Fab four shed the llbs to win the crowns at March-based Slimming World groups

Four slimmers from a March-based slimming group have each been crowned ‘Woman of the Year’ following their weight loss success.

All are members of Nik’s Slimming World Group and each have spoken of their weight loss journeys in a bid to inspire others.

The women have each been named top slimmers and took home one of the daily certificates.

Karen Lee, the 10.30am Saturday morning group’s winner, says thanks to Nik she is now an “avid park run fan” having changed her lifestyle.

She said: “In a cliché way, turning 40 made me want to make a lasting change in my life.

“Joining in January 2019, I have reached the halfway point of my Personal Achievement Target weight in just seven months with five stone gone. After countless years of wanting to be a runner, I have made great strides (pun intended) to reaching my goal. I have just completed Couch to 5K and I can now run consistently for 30 minutes and am an avid park run fan.”

While Sharon Wilding was winner of the 8.30am Saturday morning group, she says she is well on the way to reaching her personal target.

She said: “I started my journey in June last year, I had just lost my dad in April and the stress of the past years of caring for him had started to take its toll on my health. It was easy to grab a takeaway after numerous late nights of travelling back and force to see him.

“I walked into Nik’s Slimming World group in 2018 a nervous wreck, but Nik soon put me at ease, explaining how everything works. We all have our own individual journeys whether we have a few pounds to lose or a few stones but we all support each other along the way.”

Nik runs four sessions in March, two on Thursday evenings at 5.30pm and 7.30pm and two on Saturday mornings at 8.30am and 10.30am.

Lynn Pearl was the top slimmer in the 5.30pm Thursday group, she joined in October last year and was the heaviest she had ever been since becoming a mum in 1992.

She said: “Nik took his time explaining the plan and my husband Gideon and myself took our packs away to study we were impressed with how easy it was.

“Three stone lost for me and four stone for Gideon. A whole person lost between us.”

Lynn said winning the group’s Woman of the Year thanks to the votes of fellow member was a “great honour”.

She added: “Would I recommend it? Yes! Whole heartedly! With 11 inches off my waistline I can now buy clothes that fit well for a fraction of the price.”

Thursday evening group winner, Jackie Drawbridge, said: “I have been a member of Nik’s Slimming Word Group since February and absolutely love it. Loosing over 10 per cent of my start weight and making steps towards my target.

“The support you get from the group is fantastic, if you’ve not had such a good week, they are all there to support you, and if you have had a good week they are there to cheer you on.

“Some people who go only have small amounts to loose, others have more, but everyone is going through the same journey together.”