A FORMER midwife who once tipped the scales at more than 26 stone has made a new life for herself after losing an astonishing 15-and-a-half stone.
Sally Offer, 56, spent years caring for others while her own health took a back seat and eventually left her career when she found that the physical side of delivering babies had become incredibly demanding.
Sally joined Slimming World after hearing how it had helped many expectant mums to manage their weight.
She said: “I have so much more energy now, which is needed with five grandchildren!“These days I’m busy with swimming, long dog walks and Pilates classes. I started small with all of them and found over time I could do more and more. It’s a running joke that I’m busier now than before I retired!”
Sally, who now weighs 10 stone 8lb, tried to lose weight alone but realised she needed support to make lifelong changes.
“I plucked up the courage to join Slimming World – and I’m so glad I did. Everyone there was so welcoming and friendly.”
Sally credits her group in Keynsham for giving her the support she needed to learn about herself and her eating habits, and how to turn her life around.
“Everything I learned about my trigger foods (those foods that I found very difficult not to overeat) and potential pitfalls really helped me to understand myself as a slimmer.
“Two weeks after I reached my target weight, I went on holiday to Portugal with my girlfriends. For the first time in years, I didn’t need a seatbelt extender on the aeroplane!”
Sally recently reached the finals of Slimming World’s Greatest Loser competition, which celebrates the success of members who have achieved life-changing weight losses.
Sally’s consultant, Kelly Watts, who runs groups in Keynsham, said: “We could not be prouder of Sally. Sally is also the kindest person who wants everyone else to succeed too. Her caring nature will never be lost, and we’re so lucky to have her with us in group each week.”
