Herts Slimming Club Success Stories
We are proud whenever a member gets to their target weight and achieves their own personal goal. The hard work doesn't stop for Herts Slimming Clubs as we provide ongoing support and help to all our target weight members regularly weighing and talking to them about maintaining their weight. These are some of our many recent success stories.
Sarah Harding, aged 23 - Lost 6 stone
My weight problems began in childhood, I can never remember being a normal weight. By the time I was 17, I was 16 stone and felt fat and frumpy. I was a travel agent and the world should have been at my feet but I felt frightened and alone, trapped inside a huge body. It was while feeling this low that I met Martin, who saw past the fat and liked me for who I was. We began going out together and although I was happy the relationship added to my weight problem. We moved in together within 4 months of meeting and spent most evenings snuggling down to watch a video, complete with a bottle of wine and a takeaway.
My favourite was Kentucky Fried chicken, and then sometimes we’d polish off a big bag of Doritos and a large bag of malteasers. My weight crept up. I would feel myself getting bigger but Martin was unconcerned. Eighteen months later my weight had risen to 17 ½ stone, Martin proposed, but the ring he had brought barely fitted over my fingers. It made me feel humiliated. I had to have the ring enlarged.
My weight continued to rise and 6 months later I found myself wearing a red size 26 dress for a wedding where Martin was being best man. I weighed 19 stone by then and although Martin paraded me around so proud of his fiancée, I felt like a huge red blamange. When I saw the photos I cringed with shame. Our holiday photos, taken shortly afterwards in Gran Canaria also confirmed that it was time to do something about my weight.
"I joined Herts Slimming in October 2000. I had heard about it through a friend"
I joined Herts Slimming in October 2000. I had heard about it through a friend, and although I was sceptical, as I had tried slimming clubs before, I went along. The group leader went through my lifestyle questionnaire and allocated me the basic principle-eating plan she also explained how I had to weigh and measure my portions and gave me a free choice calorie allowance.
The first week I lost 3 ½ lbs, then 1-2 pounds a week after that. I cut out the regular takeaways, but I still enjoyed all my favourite foods, even the occasional Kentucky fried chicken, and was amazed I still lost weight. I always made sure I brought lots of low cal treats and allowed myself things, like kits kats and alcohol from my free choice allowance. Keeping a food diary also helped.
By October 2002 I had shed six stone. I decided that I needed to do some exercise so I joined the gym and was surprised to find that people of all shapes and sizes went, not just skinny people in spandex. I can’t say in all honesty I really enjoy but I do it because I know it is helping tone up my body. I also began to go out and socialise with my friends something I had not had the confidence to do very often before.
"The first week I lost 3 ½ lbs, then 1-2 pounds a week after that."
I always felt so fat next to them in their skimpy outfits, and I always felt they somehow pitied me because of my weight. With losing 6 stone I felt normal, being able to buy size16 clothes in normal shops instead of always having to go to Evans and buying size 26 was a big buzz for me.
I went on holiday to Barbados with work colleagues and realised that there were so many things I hadn’t done. I looked so much better than ever before and felt so much happier and confident about myself. That holiday changed my life and made me rethink my future. I was so young when I met Martin and now the world was at my feet. I made the heart wrenching decision to call off my wedding and my relationship to allow me to live my life fully while I am still young before I made such a commitment in life.
Losing this amount of weight has changed my life totally. I am always bumping into people who I haven’t seen in a while and who can’t believe how much weight I’ve lost or who don’t even recognise me! I would still like to lose another 2 stone, which will get me to my target, since the separation I have managed to maintain my weight but I am now feeling like I can tackle the last bit. I believe that weighing in at the club every week and making that a priority in my life, Wednesday is slimming night, is what has helped, coupled with completing a food diary and of course following an eating plan.
I would say to anyone who is still thinking about losing weight, do it now, don’t delay it. It’s the best decision I have ever made. It’s surprising how much you can achieve when you set your mind to it.
Group Leaders Comments
"Sarah has shocked and amazed me, she was so negative at first and I saw her change and grow in confidence since joining the club. She is an inspiration to others as she has never given up, rarely missed a class and always has thought and ideas to contribute. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank her for her commitment to the club, as club deputy, her support has been invaluable and she has also become a close friend. "