A Rutherglen woman who shed 5st 8lbs and dropped six dress sizes is celebrating becoming a massive loser.
Alison Graham, who is down from 17st 2.5lbs to her target weight of 11st 8lbs, has discarded her size 22/24 wardrobe in favour of size 10/12 clothes.
Her transformation has been so dramatic that many people find her unrecognisable.
Alison said: “There’s absolutely nothing wrong with being a loser when it feels this good!
“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 greatest – I’m happier, healthier and much more confident now.” Alison’s weight impacted so many aspects of her life, from struggling to find nice clothes to being unable to complete simple everyday tasks without feeling tired and out of breath.
The weight was also putting a huge strain on her health, with high blood pressure and a hip problems, resulting in her needing hip surgery.
After receiving a leaflet through her door, Alison decided to join her local Slimming World group.
“Walking through those doors was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done,” admits Alison. “I was embarrassed and scared I might be the biggest person there.
“I needn’t have worried. Everyone there was so friendly, especially my consultant Emma Johnston, and I was so relieved when I found out my weight was confidential – 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 don’t think I could have done it without their support each week.” Alison followed the Food Optimising eating plan and swapped buying takeaways for making her own curries.
She’s also more active, attends zumba classes and is no longer breathless when walking a distance.
Alison was also able to have her much-needed hip replacement as a result of her weight loss.
Emma, who runs the group at The Beechwood in Kings Park, on Thursdays at 3.30pm, 5.30pm and 7.30pm, said: “The changes we’ve seen in Alison are incredible. I hope her success will inspire other people in Rutherglen/Kings Park who’d like to lose weight by forming new lifestyle habits and become happier and healthier to take action.”
Emma also runs the Rutherglen group which meets every Friday at 9.30am in Rutherglen Old Parish.
To join call Emma on 07956054016 or pop along.
