I lost 4st 10lb and it helped me step into the spotlight
15st 10lb
Achieving a healthy weight has benefits reaching far beyond what we can see. Eating well and knowing your body is fitter also vastly improves your mental health.
Charlotte Randall’s incredible 4st 10lb weight loss has boosted her confidence so much she has literally stopped hiding in the shadows and stepped into the spotlight.
Musical theatre student Charlotte, 19, says: “I was always the girl hiding at the back of the stage in the dark, too self-conscious of my weight to put myself forward.
“I worried I’d only ever get ‘big girl’ roles. And because my self-esteem was so low, I rehearsed relentlessly to try to build confidence.
“Since losing weight I feel so much more confident, I can run through scripts after around 10 minutes and absolutely love standing centre stage.
“Nagging weight worries no longer bring me down or hold me back.”
Charlotte, who won Slimming World’s Young Slimmer of the Year 2018, felt she was always the biggest and tallest girl in her class at school. When she turned 16, she put on 4st 7lb in 12 months and realised her 15st 10lb weight was ruining the happiness of her teenage years.
“Putting on so much weight so quickly left me with stretchmarks on the outside, and consumed and embarrassed me on the inside. Things that often cheer up teenage girls, like going shopping, were ruled out for me because at a size 20 I just constantly wore black jeans and baggy grey jumpers to disguise my body. Instead I bought make-up to hide behind.
“On a theme park date with my boyfriend Scott, I needed a seat-belt extension on a rollercoaster. The humiliation of sitting there while staff tried and failed to click my belt together, and the fear of being kicked off the ride because of my size, ruined not just my day but the next few months.”
Joining Slimming World in her hometown of Worthing, West Sussex, in November 2016 was a turning point for Charlotte, who is 5ft 10in. Over the next year she slimmed to 11st and a size 10-12.
“Most people my age would turn to the internet as the first place to find help in losing
VITAL STATS HER MENU NOW
Breakfast: Porridge topped with fresh fruit Mid-morning: A fat-free yogurt Lunch: A jacket potato with salad Mid-afternoon: Fresh fruit, including mango and pineapple Dinner: Home-made curry or stir-fry Evening: A small chocolate b
Name: Charlotte Randall Age: 19 Height: 5ft 10in/1.78m Starting weight: 15st 10lb Current weight: 11st Weight loss: 4st 10lb Starting dress size: 18/20 Current dress size: 10/12 weight.” she says. “But I went with my mum to a Slimming World group and found a friendly mini community where people supported me when I was doing well, and not so well.”
As Charlotte’s weight reduced, her confidence climbed and low moods disappeared. “I used to hate activity because it made me hot and sweaty and I worried people were looking at me,” she says. “Now I do extra dance classes at uni and love going to the gym because it makes me feel strong.
“I don’t feel self-conscious wearing gym wear all day, I love shopping for brightly coloured clothes and I’ve toned down my make-up because I don’t need a mask. I’m no longer the big girl waiting in the wings – I’m the smiling, confident one dancing at the very front.”