A NEW YEAR AND A HAPPIER ME! – Why Slimming World is Amazing!

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The age old resolution promise to go on a diet and stick to it never even got a look in last year, as I had long since given up on the image I dreamed of – that being of myself in a size 10/12 jeans and skinny tops. I had always lived an active life prior to having my family; I danced from the age of 2 for 23 years, and on my days off would find an available aerobics class.  Later I became an active gym member and would work out 3-4 times a week to give me the stamina for singing professionally.  The last time I seriously set foot in a gym was the week I found out that I was pregnant – dreadful morning sickness, and a placenta condition prohibited me from doing any strenuous exercise throughout my pregnancy.   I gave birth to my beautiful daughter, Isabella, by caesarean section in 2007.   I hadn’t realised that recovery (being an older mum) would take much longer than I had envisaged.   That, coupled with four years’ worth of exhausting sleepless nights finally convinced me that I didn’t have the capacity or endurance left in me to stick it out at a gym or fitness class – it was enough to get through my work day, and crawl into bed (quite often at the same time as Izzy).  How could I possibly be successful in sticking to an eating plan without an accompanying rigorous exercise regime? Finally, in March of 2011, I was visiting a friend of mine who had lost around 3 stone at a Slimming World Group in her area.  I was so proud at how amazing she looked, and when she explained to me how she had done it even without exercising because of painful knee problems I just had to give it a go!!!   I found my nearest Slimming World Group in Dronfield, headed by Jayne Taylor, and I have never looked back!  I couldn’t believe how welcome I was made to feel, and the fact that Jayne keeps the ideal of the Slimming World plan very real.  I dreaded getting on the scales that first week, and was so grateful to learn that my weight and my goals are personal and confidential to me. I have never been made to feel humiliated or ashamed if I haven’t had the greatest of weeks – just positive steps and words of encouragement to help me make next week a better week. Yes it is true that diet and exercise go very well hand in hand, no-one knows that  better than me - but being active doesn’t have to mean working out in a gym or running a marathon – getting busy in the garden, or blitzing the house, or walking the dog all contribute to increasing our fitness levels and speeding up our weight loss. Plus, the Slimming World eating plan fits in so easily with cooking straight forward, tasty meals that the family can enjoy together.  I have never been hungry or felt deprived of the occasional treat, take-away, or my favourite drink. To date I have lost just under two stone thanks to Jayne and all the lovely members who go to her Thursday morning groups.  I still have a way to go to reach my personal target goal, but the best thing for me is that Slimming World has given me my self confidence back, and I now feel that I have more energy (even though we still rarely get a full night’s sleep). I now run active music and rhythm sessions for babies and toddlers and feel great in my sports gear – and for the first time in 20 years I have re-joined an adult tap class and am enjoying every minute of it!   This New Year’s Day I was so proud to look at myself in the mirror and see a much slimmer and confident body than the one that looked back at me in dismay last year.   This is a heart-felt thanks to Jayne for helping me get my life back! Elaine Hollings