Being told I was too overweight to skydive spurred me on to lose 4st

Country singer Rebecca in tune with slimmer self

A COUNTRY singer was spurred on to lose weight after being told she was too heavy to do a skydive.

Rebecca Stewart was preparing for the Young Farmers’ Clubs of Ulster charity event when she was turned away.

But the incident sparked a life-changing journey with Weight Watchers that has left her 3st 13lbs lighter.

She said: “I’m quite active with the Young Farmers’ Clubs of Ulster and they had planned to do a charity skydive.

“When I went along to the place the guy there took one look at me and said, ‘No, you’re far too heavy’.

“This made me really cross and I was determined to slim down. I was in my early 20s at the time and my friends were all going out on the town in skimpy dresses.

“I didn’t want to spend my 20s feeling overweight and unhappy and then look back regretting it – so I decided I was finally going to do it.”

Rebecca, from Coleraine, Co Derry, admitted her mindset was not right during previous visits to Weight Watchers.

But that all changed when she joined a group in Bushmills under leader Jackie Lawrence.

She added: “When I went back to Weight Watchers there was a new leader there called Jackie and she was brilliant right from the start.

“Everything just clicked into place and I was ready to go. Jackie explained to me about the No Count programme, but I felt it wouldn’t work for me. I really needed more control over what I was eating so I went with counting Smartpoints.

“I weighed everything religiously and put a lot of effort into following the programme exactly.

“I loved chocolate so I had to cut that right out and I also cut out takeaway food.

“The only time I allowed myself a bar of chocolate was after I had my weigh-in because I knew I had really worked for it and deserved it.

“I gave it 110% and I’m glad that I did because you really need to have that level of motivation and focus.

“I’m not a gym person, so I just began to take a daily walk and that was enough for me. With everything I was doing the first two-and-a-half stone just fell off me.”

Rebecca advised others attending Weight Watchers to stay for the meeting and use the support around you. She said: “When I was in Weight Watchers before I always just got weighed and left.

“This time was different. Jackie is so brilliant, her classes are the best craic and not only are you having a laugh but you’re learning too.

“The support of the group is so important and particularly the support of the leader.

CONFIDENT

“I’m two pounds off my goal weight and I think when I finally get there I will cry like a baby.

“My life has changed so much. I’ve become so much more confident and I’m trying things that I would’ve shied away from when I was heavier.

“I’m a country singer and I’ve always sung at weddings and other gigs but this year I took a big step and released my first single.

“It’s something I never would have had the nerve to do before.

“I used to always feel nervous when I stood up and performed. I worried how people would perceive me but not any more – I’m so proud of what I’ve achieved, now I just stand up and sing.”