Mum of five loses nine stone after 'final straw'

Lisa Williams had struggled with her weight since she was young

Lisa Williams says she struggled with her weight since she was a young girl but the mum-of-five found she was getting heavier as she got older. But when she fell pregnant with her fifth child, daughter Lois, the 35-year-old said she knew something had to change.

She was diagnosed with diabetes and having to inject insulin twice a day. Lisa said: “It was my last pregnancy with Lois, and a visit to the doctor resulting in me having to inject myself twice a day after being diagnosed with diabetes. I felt utterly petrified by it, I had to urgently do something about it, it was the final straw."

She said when she was making her way home from the surgery she noticed a Slimming World poster advertising the local group. She joined up and there was no stopping her. Lisa has since lost nine stone.

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She added: "Consultant Ffion, saw me walk through the doors the following week, albeit embarrassed, scared and very nervous. I was so fighting the urge to run away, but I didn’t and with no self-confidence it was the hardest thing I had ever done. I had made a promise to myself that when I joined if I hadn’t lost any weight in the first two weeks, I would resign myself to life as being a bigger person.

"But walking into the room that first night, everyone was so welcoming and with Ffion smiling and approaching me as I entered the room, I soon realised I had nothing to worry about. Ffion went through the Slimming World Food Optimising plan and I couldn’t believe how much amazing food I could eat safely with diabetes and still lose weight. It was incredible, this new way of eating enabled me to control my diabetes without worry, even supporting me with a diabetes booklet.

"Staying to group was so important to me, hearing everyone’s weight loss gave me so much inspiration and the ideas and motivation from both Ffion and the group really does help me every week. I’ve learnt that gaining weight and the urge to run away will not support my weight loss and my behaviours around food. I have had to really understand myself as a slimmer and change my mindset and habits for good.”

Ffion says taking insulin or other medication diabetes doesn’t need to be a barrier to losing weight. She said many Slimming World members with type 1 diabetes lose weight and steadily become fitter and healthier just like Lisa.

There are around five million people living with diabetes in the UK – and around 13.6 million who have an increased risk of developing diabetes. Being overweight is a strong factor.

Lisa added: “I have gone from a size 28 to 14. I’ve never felt as healthy as I do today. After spending a large majority of my life being too self conscious to do anything about my weight, losing weight has boosted my confidence and I’ve got a much brighter future ahead of me now.

“Eating healthier has also supported my five children to make better choices. They now prefer to eat fruit and vegetables, instead of crisps and sweets. I can play with them for longer and walking means I am no longer breathless. Having lost this weight I have found a passion in running and taking the kids swimming without feeling embarrassed! – it truly has been life changing for me”

Ffion added: “I’m so proud of Lisa, I’ve known her for years, and to see the changes in her is just amazing. Seeing how much more active she is with the children and being able to be a healthier fitter mum, is just incredible to watch."

To find out more about Slimming World in Caernarfon contact 07972 367032 or visit www.slimmingworld.co.uk