A Co Antrim couple say they have been given their life back now that they are 10 stone lighter together.
Bobby and Sarah Lorimer from Ballymena had tried many ways to lose weight and every time there was a new diet on the market or every new year that came around they started, but it never lasted very long.
The couple had both got to a place where their weight was out of control.
Read more: 'I dropped eight dress sizes': NI woman's inspiring weight loss journey
“We were so fed up because of how it was starting to make us feel. Then Alan McCombe, Sarah’s dad told us about this group called Slimming World, that he had started and he was losing weight,” Bobby, 40, explained.
“Not only that, he was still eating some lovely meals and foods too, and having a weight loss!”
The couple were so curious to find out more but even more so when they then saw and heard that Alan had lost five stone and looked incredible. They decided to take the step to go to a class.
After they plucked up the courage to go along, on the first morning they were met by the consultant who put them at ease right from walking through the doors.
“We were so nervous because we had tried so many things before and just thought it would be something else to try and not get results,” Sarah, 36, added.
“We sat at the new member area and the food optimising plan was explained to us. We learnt how to eat healthily without feeling deprived, come to enjoy food and home cook more than ever thanks to food optimising as nothing is banned. Some foods are just in moderation,” said Bobby.
As a great cook himself, Bobby couldn’t believe that he would still be able to enjoy making his favourite meals but when done the Slimming World way, it would mean they'd still lose weight.
Sarah explained: “We had take outs two or three times a week and we snacked every evening while watching TV before coming to the group. I was really delighted to know that we could still have a takeaway meal or make a 'fakeaway' so the cooking started - chilli con carne and lasagne - you name it, we tried it!
“One of our favourite meals before from the takeaway would have been honey chilli chicken and chips and the kids loved pizza. We were so shocked to be able to make these dishes and on the very first week have one stone off between us!”
Bobby said he and Sarah slotted straight into the group from day one.
“We love the way no one looks down on anyone, there is no judgement in anything that has happened in anyone's week and if anyone is struggling everyone is there to help. We do not really see it as a group more as a family get together and we have made so many new friends.”
The couple started losing weight every week, and couldn’t believe how extra easy it was to follow the plan and as each stone weight loss built, so too did their friendships in group.
“In group we were also told about activity and how it would be really important when we were ready to get started. This was what would help us along with food optimising and image therapy, get to our target weight and maintain this for the rest of our lives,” said Sarah.
“We had been so unfit before so it really was about making small steps to do more activity. The best thing was that anything counted so days out to the beach where we were running up and down and playing with the kids all counted.
”This helped us achieve our 'body magic' awards in group and of course the kids loved that mummy and daddy where spending so much time and being so much more active with them too.”
Bobby added: “Never in my life did I think that I would do any exercise, never mind being asked to row up the Bann for charity. I simply couldn’t have done that before but now six stone lighter I was up for it.
“I was so proud of myself for doing it and even more so because my son, brother and nephew were with me doing it too! We cycle and even the family dog gets in on the action with plenty of walks.”
When asked what their favourite part of their weight loss journey has been so far, Bobby says: “Sarah has enjoyed having a great excuse to buy lots of new clothes as she has now lost four stone! All joking aside, the best part has been being able to do more activities with the kids.
”Beforehand, we were unable to go on the same things as them in the amusements for example due to our weight and to hear their laughter and see their smiles from beside them rather than watching from afar has to be the greatest reward of all.
”We've made great friends on our journey so far from within our group too and we are building that each week. I cannot thank my group enough or Slimming World for giving us our life back, healthier, happier and more excited for the future now that we are 10 stone lighter together.”
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