£6 item from Vinted helps woman shed two stone

Angela Schofield, a 54-year-old grandmother, has managed to lose over two stone using a £6 item from Vinted.

The A&E receptionist, who had struggled with her weight for years, decided to take a different approach to her weight loss journey in July 2023.

Instead of calorie counting or following strict diets, Angela purchased a weighted hula hoop and began to see the pounds drop off. She said: "I don't do any calorie counting because I couldn't afford it with the cost of living.

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"I thought, I'll do this without, and managed to get myself a weighted hula hoop. With that, I didn't need to join a gym and could do it no matter what the weather. I spend five to 10 minutes a day doing that. I also try to walk a bit more."

When she first joined the slimming group Beeweighed, Angela weighed 17st 10lbs and wore size 24 clothes. Angela admits that working night shifts, mindlessly eating and frequent takeaways led to her ballooning weight, reports the Manchester Evening News.

Discussing her fitness journey, she said: "(The fitness drive) got me thinking about whether I really wanted (food) or whether I was just having it because it was there".

She now drinks water first if she feels a food craving, she added: "Now I'll go and have some water first and go back half an hour later to see if I still want it."

Reducing alcohol has markedly improved her weight loss results. She said: "I still have alcohol, I will hold my hands up. I love my white wine. I could easily go through a bottle in an evening, have a glass with my tea. Now I don't bother unless I go out. I also try and be more organised planning meals.

"It's just things like that which have slightly changed. It hasn't been easy, it has been hard. Old habits and routines are hard to break."

Although Angela, from Ashton-under-Lyne, hopes to reach the 14 stone mark, she is greatly pleased with her progress so far.

"[My weight] affected my mood. I didn't want to go out. I was so low every time I looked in the mirror. I didn't like what I saw and my clothing was getting bigger and bigger then you find yourself hiding in the clothing.

"I feel amazing now. It's the simple things like not struggling to put a pair of socks on or painting my toenails. I was so ecstatic when I could do it myself.

"I've reached my target weight but I wanted to do it in small stages. I want to get to the 14 stone range by April 20 I've got Ladies Day and a lovely red dress I'd like to get a bit looser."

Lynda Leadbetter, owner of Greater Manchester and Cheshire slimming group Beeweighed, which also offers national Zoom sessions, said: "Angela is absolutely crushing her weight loss goals and thoroughly enjoying the meetings led by our fantastic leader, Mel."

"Mel expressed how Angela plays a significant role in the group and she couldn't be prouder of her achievements."

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