Café owner with 'shattered confidence' lost three stone by sticking to this one rule

A gran-of-seven who shed three stone by sticking to one rule says her transformation has helped fix her shattered confidence.

Margaret Blackmore, from Denton, piled on the pounds by snacking on crisps and bread “for fun” and never did any exercise.

The 62-year-old, who runs the Full Monty café, decided to join Greater Manchester and Cheshire slimming group Beeweighed to help slim down and manage her hip pain ahead of an operation.

By swimming three times a week and counting calories, the gran’s weight quickly began to drop off – seeing her go from 16st 9lbs to 14st 5lbs.

Join our WhatsApp Top Stories and Breaking News group by clicking this link

Margaret says the secret behind her weight loss success is avoiding bread in the week and treating herself to bacon sandwiches at the weekend.

“I started Beeweighed with my sister-in-law,” the gran told the Manchester Evening News.

“She had been going for a while and I decided to join her as I had put so much weight on I had hip problems. I thought it would help me manage that problem.

“I was eating take-outs, not exercising and ate crisps and bread for fun. I also had a sweet tooth and was going into size 18 clothes which I refused to buy. It was very uncomfortable; my confidence was shattered. I’m a size 14 now.

“I go swimming three times a week and I don’t eat bread during the week, I save it for a treat with a bacon sandwich on a Saturday and Sunday morning.

“I find it easier by counting calories rather than being told you can’t eat anything by other groups I have been to over the years.

“I made it to a three stone loss but put weight back on after my surgery. I feel more energetic and I’m not ashamed about my size anymore.

“Lynda, my leader at Beeweighed, is a phone call away and always there if you need guidance. The true way to lose weight is to believe you can do it, which I find going to class each week helps you with motivation.

“I still have setbacks working with food, but Lynda gives you confidence to keep going. I feel healthier - I’ve had a hip replacement now I’ve lost the weight and I’m looking forward to Menorca with my grandchildren in May. I want to reach my three stone mark again before I go.”

Lynda Leadbetter, owner of Beeweighed, which also runs national Zoom sessions, said: “Margaret is truly a lovely lady who has achieved remarkable success. Even while on her holidays and events, she remains steadfast in her commitment to losing weight, never allowing life's distractions to derail her focus. As a valued member of the Denton group, I couldn't be prouder of her accomplishments.”