A woman has said an effective weight loss plan saved her life after 20 years of being a size 24 and in the weeks leading up to health checks gaining even more weight.
Chris Hayward from Greasby, in the UK, said that when she was at her heaviest she weighed 21 stones 3.5lbs and was a size 28-30 in clothes.
However, after some routine blood tests revealed the real impact of her weight on her health, Chris decided to work hard to lose it and signed up for a Slimming World programme.
READ MORE: The best time for weight loss and burning belly fat identified in men and woman
Speaking to the Liverpool Echo, the 65-year-old said: "I went to my GP just for some routine blood tests and one came back as being really borderline for diabetes. I've got diabetes type two in my family and I'm thinking 'I don't want to go down that track if I can avoid it.'
"I just thought it was getting ridiculous. I spent 20 odd years as a size 24 and then in a few weeks leading up to this I'd put on quite a lot of weight in a really short space of time and gone up several sizes. I was thinking 'this is silly I've got to do something about this, otherwise I'm not going to be around for my kids.'"
Chris said at first she was apprehensive about joining her local Slimming World back in August 2018, but she said after biting the bullet she was made to feel really welcome by her consultant and other members.
After four months of work, her new blood tests revealed her bloods were back within normal range and she was no longer at risk of type two diabetes.
By Christmas the following year, Chris had lost seven and a half stone through following Slimming World’s Food Optimising eating plan and their Body Magic programme, which encourages members to build their physical activity levels at their own pace.
Chris said: “Along with eating healthier, I also focused on Body Magic. I swam a mile twice a week and walked at least an hour on alternative days, regardless of the weather.
"Three or four miles of relaxing headspace, that feel-good factor helped changed my shape in a positive way. I started to like what I saw in the mirror, finally. By my 63rd birthday, I'd lost just over eight stone."
Chris has now lost an incredible 10st 12.5lbs in total after reaching her target weight in June last year, and she has dropped over seven dress sizes, going from a size 28-30 to a size 12-14.
She said: "I have worked really hard. I've been more determined than ever in my life. I think part of it was the welcoming environment and that feeling of comradery you get in group. Basically, you've got to confess each week if you've done well or not and it doesn't matter if you've not because we've all been there at one time, you get a round of applause either way.
"It's a whole lifestyle, to be honest, it's not just the food. I reckon it saved my life in the long run because it stopped me from going down the diabetes line and I'm so much fitter and healthier. Virtually every day someone says how fabulous I look. I feel amazing."
Chris's diet before she lost weight:
- Breakfast: Cereal and/or toast with jam or marmalade
- Lunch: Two packets of sandwiches, crisps and fruit or a bar of chocolate
- Dinner: Curry or chilli made with a jar of ready-made sauce
- Snacks: Average of three packets of crisps a day
Chris's diet now:
- Breakfast: 2 small pieces of wholemeal toast with scrambled egg, mushrooms and tomatoes
- Lunch: Prawn salad
- Dinner: Gammon, egg, tomatoes and salad
- Snacks: Low-calorie packet of crisps or fruit
READ NEXT:
Peculiar scene as €50 notes scattered along Irish quay as gardai issue warning to public
Urgent solar storm alert sparks Ireland blackout fears as huge flare heads towards Earth
Ex-Penneys worker explains the ‘one thing’ you should avoid when shopping in-store
Cheapest time to use your washing machine each day to save money on energy bills during summer
Met Eireann issues crushing heatwave update as experts spot freak jet stream vortex
Get breaking news to your inbox by signing up to our newsletter .
