WHILST most people would be offended to be called a ‘loser’, one woman from Connah’s Quay is over the moon to be called one week in, week out.

That’s because Sarah Halley has lost a life-changing five stone since joining her local Slimming World group last January at Farfield Hall in Connah’s Quay.

Over those 12 months, Sarah has remained focused and with the support and friendship of her fellow slimmer and she has celebrated her anniversary since joining an incredible five stone lighter and says she feels fabulous as a result.

The 45-year-old, who has dropped from a size 20 to a size 12, said: “There is absolutely nothing wrong with being a loser when it feels this good! I feel like a new woman since losing weight – in fact, I look so different that people who I have not seen for a while often cannot believe I am the same person.

“For me though, it is the change on the inside that has been the greatest. I am happier, healthier and much more confident now.”

Sarah added that before losing weight, she hated having her photo taken and said that “whenever I saw pictures of myself, I knew that my smile was not real.”

She said her weight impacted on so many aspects of day-to-day life, from struggling to fit into clothes that she liked to not being able to do simple tasks without feeling tired and out of breath.

After seeing a poster in one of the local shop windows, and also by being recommended by a friend, Sarah decided to do something about her weight and joined her local Slimming World group.

Recalling her first day, she said: “Walking through those doors was one of the hardest things I have ever done, I was embarrassed about my size. Everyone there was so friendly though, especially my consultant Bonnie, and I was so relieved when I found out that my weight was confidential between me and her – I had had visions of having to tell everyone how much I weighed!

“Since then, I have made so many friends at the group and I honestly do not think I could have done it without their support each week.”

Sarah explained that the group sessions helped provide her with handy recipes and tips to achieve her goals, adding: “If I was ever struggling they were always there to remind me why I had wanted to lose weight in the first place and how far I had come since first stepping through the doors.”

Sarah went on to say: “I still enjoy all my favourite meals - like burgers, chips and roast dinners - but I have discovered how to make small changes like using lean meat or cooking with low calorie spray instead of oil or butter.

“I know that I have not ‘gone on a diet’, this is a change that I have made for life and have the tools I need to keep up forever. My smile is definitely real now.”

Bonnie Wilson, who runs the Farfield Hall Slimming World group, added: “The changes we have seen in Sarah are incredible. I hope her success will inspire other people in Connah’s Quay who would like to lose weight by forming new lifestyle habits and become happier and healthier to take action.

The Farfield Hall group meets every Tuesday at 8am, 10am, 12pm, 5pm and 7pm.

For more information about joining, call Bonnie on 07456 862372.