A Belfast woman is celebrating her birthday on Thursday with a new-found confidence after embarking on a weight loss journey.
Louise Crooks, who turns 40 today, avoided attending social events in fear of who would be there, and what they would think of her. Her weight "stole her confidence" and she spent most of her time at home, where she felt at ease.
But when her health began to deteriorate, Louise, who is a mum-of-two, joined a local Slimming World group on the Grosvenor Road - and has shed four pounds off seven stone.
Read more: Belfast man sheds six stone in 16 months after hospital scare
"My body was telling me that I needed to make a change," she said.
"I was taking prescription medication everyday - which caused swelling - making already difficult tasks like tying my shoelaces almost impossible. I constantly felt tired and got into a habit of comforting myself with food. I knew I needed to lose weight and I wanted to; but after numerous failed attempts, I wasn't sure I could.
"I would always avoid social events because I would worry about who was there, what they might think of me or what they might say. I never felt comfortable so it was easier to stay at home. My weight had completely stolen my confidence and I knew I needed to find it again."
Louise suffered from high blood pressure, mobility issues and was borderline diabetic when she first walked through the doors of Lee McCrudden's Slimming World group.
"I remember ringing Lee on Friday evening and by the next morning, I was sitting in his group learning about how the plan worked," she added.
"I sat with Adam and Pauline who had both joined the week before me and had already lost 12lbs. The group session really motivated me and everyone was more than willing to help me and for the first time ever, I believed I could do it".
Aftering attending the group for one year, Louise is now approaching her target weight having lost 6st 10lbs. With her new-found lease of life, she is now looking forward to going on her first holiday abroad with her family.
"I feel on top of the world," she said.
"Losing weight has changed my life in so many ways. I've now said goodbye to my daily medication, I can move without pain and most importantly, it's helped bring my family and I closer together. I feel younger in a way and think I've become more relatable to my two daughters.
"We can now go shopping together, enjoy family events together and I can even borrow some of their clothes. Joining Lee's group is the best decision I have ever made. I'm so happy and it's all thanks to my Grosvenor road group for supporting me when I needed it most.
"I'm so excited to jet off to somewhere sunny and actually feel comfortable in the heat. I can't wait to wear the things that I want to wear - not just what I could get in my size. It's going to be amazing,"
Lee McCrudden, who runs multiple groups across West Belfast, said: "Louise is a shiny example of what can be achieved within our groups. All of our members know how it feels to be unhappy with your weight; and they go above and beyond to help every person that comes through our doors."
For more details on Lee’s group, visit here.
READ NEXT:
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- Co Antrim mum's pride at maintaining her target weight over the past 12 years
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