Real Success

IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) is a very common condition, which affects around one third of the population at some time or other. It can be painful and the symptoms, which can include diarrhoea, wind, incontinence, nausea, belching and vomiting, can be very distressing. Although society’s awareness of the condition is rising, a cure is still eluding researchers.

Although stress is believed to have an influence on IBS, many people find that their condition is aggravated by certain foods. The IBS Network, a charity set up to help those with IBS, recommend a sensible balanced diet, regular activity and avoiding stress to help alleviate symptoms.

People with IBS who choose to lose weight often find sticking to a rigid diet very difficult due to the effect certain foods can have on their symptoms. Because the generosity and flexibility of Food Optimising allows you to choose the foods you want to eat, avoiding or limiting any foods that aggravate IBS symptoms is easy.

Many of our members with IBS have found the condition and their general health have improved significantly since beginning to Food Optimise. We caught up with Claire Canny, who joined Slimming World as member in summer 2001. Claire has had IBS from being a child, but since Food Optimising and losing a fabulous 4 stones her symptoms have practically disappeared.

Overweight as a child, Claire’s weight fluctuated throughout her teenage years and into adulthood. Gaining around 4 stones with each of her three pregnancies then struggling to lose it again, the final straw for Claire came after her third pregnancy. Disgusted with herself for putting all that weight back on again, she decided to join a group.

“I had already been a member of Slimming World and lost half a stone before going on holiday. When I got home I discovered I was expecting baby number three and (although pregnant members can continue going to Slimming World with the consent of their midwife) I decided not to go back to group. After having Liam I rejoined, 3½ stones heavier than when I left. I was worried that I’d be remembered. I was, but rather than being made to feel embarrassed about putting on more weight I was welcomed back with open arms.

“Just after rejoining, we went to Royal Ascot as we do every year. I couldn’t find anything to wear but eventually squeezed myself into a size 18 suit which covered everything – ideal! We arrived in a Limo, had a few glasses of champagne and I slowly began to enjoy myself. Then disaster struck. I nipped to the loo and my trouser zip broke. I think it was faulty, but the strain of holding me in hadn’t helped! Thankfully, my friends rallied around and found a safety pin to hold my trousers up, but my day was ruined. I vowed that things would be different next year."

Claire’s determination really paid off and her passion for Food Optimising has had many benefits. Not only has she lost a fantastic 4 stones and embarked on a more active lifestyle, because Claire can easily avoid the foods that aggravate her IBS, the symptoms have more or less cleared up.

“I’m the kind of person who really enjoys food and with Slimming World I can eat all the food I enjoy and still lose or maintain my weight. My IBS symptoms are aggravated by fatty food, particularly melted cheese and rich sauces, which I can very easily avoid when Food Optimising.

“It’s really important that I add a lot of fibre into my diet. Green days suit my diet and life style and I make a lot of vegetable chilli, quorn chilli and vegetable based pasta sauces. I have baked beans quite often and chick pea curry is another favourite. I eat out at least once a week and also enjoy a drink or two. I know what choices to make to stick to the plan and keep my IBS at bay – only occasionally, when I go over the top and have a flexible day with a capital “F” do some of the symptoms return briefly.”

Claire has also embarked on a new career since discovering Food Optimising. She opened her first Slimming World group in January this year and now runs three groups in Buckinghamshire; Burnham, Stoke Poges and Farnham Common.

The icing on Claire’s cake was a trip to Ascot one year after the ‘trouser incident’. “Three stones lighter and wearing a blue halter neck suit, I felt like a million dollars!” she told us.

Looking back, Claire reckons she’s lost a total of 20 stones but this time she’s determined to keep the weight off and knows that with Food Optimising she can do it - yoyo dieting is a thing of the past. “Losing weight has been a slow process this time, but I have learnt so much about eating healthily for life. The support I have found with Slimming World has been brilliant. We all help each other in group and my Consultant has encouraged and supported me all the way. I absolutely love being slim, and it’s true what they say – nothing tastes as good as being slim feels!”

As with all medical conditions we recommend that you consult your GP and always follow any treatment suggested by your doctor or hospital.

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If you'd like to reveal the real you, find your nearest warm and friendly Slimming World group, where men and women are welcome.