Erica has no need to hide in the shade this summer after losing seven stones

Local mum Erica admits that she had been overweight since she was a teenager but is delighted that she has dropped six dress sizes since she joined Slimming World.

“Following the Food Optimising plan means that you never feel hungry and the range of food you can eat is fantastic,” she explained. “When I first joined, my friends and family didn’t think I would stick at it. Now they are so proud of me. I felt a bit scared about getting weighed on the first night but I needn’t have worried - now I just love going, the group is like a big family.”

Ingrid Freeburn, consultant at the Ballymacash Group, said: “Erica is a very valued member of the group and she is such a marvellous inspiration to everyone – she has totally changed her eating habits and is much more active than before. I’m thrilled that she has done so well - it’s lovely to watch her growing in confidence as she drops dress sizes.”

Ingrid said that if anyone would like to lose weight before their holiday, now’s the perfect time to do so. Slimming World is holding a six week ‘Slimmer Summerthon’ after a survey found that more than half of us don’t look forward to our summer holidays as much as we could because we’re self-conscious and worried about wearing a swimming costume in public or getting into the pool in front of others.

Statistics show that over half of us will try to lose weight for our summer holiday this year but somehow the motivation flags and we end up disappointedly packing the same cover-up clothes as last year. Slimmers who join the campaign are being encouraged to get sponsored to lose weight and, for the duration of the six weeks, Slimming World will donate £1 for every 1lb group members lose as part of the slimathon – with all funds going to the NSPCC.

At the Ballymacash Group, Ingrid is inviting slimmers to bring friends and family along and get together to kick start their weight loss in time for sunnier weather. “We’re encouraging people to get sponsored because we know that commitment and motivation are super-boosted once you go public with your intentions,” she said.

“We’re asking members to tell us where they’d like to be in six weeks’ time and, whether that’s half a stone lighter or a lot more confident, we’ll be working together as a group to give them all the support they need to get there. It’s possible to lose a stone or more over six weeks but however much weight you have to lose, you can make a big difference in that time by making long-lasting changes that will transform your body, your health and your whole outlook.

“So this summer we won’t need to get to the beach feeling like we need to hide in the shade – we’ll have all the confidence and motivation we need to get summer off to a great start.”

The Ballymacash Slimming World group meets every Wednesday at 5.30pm and 7.30pm at Ballymacash Primary School, Brokerstown Road. Ingrid is also opening a new morning group on Wednesday 18 April at 9.30am at St Mark’s Parish Church, Ballymacash Road. For more information, she can be contacted at 07746 554360.

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