I couldn't believe it in the slightest. All the incredibly inspirational, amazing women at my group and I was one of four who had been picked as a finalist. I feel like a winner every week I go to Slimming World anyway, just with losing and keeping my weight off, so this was the cherry on top.
In group last night we all got up to say a few words and I was totally unprepared.
So, I will share now what I should have said last night; instead of mumbling and bumbling my way through it.
I joined Slimming World in November 2015 after putting it off for months. My weight had slowly been creeping up and up throughout the year (pretty much since Tom and I moved in together) and I was getting more and more self-conscious.
Confidence is never something I have really had an issue with, but it was well and truly rocked by my ever-expanding waistline. I didn't feel comfortable in any clothes, the ones that still fit me made me feel frumpy and unattractive, and I just didn't really like myself too much.
I tried all the quick fixes out there - cleansing teas, diet pills, wraps, shakes, lotions, potions - and the reviews are all still on this blog. While the results were great in the short-term, and gave me that instant 'loss' I so craved, they weren't sustainable. Give it a few weeks, or a couple of months, and I was right back to square one, plus a few more pounds and inches. I was utterly miserable.
I had been putting off joining Slimming World for ages but, one day, I'd finally had enough and bit the bullet. I'd written a story about Beth at work and had kept her contact details for when I plucked up the courage to join.
I emailed her and the wheels were in motion for me to go to my first group.
I remember the feeling of dread all week leading up to that first Wednesday. My stomach felt like elephants were doing somersaults throughout the day and walking into that room for the first time was one of the most daunting things I have ever done. I was like a fish out of water.
I soon realised, though, that I had picked a wonderful group to go to. Each week, I came out of my shell that little bit more and started engaging with the other members and being more like myself.
Of course, that was helped by the fact the weight was dropping off me so quickly.
I joined on November 9 and, by Christmas, was already almost a stone and a half lighter. I got to target the following March and, apart from a blip around my birthday/Christmas last year, have maintained that weight ever since.
Here are the standard 'before and after' pictures...
Slimming World has well and truly changed my life. I know it's a cliche, but it's true.
I am back to being my confident, outgoing self. I feel happy in my own skin, and happy in my clothes, once again.
It has also made me fall in love with cooking. I always liked cooking before, but now I have tried my hand at so many different recipes and cuisines, I absolutely love it. Some of the meals I make I would never have had the confidence to make before, and wouldn't have had a clue where to start.
I would have also never believed you could eat so much, and such a variety of things, and still lose weight. It's honestly one of the best things I ever did, walking through that door and taking the plunge.
So, there we have it. It's probably a good job I didn't say all that last night - we'd still be there now!
I was alongside some absolutely amazing women, I felt so humbled. Helen and Janet have each lost a staggering five and a half stone - I couldn't believe it. I remember when they both joined, I was about halfway through my weight loss. When I went back to group earlier this year, they had both lost so much weight I barely recognised them!
I hadn't seen them in about 8 months and they just looked totally different. I was blown away!
The fourth nominee, another lady called Helen, wasn't at group last night as she was really poorly. But she had sent some words in for Beth to read out (she wasn't even there and she was still more prepared than me!)
I felt so emotional listening to each of their reasons for joining Slimming World, their struggles and battles, and their weight loss journeys. It was just incredible to see the physical change and the personal change. I went home feeling so inspired and lucky to know such wonderfully, inspiring ladies.
It was also lovely to, once again, read the things that people wrote about me when nominating me. When I was nominated for Diamond Target Member of the Year, reading the nomination slips back really lifted me when I was feeling particularly down. So to read these was just lovely.
As I've said before, I don't often like to think too much about how other people see me, or what others think of me, but this is just lovely.
So, there we have it. I wasn't totally unprepared last night - believe it or not.
I did dig out the pair of trousers I wore to my first ever group back in November 2015.
I remember them being far too tight for me back then. I could only just get them fastened and they were, quite literally, almost bursting at the seams.
Last night, I put them on over the top of my gym clothes at group. The change from my before clothes was nowhere near as great as the other ladies, but gosh I can't believe I ever was the size to have filled them.
When I got home, I put them back on over my gym clothes so I could post the photos here, here you go...
Two and a half stone down and absolutely loving life! If anyone is considering joining Slimming World but is too scared, nervous or worried I would say to just take the leap of faith.
I promise you it works absolute wonders, as you can see. I still enjoy eating out, I still drink prosecco and eat cake, and still managed to lose the weight and keep it off. It isn't a diet, it's a sustainable lifestyle change. So don't be scared. Don't think a tea that makes you shit through the eye of a needle will be a better option - because I promise you, it won't!
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