A Scots gran who transformed her health by losing three-and-a-half stone says healthier eating habits ‘have changed her life’.
Kirsty Lowe joined her local Slimming World group in East Kilbride in October 2023 after looking at a picture of herself and not recognising the person looking back at her.
After feeling like she would always be overweight and fearing for her health, Kirsty has gone on to achieve her dream target weight, losing three-and-a-half stone in November, and is no longer on medication for high blood pressure.
Kirsty told Lanarkshire Live: “The final straw for me joining Slimming World was my health. I had really high blood pressure. It was through the roof and I was on a high dose of blood pressure medication to manage this. I had no energy or motivation to do any form of exercise and it was getting me down.”
After walking through the doors of the Greenhills group on her first night, Kirsty immediately felt welcomed and supported.
Kirsty added: “After my first night in group, I had 100 per cent belief that I could lose weight with the food optimising plan backed by the support of my consultant and fellow slimmers. I felt so motivated.
“My head was in the right place and my mindset was already changing after my first night. I felt back in control, back on track and totally focussed. I felt all I needed was the right mind set and the support of my consultant and Slimming World friends.”
The food optimising plan encourages members to eat lots of tasty, filling foods like pasta, rice, potatoes and lean meat and fish, so they are never hungry and no foods are banned so there’s no deprivation.
Kirsty went on: “I love food optimising! It’s become part of every day life for me. Since joining Slimming World my days are filled with healthy nutritious meals that fill me up and give me plenty energy.
“My favourite meal is salmon cooked in foil with all my favourite vegetables like shallots, tomatoes and mushrooms with some seasoning and of course a baked potato on the side. I am the only one following the food optimising plan in our household but I have the support 100 per cent from my family to make the changes necessary to be a happier healthier me.
“My biggest challenge to overcome was my high blood pressure. I am so proud to say that thanks to losing weight, I have went from taking a high dose of medication to now not taking any at all. I am proud of myself for walking through the door of my group where I was welcomed straight away.
“I turned 50 in September and it was always my goal to feel and look better in myself and I feel I have achieved that. The best thing that has happened is I am now happy and healthy to enjoy our new beautiful baby granddaughter Raighn.”
Slimming World isn’t just about changing what you eat. Becoming more active is important too. Slimming World’s body magic programme takes the threat out of activity by showing people, many of whom have unpleasant memories of being forced to take part in activity at school, how they can build activity into their daily routine without having to take up traditional forms of exercise like going to the gym or running.
Kirsty has gone from having no energy to now keeping herself much more active.
“I now walk as much as I can, which I love”, she said. “I really enjoy going out long hour walks and having that me time to clear my head, I have so much more energy at home and at work now.”
Emma Johnston, who runs Slimming World’s Greenhills group, said: “I am so incredibly proud of Kirsty’s hard work and determination to make the necessary changes. She has completely changed her life! Kirsty is always one of the first members to support others with some great meal ideas or an encouraging word.
“Presenting Kirsty with her target award is one of the highlights in my five-and-a-half years as consultant as I know how much it meant to hear to come off her medication and feel happier and healthier in herself. And of course enjoy her gorgeous family too!”
Emma’s Slimming World group is held at St Andrew’s Methodist Church, Cedar Drive, Greenhills every Thursday at 3.30pm, 5.30pm and 7.30pm. For more information, pop along to the group or call her on 07956 054016 for any joining offers.
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