A healthcare assistant shed five stone after living in constant pain.
Rachael Halstead from Southport shed a third of her body weight after suffering from constant pain in her back and hip. Since her stunning transformation from 16st to 10st 13lbs the 54-year-old now has more energy to play with her grandchildren.
The mum-of-three joined Slimming World last year after talking to a friend about her desire to change her lifestyle. Despite her amazing story, she almost didn't make that first step despite her friend's encouragement.
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The healthcare assistant in the maternity unit at Ormskirk Hospital thanked her friend Bev for the help and has also seen a transformation in her husband's lifestyle. She said: “My husband, Ralph, has been eating the same as me and joined the gym and has also lost over four stone so far!
“It has been a complete lifestyle change for both of us. When I look back now, I am horrified at what we used to eat and drink.
“I have a sweet tooth and would eat whole bags of Haribo sweets. We were drinking alcohol and snacking most evenings. And when you drink alcohol, you tend to snack as well.
“We even had a ‘naughty drawer’ full of sweets and snacks. Our portion sizes have changed as well.
“My son Luke came to stay for a while, so I was cooking for three people, but when Luke left I was making the same amount but we were eating it between the two of us! We are both exercising a lot more now. We are walking the dog a lot more often and have joined a Nordic walking group in Banks.
“Meals have changed too. We are eating lots of fruit and veg, eating lean meat and making changes to how I cook. What we are eating now is far tastier and healthier than before. We have just stuck to the Slimming World plan, and cut right back on snacking and alcohol.”
Rachael thanked her friend Bev as well as her Slimming World consultant Dee Wright for the help. She said: “I was a little reluctant to come to Slimming World.
“I was at work with Bev, and we were talking about Bev’s weight loss. I said that I needed to lose weight and Bev said, ‘I’ll book you in for Friday with me’. When Friday came, I was still unsure about going and nearly didn’t go, but I knew that I needed to do something to lose weight. I think that you have to be in the right frame of mind, and you have to want to do it for Slimming World to work.
“When I sat and listened to the welcome talk with Consultant Dee Wright, I just thought to myself, 'I can do this'. Dee really gave me the encouragement and confidence to get on track.
“Since that day I haven't found it difficult at all. The Slimming World eating plan is quite easy to follow even when eating out.”
Southport Slimming World Consultant Dee Wright said: “What Rachael Halstead has achieved is truly inspiring and our group, and I, are very proud of her.
“When she joined us last May, booking was needed due to Covid restrictions. Thankfully that's no longer required now and members can just come along to a group. Bev gave her the gentle push she needed to walk through the doors to our group! She's absolutely focused on her goal and making her health a priority!
“It's often difficult to lose weight alone and being in our group really encourages mindset and motivation. Slimming World has 53 years in the psychology of slimming. It's at the heart of everything including our plan and our support!"
