A HOLYWELL woman has shared her incredible weight loss story.

Lucy Loughery has said that, since her teenage years, she had struggled with her weight.

She says that she never managed to keep on top of a healthy diet – continually battling with yoyo dieting and getting nowhere fast.

Lucy – who holds a physical education degree – says that it was holiday snap in Tenerife that really made her take stock of things.

The mum-of-one joined a local Slimming World back in summer 2017 when one opened at her school.

She said: “I was amazed by Food Optimising, by how easy it is to follow, how quickly I started losing weight - and how easy it was to make changes to how I shop, cook and eat.”

Lucy says she jokingly set herself a target of being able to run a Half Marathon - and surprised herself less than a year later by dropping one and a half stone and completing her first half marathon in Liverpool.

She adds: "Slimming World has become an integral part of my lifestyle. It’s not difficult as it is so easy to adapt for me as veggie and my daughter as coeliac.

“I have made so many friends and we regularly support each other with recipe and Body Magic ideas. I have re-found my body confidence, winning the Slimming Word Teams Charity It’s a Knockout Competition, and continuing with my running, completing another Half Marathon, solo, during the first Lockdown.

“I also go to weekly Hulaband classes which is an amazing workout, not just for the waist but also for hips, thighs and arms as well as the heart. Plus, we regularly swim and cycle as a family.

“I truly have discovered the magic of movement and being more active with my family and friends in our new healthy lifestyle".

It’s been quite a year so far, having turned 50 in January!

She said: “This summer, having quit my teaching job and started working for Puddle Ducks, I have taken up paddleboarding, have had hysterics bouncing around an inflatable aquapark and canoed on the Basingstoke Canal, and have now lost more than my seven-year-old daughter weighs!

“The icing on the cake, I was nominated Woman of The Year by my Holywell group. I felt on top of the world! I could not have done it without the support of my Consultant Anthony and my Slimming World group.

“If you have never tried Slimming World, I urge you to try it. The groups are so warm and friendly. Members are treated with respect, understanding and kindness.”

Lucy attends the Thursday group session in Holywell, held at St Peters Church on Rose Hill. Classes meet at 10am, 5pm and 6.30pm.

Lucy adds: “Anth also does a Saturday morning in Carmel Village Hall 8am and 9.30am. There’s always one session I can attend to keep me on track, even when on holiday in the UK, and get the weekly support from everyone.”