Angie’s a diamond after losing 12st 3lbs!

A grandmother from Stockport has picked up a national slimming title after maintaining an impressive 12st 3lbs weight loss for seven years, slimming from a size 32 to a slim size 10.

Angie Brockett, 72, says she was overweight for around 20 years before she found Slimming World and decided to make a change for life. Although Angie had been conscious of her weight for some time, it was an embarrassing job interview experience which proved to be the final straw.

Angie, who lives in Stockport, says: “I’d worked in the NHS for years and saw a job role that I thought I’d really enjoy. I was probably a little over qualified for it, but as soon as I walked into the interview room I knew I wasn’t going to get the job. The way the interviewer looked at me just made me want to burst into tears. I was struggling to fit into a size 32 dress at the time and all my confidence just ebbed away.

“After the interview I sat in my car feeling terrible about myself. It did however prove to be the final push I needed to do something about my weight – so I joined Slimming World and finally learned how to lose weight – and keep it off!”

Angie has now been named Slimming World’s Diamond Member of the Year 2019*, a title which celebrates members who have successfully maintained their target** weight.

She remembers how challenging life was when she weighed more than 22st. She says: “Simple tasks become huge obstacles when you’re carrying around an extra 12st. Holidays were the worst – I didn’t do well in the heat and my legs would chafe so badly that they would bleed. And of course even getting there was hard work – I had to ask for a seatbelt extension and walk sideways down the aisle of the plane because it was such a tight fit.”

Although initially nervous about joining Slimming World, Angie was overwhelmed by the support she received when she first found the courage to join her local group. She says: “It actually took me three attempts before I finally walked through the doors. The previous two weeks I’d got as far as the car park but lost my nerve when it came to actually going inside. When I did pluck up the courage though, I was met by a room of warm and friendly people who were all on the same journey. I knew then that I’d made the right choice.”

Unfortunately, an accident at work meant Angie spent long spells in hospital which kept her away from her group, although she remembers her fellow members rallying around her so that she could still keep on track with her healthy eating.

Angie says: “After my accident I never worked again, and my mobility was severely affected. I had to have a hip replacement and a procedure on my spine. I genuinely believe that my healthy lifestyle aided my recovery though, and as I continued to lose weight I gradually became more mobile again. I still have to use my walking sticks from time to time, but I can walk unaided now and that’s a lovely feeling.”

As well as helping her to become more mobile, Angie was amazed by all the delicious food she could still enjoy while losing weight. She says: “I’d always thought of ‘diets’ as being pretty miserable experiences where you feel hungry for much of the time. Slimming World was completely different though. My first meal was eggs, mushrooms, chips and beans – I couldn’t believe I could eat so well and still lose weight! Being part of my group has really reignited my passion for cooking as well, I love trying new recipes now.”

Angie says: “After my accident I never worked again, and my mobility was severely affected. I had to have a hip replacement and a procedure on my spine. I genuinely believe that my healthy lifestyle aided my recovery though, and as I continued to lose weight I gradually became more mobile again. I still have to use my walking sticks from time to time, but I can walk unaided now and that’s a lovely feeling.”

As well as helping her to become more mobile, Angie was amazed by all the delicious food she could still enjoy while losing weight. She says: “I’d always thought of ‘diets’ as being pretty miserable experiences where you feel hungry for much of the time. Slimming World was completely different though. My first meal was eggs, mushrooms, chips and beans – I couldn’t believe I could eat so well and still lose weight! Being part of my group has really reignited my passion for cooking as well, I love trying new recipes now.”

Of course, Angie is regularly asked what her secret to staying slim is, and she has a simple answer.

She says: “The best advice I can possibly give is to stay to your group! The support and inspiration I get from them each week really keeps me on track and I like to think I help out a few of the newer members with my own advice too. I’ve had a couple of other health issues over the years and I genuinely believe that keeping so fit and healthy has really helped me to recover each time. These days my smile is 100% genuine because I can handle whatever life throws at me!

“Slimming World has helped me to completely change my lifestyle for the better – and because of that I now feel so much happier, healthier and more confident. I love shopping now, I’m the first to sign up for a holiday and I just love to be out there enjoying life.”

Angie’s Slimming World Consultant Helen Whittaker couldn’t be prouder of her sparkling Diamond Member. She said: “Angie has always been a little ray of sunshine in our group, so we’re all extremely proud of her. She’s living proof that despite life’s ups and downs, you can lose weight and keep it off – for life. Angie is an amazing inspiration to everyone and we’re so pleased that her fantastic achievement has been recognised. I hope that her story inspires anyone who wants to lose weight and enjoy all the health benefits and increased confidence that brings.”

For a video of Angie’s Slimming World journey, please click here.

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FACT FILE

Starting weight: 22st 5lbs/313lbs/142kg

Weight loss: 12st 3lbs/171lbs/76kg

Weight now: 10st 2lbs/142lbs/66kg

Height: 5ft 5½ins/1.65m

Joining date: September 1989

Date achieved target: September 2012

Time at target: 7 years

Age: 72

Group: Angie attends the Sale group in Cheshire run by Consultant Helen Whittaker. It runs every Saturday at 7.30am, 9:30am and 11:30am at The Avenue Methodist Church.

Before menu:

Breakfast: Four slices of white bread with butter and marmalade. Large bowl of cornflakes with full fat milk and sugar. Two cups of sugary tea

Lunch: Full fat cheese and pickle sandwich on white bread, two packets of crisps and a cup of sugary tea

Dinner: Fish and chips with two slices of bread and butter and a cup of tea

Snacks: Couple of chocolate and a couple of packets of crisps

After menu:

Breakfast: Porridge oats with fresh or frozen fruit and skimmed milk, tea without sugar

Lunch: Jacket potato with beans and a large salad

Dinner: Homemade pork chops with stir fry veg, followed by fresh fruit and quark

Snacks: A couple of Slimming World hi fibre bars

*Slimming World’s Diamond Member competition is open to all members who have reached their personal achievement target weight and maintained that weight for more than 12 months. Around 10% of Slimming World’s membership are target members.

**At Slimming World, members choose their own personal achievement target and once they reach that weight, they can continue to attend their Slimming World group for free every week, while they remain 3lbs either side of their target, to receive support and inspire other members.