect how you feel about yourself. Like most women, I’ve always been aware of my shape and, over the years, I’ve kept a close eye on my figure.

I was always slim at school and, when I got married to my husband, Mark, in June 1990, I was a trim size 12 – perfect for my 5ft 7in frame.

I joined my local Slimming World group in our home town of Formby, Merseyside, after having my two daughters, Emma, now 26, and Rachel, 24, and got back down to my normal weight. But, around 2012, the pounds started to creep on.

I can’t even say why. I was a nurse, but I worked a typical nine-to-five week, so I can’t blame my job. If I’m honest, I’d just got into a bad routine. I’d have a takeaway most nights, accompanie­d by a glass of wine, and far too many crisps.

I was wearing a size 16, but really I should have been buying the next size up. And, as time went by, it really started to get to me.

I’d always loved going shopping with my daughters, but now I hated trying clothes on. Elasticate­d waists were my new favourites, and I lived in leggings and baggy tops.

Even going out for a meal with Mark became something to dread. I had no willpower, so I’d eat a full three-course meal, then spend the rest of the week feeling guilty.

One day in September 2015, pulling on my scrubs at work, I was complainin­g – again – to my colleagues about how I hated the way I looked. I was at my lowest point. I hadn’t been out with friends or family for a year and, looking back, I think I was becoming depressed.

I think I’d just expected my colleagues to say I looked fine, but one of them mentioned she’d started Slimming World and she felt so much better for it. ‘ Why don’t you give it a try?’ she asked.

Suddenly, I remembered how good I’d felt after I’d gone to Slimming World to lose my pregnancy weight. At home that night, I researched my nearest group, and went to the next Saturday-morning session at 8.30am.

Weighing in at 15st 5lb, I couldn’t quite believe I’d allowed myself to get so big. It would have been easy to feel discourage­d, but my Consultant, Carol, was really supportive. I knew I could change my weight – and my life.

At home, I had a diet overhaul. I started to notice just how unhealthy my eating patterns had been. By making small changes as well as bigger ones, the weight started to drop off me.

By Christmas, I’d lost 2st, and already felt so much better about myself. Clothes were fitting better, I didn’t feel as selfconsci­ous, and my confidence was back.

The best thing was, I didn’t have to deny myself; I just had to be sensible. I could still have a takeaway every now and then – I’d just choose chicken and black bean sauce rather than a creamy and calorific korma.

‘Mum, you look great!’ said Rachel, a beauty therapist, on Christmas Day. She’d had her son, Harrison, in July 2015, and was trying to lose her baby weight. It wasn’t a lot, but she’d always been superslim – her school prom dress was a size 6 – and she wanted to get back to normal.

In January, at 10st 9lb, she joined my group and, that first week, she lost 3lb.

It was great having Rachel with me. We’d swap recipe ideas and she’d text to ask what I was having for dinner and tell me what she was cooking. Having that extra support from someone who was doing the same thing really pushed me.

Within three months, Rachel was back to her normal weight of 9st 2lb and size 8 and, by October 2016, I’d dropped an amazing 5st.

I can hardly explain the difference it’s made. I feel like a new woman – and I have the energy to be a better nurse, wife, mum and grandmothe­r. I’ve thrown out all my old size-16 clothes and replaced them with size 12s, because I know I’m at this weight to stay. At 53, I’ve learnt habits that will be with me for life.’

Rachel says,

‘ While I was pregnant with Harrison, I’d obviously put on weight. But when he was born, I didn’t think I’d have the time to concentrat­e on slimming down as well as look after a newborn.

‘But when Mum joined Slimming World, she seemed like a completely different person. It was like a light had been turned on inside her. Plus, the meals didn’t seem overly complicate­d or too time-consuming.

‘I was so nervous when I went to my first meeting in January 2016. I’m not sure I could have gone in without Mum by my side – but I’m so glad I did.

‘My partner, Nik, proposed at Christmas, so I can’t wait to start trying on wedding dresses now that I’m back in shape. It’s definitely the best decision we’ve both made.’

 ??  ?? Changing her eating patterns helped Heather to shed the pounds
Changing her eating patterns helped Heather to shed the pounds
 ??  ?? Rachel and Heather both wanted to get back in their best shape
Rachel and Heather both wanted to get back in their best shape
 ??  ?? Fast results: Rachel is back to 9st 2lb, while Heather’s a trim 10st 5lb
Fast results: Rachel is back to 9st 2lb, while Heather’s a trim 10st 5lb

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