Lisa loses more than half her body weight and gears up for Race for Life
A support worker from Leicestershire has lost more than 13st with Slimming World and is raising money for Cancer Research UK by running her local Race for Life event.
Before joining Slimming World, Lisa Eden, 46, from East Leake, had struggled with her weight for most of her life and began dieting at just 11.
Mum-of-three Lisa tried a range of weight loss methods, including hypnotherapy and weight loss groups. Over the years, she would lose weight and feel great, but the weight she’d lost always came back on – and more.
After being told that she had type 2 diabetes as well as high blood pressure, it was her increasingly concerning health that led Lisa to decide to take control of her weight for good. Lisa’s GP gave her three months to make improvements to her health through lifestyle changes, before she would need to go on a variety of medication.
Lisa, who lives with her husband and three daughters, says: “I was at rock bottom, both physically and mentally. I knew I wanted and needed to make a change, but I just didn’t know how."
I’d drive everywhere and would park as close to the shops as possible as my knees and hips couldn’t cope with walking far. My breathing was extremely heavy and walking up the stairs would leave me gasping for air by the time I reached the top. I went to sleep every night worried I wouldn’t wake up due to breathing complications, and I had to sleep propped up with pillows to try to control it.
In February 2022, Lisa joined the Clifton Slimming World group. She says: “Being honest, I wasn’t convinced that it would work. I tried Slimming World years ago but looking back I realise that my head was never really in the game. This time though, my mindset had completely shifted, and I was ready to fully embrace everything Slimming World had to offer to help me on my weight loss journey.
“I was nervous about walking into group for the first time as I was self-conscious and embarrassed about my size. I pushed through the nerves though as I knew I had to do it for myself. I’m so glad I did, it’s the best decision I’ve ever made – for me and my family.
“I was welcomed straight away by my Consultant Sacha and the other group members, and I felt reassured and relieved. Everyone at group is so supportive and there is never any judgement.”
Lisa has since lost more than half her body weight by following Slimming World’s Food Optimising healthy eating plan and is still able to enjoy her favourite meals like a roast chicken dinner with her family. She has also increased her fitness and activity levels with Slimming World’s Body Magic physical activity support programme, and she now loves to do aqua aerobics and Clubbercise at her local leisure centre.
After losing more than 13st and increasing her activity levels, Lisa is now able to walk without being short of breath and will be taking part in a 5km event from Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life event series.
Lisa says: “I no longer see exercise as the enemy – I love it! I have gone from struggling to climb the stairs to climbing Snowdon and enjoying every second of it. I’m also gearing up for my upcoming Race for Life event and if you’d told me three years ago that I would be whizzing around a 5km course without becoming breathless, I’d have laughed in your face – now I can’t wait!"
I’ll be completing Race for Life in support of everyone who has been affected by cancer. I know firsthand the impact a cancer diagnosis can have as my father and stepmother have both had cancer, and I had my own cancer scare. I want to do everything I can to support Cancer Research UK in the vital work that they do to help families touched by cancer.
Slimming World Consultant Sacha Patchett, who runs the group in Clifton that Lisa attends each week, says: “I’m so proud of Lisa and how she has embraced every element of her weight loss journey. She’s an inspiration to us all and I know she is going to love crossing the finish line at her Race for Life event!”
Alongside losing weight and improving her fitness, Lisa has also reversed her high blood pressure and seen her type 2 diabetes condition go into remission. Not only that, she has also gained stacks of confidence and can do things that she never thought she’d be able to, such as snorkelling and swimming with dolphins. She says: “I love getting involved in all kinds of activities and no longer feel held back by my weight. I can now accompany my youngest daughter who’s nine, on rides at the theme park and fit into wetsuits for underwater holiday excursions.”
Slimming World, which has been working with Cancer Research UK for more than a decade and has helped to raise more than £20m in fundraising, is an official sponsor of Race for Life 2024.
To enter, visit raceforlife.org
Slimming World was founded by Margaret Miles-Bramwell OBE in Derbyshire in 1969 and has become the UK and Ireland’s leading weight loss organisation with more people choosing to attend a Slimming World group each week than any other weight loss programme. We support hundreds of thousands of people, both in our groups and online, to lose weight and to adopt new habits to stay slim for life.
Over the years our founding principles haven’t changed:
· Our unique programme is based on a powerfully motivating support system called IMAGE (Individual Motivation and Group Experience) Therapy. Underpinned by a deep understanding of the psychology of people living with overweight and obesity, and incorporating the most effective sustainable behaviour change techniques, IMAGE Therapy is designed to inspire and motivate slimmers to make positive mindset changes and to develop new, healthier habits around food and activity.
· Food Optimising is our healthy eating plan, based on the liberating concept of Free Food. We encourage members to fill up on those foods that are naturally lower in energy density (calories per gram) and also highly satisfying while limiting foods that are highest in fat and sugar and are less satisfying, so they lose weight without ever feeling hungry or deprived and without having to weigh, measure or count everything they eat.
· Our physical activity support programme, Body Magic helps members to overcome any barriers around exercise. Members choose when to start and they set the pace, finding activities they genuinely enjoy, until regular physical activity becomes an intrinsic part of their daily routine.
At the heart of everything we do lies our passion for treating every member with genuine care, empathy and respect.
We’re proud to work with the NHS, the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID), The Royal College of Midwives, Diabetes UK and others to help shape the future of weight management in the UK and Ireland.
For more information about Slimming World’s approach visit slimmingworld.co.uk or slimmingworld.ie
Follow Slimming World on X and Instagram at @slimmingworld, become a Slimming World fan on Facebook at facebook.com/slimmingworld or tune in on TikTok at tiktok.com/@slimmingworld
For the Press Office visit our newsroom or email public.relations@slimmingworld.co.uk
About Cancer Research UK
· Cancer Research UK is the world’s leading cancer charity dedicated to saving lives through research, influence and information.
· Cancer Research UK’s pioneering work into the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer has helped save millions of lives.
· Cancer Research UK has been at the heart of the progress that has already seen survival in the UK double in the last 50 years.
· Today, 2 in 4 people survive their cancer for at least 10 years. Cancer Research UK wants to accelerate progress and see 3 in 4 people surviving their cancer by 2034.
· Cancer Research UK supports research into the prevention and treatment of cancer through the work of over 4,000 scientists, doctors and nurses.
· Together with its partners and supporters, Cancer Research UK is working towards a world where people can live longer, better lives, free from the fear of cancer.
· For further information about Cancer Research UK's work or to find out how to support the charity, please call 0300 123 1022 or visit www.cancerresearchuk.org. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.