A super slimmer is proving to be a winner at the losing game after shedding 4 Stone and 13lbs and being named Moreton Hall’s Slimming World ‘Greatest Loser’ 2016.
Laura Goodwin won the title, which is awarded to the member of the Moreton Hall Saturday Slimming World group who has lost the most weight, and says her weight loss has changed her life: “I feel like a new woman since losing weight – in fact, I look so different that people who I haven’t seen for a while often can’t believe I’m the same person. For me though it’s the change on the inside that’s been the biggest – I’m happier, healthier and much more confident now.”
The proud 28-year-old weighed 15 Stone and 8 lbs when she joined the Moreton Hall group, which is run by Kelly Cooper in January 2015 and has since dropped to 10 stone 9lbs.. Laura says: “Before I lost the weight I hid behind a big bubbly personality. I’d pretend it didn’t bother me that I was bigger than most other people, but that was far from the truth. I hated shopping for clothes and found playing with my daughter would leave me tired and out of breath.”
Laura’s weight was also putting a huge strain on her health People who are severely overweight, with a BMI* above 30, are more likely to suffer from health problems like coronary heart disease, arthritis, diabetes and cancer, and obesity is linked to a reduction in life expectancy of between seven and nine years. In Bury St Edmunds 65% per cent of people are so severely overweight that their health is already at risk.
After seeing a poster, Laura decided to join her local Slimming World group at Moreton Hall Community Centre,. She says: “Walking through those doors was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, I was embarrassed about my size and scared that I might be the biggest person there. I needn’t have worried though, everyone there was so friendly especially my Consultant Kelly and I was so relieved when I found out that my weight was confidential between me and her – I’d had visions of having to tell everyone how much I weighed!
“Since then I’ve made so many friends at the group and I honestly don’t think I could have done it without their support each week. They helped me with recipes and tips and if I was ever struggling they were always there to remind me why I’d wanted to lose weight in the first place and how far I’d come since first stepping through the doors.”
Laura followed the club’s Food Optimising eating plan and swapped takeaways and fast food for cooked breakfasts, currys, burgers and chips. Laura says: “People think slimming means going hungry, eating nothing but salad or obsessively counting every calorie you eat, but it’s not like that at all at Slimming World. I love food and it’s never once felt like I was on ‘a diet’ – in fact, people are always surprised at how much food I have on my plate and can’t believe I’m losing weight eating so much delicious food and without ever feeling hungry.
“I still enjoy all my favourite meals like burgers and chips and roast dinners but I’ve learned how to make small changes like using lean meat or cooking with low calorie spray instead of oil or butter. It fits in really well with the rest of my family and we can all eat the same meals.”
Now Laura’s lost a total of 4st 13lbs and gone from dress size 18 to dress size 12 She’s also more active nowadays and regularly attends the gym and enjoys the great outdoors with her daughter.
Kelly who runs the Moreton Hall Slimming World groups says: “The changes we’ve seen in Laura are incredible. I hope her success will inspire other people in Bury St Edmunds who’d like to lose weight by forming new lifestyle habits and become happier and healthier to take action. There’s a warm welcome waiting at Slimming World and, just think, if you start today you could feel like a completely new person just like Laura.”
The Moreton Hall group meets every Thursday at 9.30am, 11.30am, 5.30pm & 7.30pm at the Community Centre and Every Saturday at 8.30am & 10.30am at The Youth Centre. To join call Kelly on 07792 603204 or pop along.
