Losing weight changed my life Says East Calder’s woman of the year
A super slimmer is ready to face a new year a lot more confident thanks to her life- changing 4st 3.5lb weight loss.
Kathleen Ki r ton from Pumpherston has gone from 20st 11.5lb to 16st 8lb.
More than half of all women in the UK and Ireland ( 58 per cent) are overweight, said Slimming World, and a quarter of women’s weight is so high it risks impacting on their health.
Kathleen, who has gone from a dress size 22 to a 14, said: “I never could have dreamt that I’d be in this position when I first began my weight loss journey.
“Losing weight has made such a big difference to me. My health is better, I have more energy, I’m happier and I feel more comfortable in my own skin.”
She joined Slimming World after becoming increasingly unhappy with her size.
“I hated what I saw in the mirror and my clothes didn’t fit,” said Kathleen.
“The last time I went on holiday abroad was seven years ago. I felt awful as I could barely fit into the seat on the plane but since losing weight I went away this year and even wore a bikini for the first time ever.
“I had tried lots of different ways to lose weight but they usually left me feeling hungry or miserable – or both. With Slimming World it’s completely different.
“My family and friends are all amazed by how much I can eat and still lose weight.
“I still eat many of the same meals that I did before I started losing weight, like chips, spaghetti bolognese and diet Coke chicken.
“Now I just prepare and cook them differently and they taste so much better.
“I never have to miss out and I don’t have to get hung up on weighing and measuring everything I eat. I’ve picked up lots of new healthy recipes from the other members at my Slimming World group, too.”
Kathleen continued: “I know a lot of people worry about joining a slimming club because they don’t know what to expect.
“Right from the first moment I walked into my Slimming World group I felt comfortable though and the support I’ve received has been amazing.
“I look forward to going each week to catch up with all of my new friends and share tips, recipes and advice. I just love it.”
Kathleen lost 8lb in her first week and was blown away that the changes she’d made had such a big impact so quickly.
As the weight started to come off her fitness improved. Kathleen now loves boxing and pilates.
She said: “I feel like a different woman to the one who walked into Slimming World for the first time and also winning woman of the year is a real honour because there are so many amazing women in our group.
“I remember feeling like there was no hope when it came to my weight but I’ve realised that when people believe in you and you believe in yourself you can do anything you set your mind to.
“I really hope my weight loss can inspire other people to get started on their own journey and know that there’s a whole group of people waiting to support them every step of the way, especially at the East Calder group.
“My goal now is to hit my target and stay there for life, which I know I can do.”
Sue Scorer, who runs the East Calder group, said: “I’m so proud of Kathleen.
“She’s a fantastic ambassador for Slimming World and what she’s achieved is nothing short of incredible.
“She’s a huge inspiration to everyone in our group and I hope she inspires other women and men in East Calder to change