Shaping up for the
A 36- ye a r - old super slimmer from Livingston has reached the semi-finals of a competition to find the UK and Ireland’s top female slimmers.
And she got to meet Hollyoaks heartthrob Jamie Lomas.
Kerry Laurie was one of just 44 women to win a place at the semifinals of Slimming World’s Woman of the Year 2018 competition after losing an impressive 6st 8.5lbs. It was there that she was congratulated by Jamie, also known for his roles in EastEnders and Coronation Street.
Kerry , who slimmed from 16st 12lbs to 10st 3.5lbs, made it to the semi- finals after members of her Bathgate group voted for her to be their representative 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 2018 semi-finals at Slimming World’s head office in Derbyshire.
She says: “Before I found Slimming World everything just felt like such a struggle. Simple tasks would become massive chores because I’d get out of breath so easily, and having so much weight to lose just felt like a huge battle.
“After I joined Slimming World rld it was as though my eyes were ere completely opened and I found a new way of eating that easily fit around my life.
“What made it even easier was that I could still enjoy the same meals as my friends and family.
“Old favourites like spaghetti i Bolgnese and chicken curry were e all still on the menu, I just prepared d and cooked them differently.
“The changes I’ve made were so o simple – little things like switching ng white bread for wholemeal and nd using low- calorie cooking spray ay instead of lots of oil.
“I noticed a big change on the scales though – in my first week I lost ost 5.5lbs. I couldn’t believe it.
“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 yoga, Body Jam, Sh’Bam and running with my husband and two daughters. Slimming World has completely changed my life.”
Jamie, who also appeared on I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! couldn’t believe Kerry’s transformation.
He said: “Kerry looks absolutely fantastic, she’s done amazingly well to change her life around. She seems so full of confidence now and that’s really great to see.”
Tracey Halliday, who runs the Bathgate group that Kerry attends, said: “Kerry 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 on the inside, too. These days she’s ready to take on whatever challenges life throws at her and we couldn’t be prouder of her.
“If Kerry has inspired anyone else in Bathgate or West Lothian who’d like to lose weight, I’d love them to join our group at The Glenmavis Tavern or call me on 07595 295697.”
Unfortunately Kerry was not the overall winner of the competition. Slimming World’s Woman of the Year 2018 will be announced in November.