AS RESIDENTS prepare to get fit and healthier in the new year, a Droitwich slimmer who shed more than six stone in ten months last year is hoping to inspire others to lose the pounds.
After plucking up the courage to join her local Slimming World in January, Heidi Kirby went from 21 stone to 14.8 stone, dropping five dress sizes and one shoe size in the process.
Being overweight since childhood and using food as a ‘quick-fix’ for her personal challenges, the 33-year-old felt it was time to change, for the sake of her health and family.
Heidi was then asked to be a bridesmaid to her best friend’s wedding and decided to make some changes ready for the big day.
She said: “ I had never really tried anything other than the odd week of ‘crash dieting,’ which would make me feel hungry and wobbly and I couldn’t sustain it.
“I would soon cave in and then binge and put on even more weight than I’d lost.
“I was in a destructive cycle, felt out of control and very low.”
After hearing good things from friends and colleagues, the mum-of-two joined a weekly group at Witton School.
She said: “As I walked through the doors to Peggy Sowerby’s group, I felt nauseous and almost headed back out of the door but I was greeted with such a warm welcome, smiling faces and a cup of tea.
“Peggy went through the plan with me, explaining the generous, unlimited free food I could eat without ever going hungry and that the whole family could also enjoy, as I listened I thought this was something I could stick to.”
Heidi Returned the following week, eight pounds lighter, she said: “It felt incredible and gave me such a boost to keep going.
“Week after week the weight would come off and with every loss I felt more and more in control.”
In October, just ten months after joining, Heidi received her six stone award.
Her success allowed her to meet her own personal target of being bridesmaid at her friend’s wedding.
Heidi added: “I thought I would always be overweight, accepting that there are lots of activities that I’d never be able to do, accepting that I could rarely shop in the high street, accepting that I would feel the way I did for the rest of my life but now I know I don’t have to accept any of these things.
“I feel like my life is starting again and I can’t describe how good that feels. I can run around after my children and I’m so incredibly happy.”
For more information on the group call Peggy on 07716 251507.
