A young woman who lost nearly half her body weight is set to take on her biggest challenge yet – the London Marathon.
Dubliner Lynne McGrail shed 6st 7.5lbs after her doctor flagged up concerns over her high blood pressure in 2014.
Another push to slim down came over her own fears a plane seatbelt wouldn’t fit around her when she went on holiday.
The 29-year-old will take on the epic 26.2-mile London Marathon next month along with other Slimming World members.
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Lynne, from Kilmacud, said: “I can’t believe I’m running the marathon. I joined weighing 15st 6lbs and never dreamed I’d lose nearly half my body weight or I’d call myself a runner.
“I also never dreamed I’d wake up every day and inspire others to be the best versions of themselves they can and want to be.
“I joined Slimming World in August 2014, fast forward four-and-a-half years and so much has changed. I went on to lose 6st 7.5lbs in less than two years, reaching my target weight and becoming a consultant.
“I went from a girl who wanted to blend in to someone living and loving life.
“I remember how different I felt going away in summer 2015 compared to the year before.
“I was flying to Portugal to meet my family for a holiday and the cherry on the cake was getting on that plane and not having to worry if the seatbelt was roomy.
“That summer I also fell in love with running. On that same family holiday my cousin, an avid runner, ran along the beach every day with her husband.
“I decided to join them and realised how unfit I was. I couldn’t keep up with them but I took it at my own pace.
“By the end of the holiday I was keeping up and actually really enjoying it. I soon started running around three miles every Saturday.
“I dragged my boyfriend along and encouraged other Slimming World members to join me too.
“We became a little crew and it’s still my favourite way to kick-off a weekend. I love the feeling of achievement I get from improving mile by mile.”
And she said crossing the line at the London Marathon will be a dream come true.
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Lynne added: “In 2014 [pre-Slimming World] I had struggled to complete the Women’s 10km Mini Marathon, but in 2017 I took part again, ran the entire distance and was so proud of myself.
“The atmosphere was electric and all I wanted to do from then was run a marathon.
“Now I can’t wait to achieve my dream of running the London Marathon.”
Lynne will be joining 10 others, who have lost more than 86 stone between them, to run the marathon and raise money for Cancer Research UK and the Irish Cancer Society.
They aim to increase awareness of how keeping a healthy weight can reduce the risk of developing some types of the disease.
