My new look made me long for summer season
A summer full of family weddings in 2016 was something to look forward to rather than dread.
As local lady Janette Chalmers raised a glass of bubbly to celebrate alongside the happy couples, she was also toasting her own magnificent success, having lost almost four stone.
Janette spent most of her 30s avoiding photographs and shopping for clothes was a chore to be endured rather than enjoyed.
Her weight crept up and she tried all sorts of diets with no success as she was permanently hungry.
Hating having to weigh and measure everything she ate, and seeming permanently hungry, this led to binge eating and Janette gaining even more weight. The weight just kept piling on and comfort eating became the norm.
The prospect of being overweight in family wedding photographs for years to come proved to be the tipping point.
Janette joined her local Slimming World group in Whitburn in April 2015. She said: “I can honestly say it is one of the best things I have ever done, my life has changed completely.
“Twelve months on I have reached my target, losing just under four stone.”
Not only does she feel so much better, she feels fitter and much more confident. Shopping for wedding outfits has become a pleasure and she can smile in the photos, she’s not trying to hide anymore.
Joining her local group was made easy for her, she set her own target and the support she received from Ally, her consultant, was tremendous.
Janette said: “Ally was always on hand to give help and advice. The group was so friendly and I found sharing their successes was a great source of inspiration and encouragement. I love that members share lots of recipes and ideas in group each week, it gives me encouragement to try new things. As someone who enjoys cooking and eating, I can say the process was never a hardship and I never felt hungry.”
With little or no weighing, Janette could continue to eat all her favourite foods such as spaghetti bolognese and curry.
Amazed that carbs could continue to be part of her weight-loss plan, Janette never became bored with the options available.
The recipe for szechuan beef is a current favourite, along with fantastic soups and stir fries, all made using Slimming Worlds Food Optimising Plan.
She found she could even enjoy a curry at her local Indian restaurant without feeling guilty.
One year on, colleagues walk past Janette at work, not recognising the new her.
She receives fantastic comments from family and friends and this has gone a long way to boosting her confidence and self-esteem and she finds she smiles a lot more.
Also, a new grandmother (one with lots more energy) Janette can’t wait for the celebrations to continue.
Janette has now trained as a consultant for Slimming World, the UK’s largest group-based weight loss organisation, at their training academy in Derbyshire.
Now she is opening her own group in Blackburn. Janette’s Slimming World group will be held at Blackburn Masonic Hall every Tuesday at 7.30pm from Tuesday, July 12.
For more information or to join Janette’s group either pop along on July 12 or call her on 07900 261703.
For details on Slimming World visit www. slimmingworld.co.uk or call 0344 897 8000 or visit www. slimmingworld.com.
I can honestly say it is one of the best things I have ever done, my life has changed completely