BEING the biggest loser wouldn't usually help you to scoop an award- yet one woman from Upton has done just that after being named of of six Upton Slimming World with Steph greatest losers 2019.

That’s because Sarah Gibson has lost a life changing five stone 13lb and slimmed down from a size 26 to 16-18 to take the 3pm session title which is awarded to member of the Upton Slimming World group that has lost the most weight, and feels great as a result.

Over the six sessions on a Wednesday that Steph runs from the royal British Legion the combined weight loss of the six greatest losers is 33 stone.

Sarah joined slimming world after being told by her doctor that the surgery she required would not be available to her until she brought her BMI down from 55.5 into a healthy range, she also hated that she wasn’t able to keep up with her young family like other mums could and when she had to wear a uniform for work it was a man size uniform.

Chester and District Standard:

Sarah Gibson

However the crux was when she got stuck in a soft play area with her children and had to be rescued by the staff, Sarah remembers this as a mortifying experience and never ever wanted to feel this way again.

Sarah’s weight was also putting a huge strain on her health and she suffered with high blood pressure, asthma and painful joints along with depression.

While Sarah is still on her journey to target what she loves about slimming world is all the free food that she cooks for her and her family, “ we all eat healthy now and I love planning the days meals and looking forward to enjoying it as a family at the end of the day."

At slimming world your weight always remains confidential and there is a great support network inside group.

Sarah points out that although she was nervous when she first joined she soon realised that the group was warm, friendly and very supportive and actually feels more like a family.

She said: "Even when I’ve not had a great week I know when I go to group I will get the support and motivation from Steph and the group to set me off to a fresh new week full of ideas of meals and strategies that will give me the focus I need for the week ahead.”

Sarah follows the club's Food Optimising eating plan and swapped takeaways, pasties and crisps with homemade healthy versions of Fakeaways and healthy pasties.

Chester and District Standard:

Sarah has lost more than five stone

Sarah added: “ I have never once felt like I’m on a diet and I’ve been on other restrictive diets that I never happy on and always felt miserable and afterwards always regained all the weight I had previously lost, Slimming World however is just part of family life now, swapping unhealthy choices for healthy ones and never ever feeling hungry, this is the change that I have made for life and I have all the tools I need to keep it up for life, I no longer suffer with my high blood pressure or asthma, my pains in my joints has reduced and I no longer feel depressed as I can see a way forward for life, in fact I have a new built confidence, I have got a new job, started zumba classes with my mum who is a target member who also is in Steph’s group, I enjoy swimming and I’ve just started to learn to drive, all the things previously that my weight stopped me from achieving.

"Anyone that is thinking of joining I would advise to come along and see for yourself how the Upton Slimming World group is and never be scared as Steph will always make you feel welcome and supported.”

Steph Ellis, who runs the group in Upton, added: “The changes we’ve seen in Sarah are incredible. I hope her success will inspire other people who’d like to lose weight by forming new lifestyle habits and become happier and healthier to take action. There’s a warm welcome awaiting, just think if you start today you could feel like a new person just like Sarah and the rest of the six greatest losers session winners.”

For more information contact Steph on 0750 6688868 or call into the group held on Wednesdays at Upton British Legion 8am, 10am, 12pm, 3pm, 5pm or 7pm.