Weight loss success for Holbeach 'super slimmer' and 'true inspiration' Julie Carter
Getting ready for a glitzy birthday party, Julie Carter picked out the special dress she had chosen to wear.
“It was December 2018 and myself and my family had been invited to a special party. The dress code was glitz and glamour,” she remembers. “That was great, unless like me you were a size 20 with no confidence.
“I eventually found a dress, but on the evening of the party it took both my children to do it up. One to hold the material together and the other to force the zip up. I was absolutely mortified.
“My daughter, Ellie-May, was due to graduate from university and I really didn't want to look so awful. The thought of embarrassing her on her special day broke my heart. Ellie-May was a member of Slimming World and she asked me if I would like to go to the club with her. It took a couple of weeks to pluck up the courage to walk through the doors, but on April 22, 2019, I finally did it.”
Julie (49), who is also mum to Jon (18), joined the Slimming World group that currently meets at Holbeach WI Hall, now run by consultant Angie Harrison.
Julie explained that everyone was so friendly and welcoming and she did not feel ‘judged’ by anybody.
“That evening I weighed in at 16 stone, 9lbs, and set my target weight of 12 stone, 9lbs,” she said.
With the help of Slimming World’s food optimising programme, she found she did not feel restricted with her choice of food.
“Being on Slimming World does not mean eating boring tasteless meals and it certainly doesn't mean going hungry. With every meal I make sure I have plenty of salad or vegetables, and if I need a snack I have fruit. I do still have the occasional bit of chocolate or packet of crisps, but I have found the thrill of fitting into smaller sizes outweighs the yearnings for chocolate etc.”
On November 25 last year, Julie, who lives in Holbeach, reached her target weight. “ I now wear size 12-14, and love shopping for clothes I had only dreamt of wearing before.”
The back pain that she had previously suffered from has eased considerably. “I have noticed I’m now not getting out of breath going upstairs. I can now walk for miles rather than yards and I can actually do up my shoelaces and breathe at the same time.”
She thanked her daughter, Ellie-May (21), for her support and said they encouraged each other with their weight loss. Her husband, Bryan, is ‘chuffed’ for her.
And to top it all off, her group chose her as their ‘Woman of the Year 2019’ and ‘Miss Slinky 2019.’
“Walking through those doors that evening in April was by far the best decision I have ever made. It has changed my life so much.
“I have lost over four stone in seven months, and found my self-confidence again. If I can do it anybody can."
Ellie-May, who has lost 2 stone and 9lbs to date, said: “Doing Slimming World with Mum made it easier in my view. It was like going with a friend, someone that can help support you and keep you on track when you're struggling.”
Group leader and Slimming World consultant, Angie, added: “When I relaunched the group in mid-September, Ellie-May and her mum were regular members, with Ellie-May achieving her target weight back in July 2019. With my help and support and the encouragement of the group, we managed to help Julie lose her last stone and a half.
“I was absolutely thrilled that on November 25, I was able to award her with Slimmer of the Week, Slimmer of the Month, her four stone and target certificates, all on the same night!
“As a target member, Julie is now able to attend the group for life, free of charge, providing she stays within three pounds either side of her target weight. She remains a true inspiration to the group and was voted Miss Slinky 2019 by the other group members.”
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