'I weighed 22 stone and was miserable - my weight loss saved me,' says Derby mum

A Derby mum has told how she went from being "miserable" and "unable to exercise" to being happy and healthy - now inspiring others by leading her own weight loss group. Samantha Holmes from Littleover began her weight loss journey in 2017 and weighed nearly 22 stone, admitting she had let things "get out of control" and needed to make a change.

Samantha and her husband, Andrew, adopted twins in May 2016 and she gradually put on weight, as you'd expect, in that time. Her little boy had cerebral palsy and she promised she would do anything she could to be the best mum she could be to her children - but not long after she realised she was breaking this promise.

The 38-year-old said: "In Christmas 2016, there were no pictures of me with my children, so I needed to make a change. My sister had also asked me to be a bridesmaid and I didn't want to be wearing a size-24 dress. I was tired all the time, I had no energy and I was often falling victim to easy food like takeaways and McDonald's.

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"My weight stopped me from doing a lot. I would be able to use it as an excuse to not go out, to not exercise, to not go on rides with my niece and nephew - I would always seem really confident, but under what was there, I really wasn't at all." Samantha walked into her local Slimming World group with hopes of making a change.

She explained: "I do not deprive myself of anything, as there is always a way to make sure I can change it to be within my food optimising.

"I have never been an exercise person, but with every pound I lost, I wanted to do a bit more, I wanted to be able to do other things. Since losing weight I have loved going on walks with my family, I love being active and have even done a zip line, as now I was able to, I wanted to prove I could do it.

"I always loved vegetables, fruit and salad but never included them. I love a roast dinner, you can't beat roast potatoes. When I am out now, I will look at the menu and I will make sure I am using my knowledge of food optimising to be able to eat and enjoy. I make sure I check ahead, but I always try and remember I am out with the people I love, and that's the most important thing."

Samantha cited the support from her family and friends throughout her journey as a major factor in her success. Her successes at the Melbourne Slimming World group have led her to becoming a consultant for her own group, inspiring others with her success story. "I started at a group in Mickleover, but will attend groups around Derby now due to my job," Samantha added.

"I love being able to visit different groups so that I get the experience of seeing other successful members and having ideas shared with me. We are now looking to recruit new consultants to be able to support other slimmers like myself in their weight loss dream." Anyone who would like to join Slimming World to kickstart their own weight loss journey can do so by contacting Samantha on 07814876717.

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