'Slimming World saved my life' says Fenland woman Carol Hawkins

After losing almost two stone with Slimming World, Sally Shipley realised one of her life long dreams of helping others by becoming a consultant for the weight loss organisation.

Now she has opened a brand new group on Saturday (1) at the Queen Mary Centre in Wisbech.

Sally is excited by the opportunity the new group offers and hopes to build on her successes with her previous groups.

Since becoming a consultant in 2016 Sally has helped 153 members to reach their personal achievement target and a further 192 members to lose more than 10 per cent of their starting weight.

Here are the stories of just a couple of the members she has helped.

Carol Hawkins said: "I nursed my Dad to end of life in 2009 and shortly afterwards, developed stress related high blood pressure. My GP told me straight to 'diet or die' and I went into an angry denial. I was 47 years old. I was always going to deal with it. I resisted medication, until New Year’s Day 2010 when I woke suddenly and announced, from nowhere, I was going to join Slimming World…… I have never been sure how I reached that conclusion.

"But I followed the promise through. I joined just 12 days later weighing 21 stones 5.5 pounds. I read the plan, and read and read. I tested it out and ate until I was so full I couldn’t eat another thing. Certain I hadn’t lost weight, I stepped on the scales after a week to learn I was 5.5lbs lighter and I was hooked. 21 months later, I was 10 stones lighter. Oh there had been gains and ‘stay the same weeks’ but it had gone and it wasn’t coming back.

"Slimming World really did save my life."

Sarah Hawkins (Carol's daughter) said: “All of my life I have been plump and have had the challenge of mobility issues and a balance disorder as well. Nothing ever really worked for me long term. Then my best friend Anna, asked me to be Bridesmaid. I was delighted but terrified. I was worried I was going to show her up.

"Mum had been a Slimming World member for several years and I watched her lose all her weight – could it help me too? I had just over two years to do this….. I went along for a look and Mum convinced me to stay on and the pounds literally started to melt away. Within 20 months I had lost over four stones, my balance, although it was never going to improve notably, seemed more manageable and I had a whole new group of friends too, all supporting me in achieving my dream. I was bridesmaid last month (August) and I didn’t show anyone up.”

For more details about the new group which meets at 9.30am on Saturdays contact Sally on 07919 410258.