A day at the seaside left me cringing, but I ended up making a vow. By Leanne Hemming, 41
As my husband James handed me a carton, I let out a sigh of happiness.
Within moments, I was tucking into my favourite Chinese meal of fried soft noodles, boiled rice, curry sauce and spring rolls.
Our boys, Hugo and Elliott, born 17 months apart, loved having a nap when we were out and about in the car, so James and I would take advantage of the moment to scoff a takeaway.
Having dinner in the car wasn’t exactly what you’d
call relaxing, but working irregular shifts in the hotel industry had played havoc with my eating habits.
Often, I’d stop off at Asda on the way to work to choose a pizza that was laden with mozzarella cheese and vegetables, for my 3pm-10pm late shift.
Although I was vegetarian, I knew I wasn’t eating a healthy diet.
I was plagued by dizzy spells and aches, and I was too heavy for my 5ft 9in frame.
We lived in Godolphin Cross, Cornwall, near the beach. But I couldn’t bear the idea of wriggling into a swimsuit. And, on days out with James and the boys, I would feel too embarrassed to join in with family games on the sand.
‘I’ll just sit here and watch you,’ I’d say.
On one occasion, we were invited to a big family gathering on the beach to celebrate a 60th birthday, but when the boys asked me to make sandcastles with them, I had to refuse.
Truth was, I couldn’t manage to manoeuvre myself enough to bend down on to the sand with them. Instead, I shook my head and just sat on a blanket, overwhelmed with shame.
Then, at the party, I got chatting to a cousin who told me she’d lost two stone at Slimming World.
I’d never attempted a diet before, but now I knew I had to give it a try. So I signed up to a Slimming World group and went to my first meeting.
As I stood on the scales, I wasn’t surprised when they hit 18st 2lb.
At the group, I learnt about the benefits of cooking from scratch and, back at home,
I set about clearing out the fridge and kitchen cupboards of jars and sauces, chocolate yogurts and full-fat cheese.
Then I filled the fridge with healthy fruit and vegetables.
I started cooking Mediterranean-style pasta dishes, Quorn roasts as well as chickpea curries, and I really enjoyed them. I also found that I loved Linda McCartney’s red onion and rosemary sausages.
In my first week, I lost seven pounds — and by the end of the first month, I had lost a stone.
I discovered tofu and ditched fizzy drinks and alcohol, and by the time I had lost three stone, both the dizziness and aches had disappeared, which felt like such a relief.
I started going on long walks and joined the gym and, every six weeks, I lost another stone until I hit
10st 2lb.
I had lost eight stone in total and was able to slip into a size eight.
I was thrilled!
I’ve been crowned Slimming World’s Miss Slinky 2024, but more importantly, I’m the fun mum I’ve always wanted to be.
There’s no more watching from the sidelines while everybody else has fun.
Now, if there’s a party, I’m the first one up!
Height 5ft 9in
Before 18st 2lb
Size 24
After 10st 2lb
Size 8
Total loss 8 stone
Diet before
Breakfast: four slices of thick white toast, spread with butter
Lunch: cheese and onion sandwich on thick white bread, crisps
Dinner: Chinese takeaway
or pizza
Snacks: crisps, crumpets spread with butter
Diet now
Breakfast: granola, fat-free yogurt and banana
Lunch: home-made pasta salad, Slimming World Hifi bar
Dinner: chickpea curry
Snacks: fat-free yogurt,
fresh fruit