Our Hayley is a super slimmer
ASUPER slimmer from Runcorn met a soap star as she reached the semi-finals of a contest to find the UK and Ireland’s top female weight losers.
Hayley Willcott was one of just 39 women to win a place at the semifinals of Slimming World’s Woman Of The Year 2017 competition after losing an impressive 7st 4lbs.
It was there that she was congratulated by Adam Thomas, who is best known for playing the role of Adam Barton in Britain’s longestrunning soap, Emmerdale.
Hayley, 29, who slimmed from 17st 0.5lb to 9st 10.5lbs, made it through after members of her Runcorn group voted for her to be their representitive in the national Woman Of The Year competition.
She then went on to triumph at the regional heat, which saw her go through to the Woman Of The Year 2017 semi-finals at Slimming World’s head office in Derbyshire, but miss out on being the competition’s overall winner.
Hayley said: “Before I found Slimming World, losing weight always seemed such a struggle.
“If I wasn’t feeling hungry or deprived, it was the mental battles – like feeling as though I was missing out because I couldn’t socialise with my friends, go out for a meal or do things with my family.
“After I joined Slimming World it was as though my eyes were completely opened and I found a new way of eating that easily fit around my life.
“The changes I’ve made were so simple – little things like switching white bread for wholemeal and using low-calorie cooking spray instead of lots of oil.
“I noticed a change on the scales though – in my first week I lost 6.5lbs! I couldn’t believe it.
“What made it even easier was the fact that others – including family and friends – could eat the same meals.
“Favourites like spaghetti bolognaise, chicken tikka masala and even chips were all on the menu.
“I picked up loads of tips in my Slimming World group too. Everyone is full of ideas and advice, and their support really helped me to believe in myself and my ability to make a change.
“I honestly don’t think I could have done it without them!
“Losing weight has encouraged me to think about how active I am too, so I’ve taken up running and walk at least 10,000 steps a day. Slimming World has completely changed my life.”
Adam, who also appeared on I’m A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here!, was bowled over by Hayley’s transformation.
He said: “I couldn’t believe the change in Hayley, she looks incredible and has achieved so much.
“It’s really humbling to meet someone who has had the courage to turn their life around and do something positive.
“Everyone has been chatting about how much they love food today too, some of the Slimming ● World recipes sound great – a far cry from the grub you’d get in a Bushtucker Trial!”
Julie Hendrickson runs the Runcorn group that Hayley attends.
She said: “Hayley is a wonderful asset to our group.
“Her remarkable transformation has inspired so many of her fellow slimmers, so we feel very lucky to have her.
“The change on the outside is plain to see, yet she has changed so much inside, too.
“These days she’s bursting with confidence and ready to take on whatever challenges life throws at her. She’s beautiful inside and out, and we couldn’t be prouder of her.
“If Hayley has inspired anyone else in Runcorn who’d like to lose weight, they’re more than welcome to join our group at the Trinity Methodist Church or call me on 0151 283 0012.”