Real Success

In this month’s letters, meet:

• New mum Samantha, who’s healthy, along with baby!
• Philip, whose health problems are in the past
• Samantha, whose job led to weight gain

And our third Samantha, who chose Slimming World over surgery

Healthy baby, healthy me!

I joined Slimming World in May 2006, as I was told by my GP that my weight was a hindering factor in me becoming pregnant. The group I joined was so welcoming and supportive that in 18 months I lost 6½ stones.

After losing the first couple of stones my periods came back, which showed that I was ovulating. With support from my Consultant and group of friends I continued to lose weight.

In February 2008 we discovered I was pregnant - after five years of trying! I truly believe that losing weight had a massive influence in me becoming pregnant.

Throughout my pregnancy I continued to attend my Slimming World group and follow the Food Optimising plan, as my midwife told me it was the best way to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

I had the best and healthiest pregnancy; I didn’t experience any morning sickness, heartburn or indigestion and felt wonderful throughout. I gained around 2½st, which my midwife told me was normal. I believe if I hadn’t kept going to group this would have doubled.

Two weeks after our beautiful daughter was born in September (weighing 8lb 15oz!), I returned to group, with only a pound gain since I last got weighed in June. I wanted to share this with any other mums-to-be out there; pregnancy doesn’t mean you have to stop Food Optimising! It’s the best way to stay healthy for you and your baby and ensure that after your little one has arrived you can still continue to follow the Slimming World plan with ease, maintaining your healthy lifestyle and working towards your target.

Thank you to all my friends at my Batley group who have supported me throughout the past nine months. Additional thanks goes to Lynne my Consultant who has offered so much support too.

From Samantha Seagrave

Philip’s changing his life

I recently underwent heart bypass surgery and promised myself and my doctor that I’d change my lifestyle.
The main problem was that I was about 8 stones overweight. I had high blood pressure, high cholesterol and I was
a smoker.

I’ve now started regular exercise at our local gym and stopped smoking. I’m also on medication to deal with my health problems. However, I knew I needed help with losing weight. My daughter Lucy stumbled across an advert in our local paper for a new Slimming World group that had recently opened - we decided we had nothing to lose (except weight!) so joined. We rather timidly walked in to our first meeting but soon the other members of the group were wishing us well and making us feel very welcome.

We both left feeling very motivated - in my first week I lost over 9lbs and Lucy lost 2lbs. We’ve been attending regular meetings since and in 7 weeks I’ve already lost nearly 2 stones and Lucy’s lost 1 stone.

The main reason for my success is our Consultant Natasha – she’s full of fun and motivation.  With the encouragement and the support she gives to the group I know I’ll achieve my goal of losing 100lbs - the first 2 stones has already changed my life for the better.

From Philip Britchford

(continued above)

Samantha’s slimming and socialising!

I never really had to worry about my weight when I was younger; I was curvy but I liked it.

Then when I was 19 I decided to become a holiday rep. I loved it, but it did have its bad points. The job isn’t as much fun as it seems. I’d work over 48 hours straight sometimes, due to late night airport transfers, bar crawls, cabarets, hotel visits, team meetings - the list could go on forever! So fitting in time to eat a healthy meal went straight out the window and because I was having such a good time I didn't worry about it. However, at the end of each summer I’d return home another dress size bigger. My dad would bring my weight up in conversation, I’d be defensive and so it was easier if no one mentioned it.

All good things must come to an end, and after four years of a mad hectic lifestyle I hung up my clipboard and court shoes. I did notice that the weight began falling off, which I put down to not eating the junk food like I was before. However I then started working as a travel agent and a few biscuits at tea break became the norm - the weight started to creep back on.

My mum had been to Slimming World and had lost a lot of weight. I thought to myself if she could do it, then so could I. But the real turning point for me wanting to go was that I’m unlucky in love - always meeting the wrong kind of bloke and getting hurt. But if I didn’t like myself, how was anyone else supposed to like me? So off I went to my first group - everyone was really helpful and I felt so positive during my first week, that mum and my dad decided to come along with me.

We’ve all been doing Slimming World for about five months now. We have our up and down weeks, but that’s the great thing about it - you don’t feel bad if you’ve put on a couple of lbs, because with a little bit of determination it’s off the next week (plus a little bit extra!).

I’ve lost 1st 9lbs now. I’ve got a while until I get to my target, but I’ve also joined the gym to help my weight loss even more. I still love going out at the weekend and having a good time - I use my Syns on Saturday night so I can enjoy a vodka or two - but the following day it’s no greasy fry up for my hangover, just a nice big grilled breakfast instead!

From Samantha Hayter

It was surgery or Slimming World for Samantha

I was at my wits end about my weight, and after reading all about Fern Britton having surgery, I thought well if she can do it then what’s stopping me? The only thing that put an end to that idea was the price of the surgery.

So off I went to see my doctor. After having a really intense chat we both realised that surgery would be a waste of time, money and pain. I was shocked that I’d been consuming so many hidden calories – learning to eat healthily was the key. I returned home and went straight on my laptop to search for my nearest Slimming World group.

Hey presto, five minutes around the corner a group was meeting the very next day.
Off I went, excited, nervous, not sure what to expect, but to my surprise, I was greeted by smiles and a very understanding Consultant.

I’ve stuck to Food Optimising and 1 stone later, more eager than ever, I’ve made some fantastic friends on my journey. I look forward to Tuesday and get so excited for everyone else when the weight shifts for them. This is not a diet; it’s the beginning of the rest of my life, and wow what a journey!

From Samantha Webb