Weight loss of nearly four stone leads to woman starting up her own slimming group

A woman who lost nearly four stone in weight in just a few months is set to start off her own slimming group.

Jill Ainge, (pictured above) from Bury St Edmunds, joined a Slimming World session in June this year after her weight reached 14 stone 13.5lbs.

And now she has lost a life-changing 3 stone 12.5lbs and has just trained as a consultant and launches her very own group on the Moreton Hall estate this month.

After being fed up with the weight she had gained Jill was feeling unfit and was struggling to climb the stairs and get on the floor to play with her toddler.

The 46-year-old said: “I had put so many mindset barriers up as to why I couldn’t lose weight, my main one being that I was breastfeeding and I was under the illusion that I would magically lose weight without making any changes. I made my mind up to join after my birthday and walked through the door on Saturday, June 11, 2023.”

Slimming World is the only national slimming organisation which supports expectant mums through every stage of their pregnancy, from pre conception to postnatal. It aims not to encourage weight loss or dieting during pregnancy but to support women in eating a healthy diet and prevent excess weight gain.

Jill added: “At my heaviest I was a size 18, my knees hurt and I had no confidence at all. I knew that I needed to make changes and am so pleased that I joined group. I know feel so confident, I can move more and enjoying being active and playing with my 18-month-old son.”

She wanted to lose weight in a sustainable way, eating everyday foods and wanted the support of the group to help her with her mindset.

“I had to make changes to my eating habits. I was a big snacker, I would often tear open a grab size bag of chips and munch through them mindlessly watching TV.

“My breakfast was always a larger bowl of granola, always topped with chocolate chips, marshmallows and nuts. We would often indulge in a takeaway and use food that was processed, quick and convenient.

“As a vegetarian the changes I have made with Slimming World have been easy. I eat lots of eggs, pulses, fruits and vegtables. I love cooking and trying many of the Slimming World recipes that I’ve learnt about in group and that are avaliable as part of the online support package,” she said.

“My favorite meals are a roast, meatballs and pasta and a chill ramen. It makes me so happy that I can still enjoy and tuck into potatoes and pasta.”

Despite loving meeting new people she was nervous to join her group.

“Even though I had been a member before, I was worried. On the first step through the door I was greeted with nothing but warmth and friendship. After finding a new inner confidence and losing weight with Slimming World, It’s given me the confidence to train as a consultant and I am excited for my next chapter at Slimming World.”

Jill launces her group on Thursday, December 28, at the Moreton Hall Community centre, with sessions at 9.30am, 5.30pm and 7pm  Call or text 07803 332097 to find out more information.