A slimmer from Belfast, who lost 3st to improve their health and fitness, is set to do something she would never have dreamed of before losing weight – take part in their 3rd Belfast Marathon Relay on Sunday 5th May 2019. Nancy quotes ‘Before I lost my weight with Slimming World I couldn’t even have run a bath’.

Nancy decided to lose weight for good in January 2014, after seeing an unflattering photograph of herself on holidays. Shortly after, Nancy joined the Castlereagh Slimming World group run at that time by Consultant Esther. She began following Slimming World’s Food Optimising healthy eating plan and discovered a love of cooking, swapping her unhealthy diet for cooking healthy, wholesome meals from scratch. She says: “I was nervous before joining Slimming World but I soon realised I needn’t have been. I got a fantastic warm welcome from the group, and when my Consultant, explained the eating plan, I couldn’t quite believe it! Losing weight without going hungry, while still enjoying all my favourite meals, just by making changes to the way I prepared and cooked them, has been amazing. I’ve never eaten so well in my life! Slimming World has changed my life for the better”

As the weight came off, Nancy gained the confidence to start getting more active. After losing her first stone she joined ‘Jog Belfast’ at Ormeau and built up her fitness levels gradually. With the support of the other members of her group, she started following Slimming World’s Body Magic activity programme, which helps slimmers to take small steps towards a more active lifestyle based around things they enjoy. Nancy continued running and progressed into Parkruns and joined Ormeau Runners running group.

Nancy continues: “There’s no way I’d have lost 3st or be running without the support of my Slimming World group and my Consultant. My group inspired me to take my first steps to getting more active and have been there to congratulate me whenever I reach a new weight loss or personal best. They keep me on-track and inspire me with their achievements on their own journeys too!”

Nancy has now completed over 150 Parkruns, 25 10k’s, numerous 5k races and last year at age 61 she ran the Madrid ½ Marathon in April in an amazing time of 2hrs and 55minutes. Nancy completed the Belfast ½ Marathon last year (2018) and this year will take part in the Belfast Marathon relay race. She is proud of her timings and loves every minute of it. “I can’t believe how far I’ve come in the past few years and all the incredible changes I’ve made. I’m happier and healthier and, by making all these healthier changes I’ve reduced my chances of developing a range of health problems. I’ve really found a love for running and I would strongly encourage anyone to take up walking or running with the help and support of their local Slimming World group. I have never missed my weekly Slimming World group in almost 5 years and staying to group each and every week for support has been the key to my success. “I can’t wait for the atmosphere on race day this year and to cross that finish line, if I can do it, anyone can do it”. 

Slimming World Consultant Adrian who now runs 5 weekly group sessions says: “Nancy is a real inspiration to us all and we are so proud of her. When she first came through the door she just wanted to lose weight – we had no idea what a huge transformation she was about to begin and certainly no idea that she would one day be running all these races, it’s incredible! She proves that with a little determination and the right kind of support, anyone’s weight loss and activity dreams can be achieved. Nancy has been at Target for almost 5 Years and is an active member of the group and part of our very special social team who help run the group. We welcome anyone looking to lose weight here at Slimming World, whatever their health and weight-loss goals might be.”