AN 'INSIPRATIONAL' Wrexham woman has achieved her Christmas wish of shedding seven-and-a-half stone to help her turn her life around.

Kirsty Jones completed that journey in just 43 weeks, losing seven stone, eight pounds through the help of her Slimming World group.

A happily married mum of three children; Matthew, Ruby and Joshua, Kirsty works in residential care and for the past 13 years has cooked in the home where she is providing that care.

Having been a yo-yo dieter for many years, and also been a former member of Slimming World, Kirsty knew that this time, joining the Acton group, had to be the last time.

She knew what had to be different - she needed the support and understanding to help her break old habits, she needed to commit to being at group every week to help impact her new life and lifestyle for lasting success, and she did just that.

Consultant for the Acton group, Sure Jones said: "Kirsty has committed to her weight loss journey 110%. Achieving her 1/2 stone award in her second week and one stone award in her third week."

Kirsty said: "Before Slimming World I’d get up in the morning and have a big bowl of cereal, loads of sugar on it, then if I felt hungry I’d go back for more, or toast and peanut butter and jam, then snacked on biscuits and crisps."

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She added: "For lunch, I would have four rounds of bread sandwiches, or fish and chips and cheese, yogurts and nibbles. Then tea, I would pick at whatever the kids had to eat, then I would have supper which could be four rounds of bread toasted with ham, cheese and mayo, more yogurts or ice-cream and lots of fizzy pop. 

"I’ve learnt that foods high in fats, oils and sugars are high in calories, and have no filling power, which leaves you wanting more to satisfy your appetite. Food optimising is so generous and absolutely not a diet.

"It has enabled me to take control and learn about my relationship with food, whilst not feeling hungry, as there are hundreds of free foods to choose from.

"Tea can be a jacket potato, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, brussels sprouts, or mixed veg with chilli or chicken. Steak, mushrooms, onions, mushy peas, homemade Slimming World chips is a firm favourite too, the list could go on as there’s so much free food to choose from with the Extra Easy Slimming World healthy eating plan."

Kirsty has also embraced Slimming World’s Physical Activity Support Programme referred to as Body Magic.

She started with walking and has steadily built up her levels of activity as it got easier, for that feel good factor. She’s now an avid hoola-hooper, cyclist and has started running, achieving her bronze, silver and gold body magic awards. 

Consultant Sue added: "Kirsty is an absolute inspiration to our Wednesday evening group.

"With 2023 ending in just a couple of weeks, Kirsty is on route for a happier, fitter and healthier New Year, being here for her beautiful family, achieving her dreams and holding onto it for good, I’m so excited for Kirsty and what 2024 will bring!'