Scots gran sheds over 5 stone in a year so she can see grandkids grow up

After her mum passed away in Covid, grief-stricken Sheila's weight soared once again, this time up to nearly 17 stone - a number she says was her 'tipping point'.

A gran has expressed her joy after losing more than five stone in just one year so that she can live to see her grandkids grow up. Sheila Hogan, who lives in Edinburgh, has seen her weight fluctuate between 11 and 17 stone several times over the last four decades.

In August 2023, Sheila suffered a major health scare when a doctor informed her that she was pre-diabetic and had high cholesterol. At size 22, the 60-year-old could barely climb the stairs, and suffered from digestive problems but it was a nasty fall, with a subsequent X-ray showing she had arthritis in her knee that was a real wake-up call.

After her mum passed away, grief-stricken Sheila's weight soared once again, this time up to nearly 17 stone - a number she says was her 'tipping point'.

Speaking to the Mirror, Sheila, who moved to Scotland in her 30s, explained: "Lockdown was actually extremely good for me in terms of my weight. I'm a very social person, I've got lots of friends and I do lots of things.

"Being locked down - and feeling out of control - meant I controlled what I ate, and I lost it again.‌ But it all went back on again when the restrictions were lifted and we could go out again.

"That 17-stone point was my tipping point. That's the boundary in my head. That's when I feel as though it's affecting my health; I couldn't walk or breathe."

After a grim health scare following the fall, Sheila knew she had to break the cycle. She said: "When the doctor said I was pre-diabetic, I thought 'I need to sort this out', and for the rest of my life, not just for a while.

"I knew to change it would be with real food, not special packs and protein shakes. There isn't a quick fix to this, and I didn't care if all I lost was a pound a day. I thought I wouldn't be alive to see my grandkids for very long if I didn't sort this out."

The 60-year-old, who has tried 'every diet' over the years and was losing hope, did some research online and discovered Second Nature - an NHS-backed healthy eating plan that helps patients 'rewire' eating habits through behavioural science.

It also offers medication-assisted programmes such as Mounjaro, or Tirzepatide - which treats type-2 diabetes and weight loss - and Wegovy, or Semaglutide.

She said: "I'd seen Oprah Winfrey slim [down] over the years, and she said she'd taken semaglutide and it was the best thing that she'd done.

"I wouldn't just put any drug into my body but I felt confident with the NHS support for Second Nature, in terms of their programmes and all the other research I'd done on the drug itself.

‌"So I applied, and I started injecting a low dose every four weeks from August 2023. I didn't have any side-effects and I noticed a positive difference within just three days. I no longer had any appetite; I just didn't feel hungry."

S‌he continued: "By January, I'd lost more than three stone. I turned 60 and I joined a gym. I felt great. It's helped me to learn not to eat too much, as otherwise I'll feel really unwell. Before, even if I'd eaten enough, I would force a pudding in.

"And my digestive problems, although not completely stopped, are now down to 10 per cent. It feels like a miracle that the GLP-1 hormone in the semaglutide has slowed down my digestive system and allowed it to heal, whereas previously I was in a vicious circle."

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Now 11-and-a-half stone and full of energy, Sheila has slimmed down to a size 12 and has completely overhauled her eating habits. Instead of bacon rolls for breakfast, Sheila now enjoys Weetabix with yoghurt and fruit and makes sure to rustle up protein-and-vegetable-based meals in the evening.

And the changes have had a very positive impact on her overall health. She added: "The doctor has told me I am no longer prediabetic, my cholesterol levels are back to normal. I can eat carbohydrates in moderation, and my arthritis isn't as painful. This has completely changed my life.

"I feel fitter than ever, and have more energy. What's more, I'm going to be around for many more years to see my grandkids grow up, and that to me, makes it all completely worthwhile."

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