A woman has defied lockdown to shed six dresses to get into shape.
Amber Lewis managed to get to grips with her eating habits during the pandemic and has lost an incredible five stone.
The 26-year-old, from Port Talbot, has battled with the bulge for a few years as she would raid the fridge for midnight snacks.
She struggled so badly with her weight she would suffer breathlessness when she walked.
Amber, who has worked from home for the Senedd since last March, said: “When the first lockdown happened, I made a choice – I could sit at home working behind my desk eating myself silly and pretending I hadn’t just demolished a pack of custard creams with my tea, or I could use the time and for once in my life do something for me.
“It gave me more time to focus on myself and time to think. I had time to prep my food and think about what I was eating.
“I realised I was never going to get this time back and I was determined to come out of lockdown lighter than I went into it and I did – since joining Slimming World I’ve lost nearly 5st.”
Back in January of last year she tipped the scales at 15st 3lbs but now she weighs 10st 5lbs.
She added: “Living on my own, I would get up in the middle of the night and raid the cupboards for mini midnight feasts of bowls of cereal, cookies and lots of bread.
“There was only the dog to see what I was doing, and he wasn’t going to say anything!
“My BMI was in the obese range and my weight had a big impact on my asthma, which I’ve had since birth.
“If I ever tried to go for a long walk, I would have to stop numerous times to get my breath back.”
She revealed she had a health scare at Christmas after testing positive for coronavirus.
Amber said: “I tested positive for Covid just before Christmas.
“I feel super lucky that I was able to recover and bounce back - I know that losing weight and being healthier stood me in good stead.”
She would tuck into takeaways and pizzas three times a week but now she preps and cooks her own food.
Amber has also gone on a fitness drive since lockdown and has helped to raise cash for charity through her new regime.
She said: “Food tastes so much better now too.
“Sweet potato curry with rice and a side of broccoli is my favourite recipe.
“I’ve always been interested in keeping fit and although I started gradually with a hike or a walk around the local park, I now train six days a week and I’m a keen runner.
“Everyone focuses on how you look when you lose weight but for me the biggest difference is how I feel.”
LOCAL ISSUES
She added: “I’m not self-conscious anymore and I’m more likely to say yes to things rather than no.
“I couldn’t walk that far before I lost weight and yet this month, I’ve set myself a fitness challenge to run 155 miles in 50 days to raise money for Heart Wales.
“I’ve dropped six dress sizes from a size 22 to a size 10 and love that I can buy clothes online now and they fit!
“My BMI is back in the ‘green zone’ and I am classed as ‘healthy’ for my height and weight.”
