A postwoman from Stalybridge has dropped almost six stone after swapping sweet treats for running.
Marie McCance noticed her weight had increased after being diagnosed with PTSD – at her heaviest weighing around 13 stone. The 32-year-old was “not careful” with her diet and often found herself devouring a full tub of Ben and Jerry’s ice-cream.
But everything changed when she fell pregnant with her youngest child – with Marie vowing to change her habits for good. Following the birth of her daughter, the mum-of-two kept up her healthy lifestyle and took up running, eventually shedding an amazing five-and-a-half stone in weight.
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“There was a picture taken in 2018 at my heaviest while I was pregnant with my daughter,” Marie, who delivers post Levenshulme, told the Manchester Evening News. “I was careful with what I was eating and started losing a bit of weight while I was pregnant.
“I started running in December 2019, it really helped my mental health and that’s why I kept doing it. Even now, if I’m worked up about something and go for a run, I will see it all completely different.
“Before I would just eat anything. I’ve got a really sweet tooth and before it was really bad, I would eat a full tub of Ben and Jerry’s. I don’t buy them now.”
“I’ve realised now that you can eat whatever you want as long as it’s limited, but you can eat as much as you want with certain foods. Like if I have cereal, I always weigh it so I’m just eating one portion.”
Though Marie hasn’t completely given up takeaways, she always ensures her tea is accompanied by a side salad or veg and also drinks two litres of water a day. She currently weighs seven-and-a-half stone.
“Because I’ve done it over a long time, I’ve adapted things differently,” she continued. “I didn’t just wake up one day and make a drastic change.”
Marie also found her weight and general health improved after having counselling sessions to help her PTSD, including a better sleep cycle.
Marie took on the Hero Half Marathon in Glossop on June 18 to raise funds for a charity set up by one of her customers. The Cindy Appleyard Foundation, in memory of baby Cindy, gives financial support to families whose poorly children stay in hospital for lengthy periods of time.
The grants help families meet costs such as temporary accommodation, travelling to and from hospital and taking time off work.
“I think Emily and Nick are a very strong couple,” Marie added. “I said I would raise them some money. That spurred me on.”
To donate, follow the link by clicking here.
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