From comfort eater to confident cook
A SLIMMER who transformed her life by losing three stone is using her success to shape a whole new career , by helping other people change their lives and achieve their weight loss dreams.
Jane Healey joined her local Slimming World group in Whitchurch just 12 months ago and dropped three stone, going from a size 22 to a size 16.
She has since trained as a consultant for Slimming World – the UK’s largest group-based weight-loss organisation, recently graduating at the national training academy in Derbyshire.
Jane said: “My weight has affected me all my life and it is something I’ve struggled with. My family believed that you had to finish everything on the plate before you left the table and we were also rewarded with chocolate and cream cakes.
“At the age of 12 I weighed 12 stone which made school years very difficult and my struggle with weight began.
Like many other slimmers I’ve tried numerous diets, including mealreplacement diets that limited me socially – my friends thought that I was avoiding them.
“Soup diets lead to unpleasant side effects, so I began missing out on meals and even counting every calorie.
“In my 30s I did manage to get to a size 10 by following a calorie-counting diet, but this wasn’t sustainable and the weight went back on very quickly. The constant dieting and weight gain not only had drastic effects on my confidence and self esteem, but also on my health. In my early 40s I was diagnosed with gall stones and had to have my gall bladder removed. The GP advised that this likely caused by the yo-yo dieting.
“I had received a flyer through the door from the local Slimming World Group and kept it, promising myself that I would join – maybe after the weekend or the next social event. I found every excuse to delay having to face up to the scales and accept that I needed to do something.
“At the end of 2016, Christmas was around the corner and I knew that I couldn’t put off the inevitable to January. I’d been struggling with anxiety following the loss of my mum the previous year, and I was also suffering from bouts of flu. I was finding it hard to accept that my weight was causing me to wheeze going upstairs. I would be turning 50 in 2018, and my emotional well-being and health were at an all-time low. I fished out that leaflet and went to the local group.
“In my first week I lost 4lbs and amazingly the Food Optimising plan fitted so well into my life that for the very first time my husband and I were eating the same foods. It fitted into my life so seamlessly, that my husband was astonished at the quality of food, and that we were still able to go out for meals and have a social life. Along with that I ushered my husband, a trained chef, out of the kitchen and started to prep meals myself for the very first time.
“I went from not eating any fruit or veg and stuffing myself with giant sandwiches, crisps and chocolate bars, to enjoying cooking full English breakfasts, curries and even chips. I never ate pasta and now one of my favourite meals that is both filling and comforting is chicken and cherry tomato pasta bake.
“When I joined the group in Whitchurch Community Centre I was fearful of walking in through the door, however the warm welcome, fun and support I received on my first morning was amazing and I found myself staying each week not just to weigh but also really appreciating all the tips and recipes the members would share.
“Plus, if you were ever struggling with anything the support from the members and Slimming World consultant Natalie was outstanding. Nat always knew when to text message or send cards of support when most needed.
“Sadly a few weeks after joining the group in Whitchurch Community Centre my Dad passed away. It was a tough time but with the support of the group and from Natalie I got through – and not only got through, but continued to lose weight. The principles of Food Optimising are so simple and not at all restrictive, so I was able to make sensible choices even at that time.
“The difference in my life is the amount of energy and confidence I have now, plus we’ve saved a fortune on takeaways!”
Jane’s group starts on Saturday, January 20, 2018, at the Heath Citizens Community Hall, King George V Drive East, Cardiff CF14 4EP. Classes are at 7.30am and 9.30am.