Sarah hits milestones by losing 3st 10lbs and raising money for Cancer Research UK!

On top of achieving her dream weight, Sarah Mainwaring, 38, is now representing Slimming World in their 14-strong official marathon team this April. The Slimming World members, Consultants, Head Office staff and managers come from across the UK and Ireland and between them have lost more than 79st.

The runners are raising money for Cancer Research UK, the Irish Cancer Society and Alzheimer’s Research UK, Slimming World’s official charity partners.

Sarah is running for Cancer Research UK, as well as aiming to increase awareness of how keeping a healthy weight and moving more can improve people’s health and help reduce the risk of developing some types of cancer. 

Sarah says: “My family has been deeply affected by cancer, and so when I found out about Slimming World’s support of Cancer Research UK, I was excited to get involved.

“As well as donating clothes I no longer fit into through The Big Slimming World Clothes Throw, I’m about to run the London Marathon 2023 with the Slimming World team, raising vital funds for Cancer Research UK and its life-saving work. I can’t wait to cross the finish line and I want to let the world know how what would once have felt the impossible for me has become possible with Slimming World by my side. I’m happier, healthier and loving life!”

Before joining Slimming World, Sarah really became aware of her weight as she struggled to do everyday things like walking, gardening or playing with her children when her weight crept up after a relationship breakdown.

Sarah says: “I hated looking at photos of myself too, so how I was persuaded to take part in a photo shoot for my mum’s birthday I’ll never know! When the images came back, they really shocked me. I knew things had to change if I wanted to live longer and be the mother to my children I so desperately wanted to be – so I made the decision to join my local Slimming World group."

Sarah followed Slimming World’s Food Optimising healthy eating plan and loved that the flexible plan gave her the knowledge and skills to make changes to the way she ate and improved her understanding of her relationship with food. She says: ““Before I joined Slimming World, I wouldn’t eat breakfast and then I would snack on crisps, biscuits, fizzy pop and chocolate. I ate a lot of microwave meals and anything easy I could throw in the oven like pizza and chips. Now though it couldn’t be more different, I eat breakfast every day, like porridge topped with fresh fruit, and before, I thought I was too busy to cook, now I know planning my evening meals is the key. Eating a healthy, homecooked meal doesn’t actually have to take much longer than a microwave meal – and it tastes much better.”

As Sarah lost weight and grew in confidence, she decided to explore Slimming World’s Body Magic physical activity support programme, which helps members to embrace active habits. The programme recognises a wide range of activities, to suit all ability levels and budgets, and supports members to increase activity from their own individual starting point and at their own pace.

Sarah says: “My Slimming World group gave me the confidence to not only start eating more healthily, but to get active too. I was encouraged to start small, and I began by walking which then became completing the couch to 5k app. I am now a keen athlete, have completed two half marathons and I even went back to college and am now a fully qualified fitness instructor and currently studying to become a personal trainer. I want to let the world know how Slimming World got me from laying on the couch to a road running queen!

“I used to suffer with a really bad lower back pain and aches in my knees but since losing weight, I’m pain free.

“Running the 2023 London Marathon for Cancer Research UK is a dream come true. My son had a brain tumour many years ago, and I’ll never forget the fear and anxiety my whole family went through. Charities such as Cancer Research UK are vitally important.”

Slimming World Consultant Simon Richardson runs weekly group sessions in Mountain Ash and Aberdare and says: “Sarah is a real inspiration to us all and we are so proud of her. When she first came through the door she wanted to lose weight – however, she had no idea what a huge transformation was about to begin and certainly no idea that she would one day be running the London Marathon, it’s incredible! She is proof that with self-belief, determination and the right kind of support from a group of people who understand what it feels like to struggle with your weight and truly care about your success, anyone’s weight loss and activity dreams can be achieved.” 

For more information or to find your nearest group, visit slimmingworld.co.uk.

Money raised for Cancer Research UK, Irish Cancer Society and Alzheimer’s Research UK helps fund life-saving research. Anyone who would like to sponsor the Slimming World Marathon team can do so by visiting: https://justgiving.com/campaign/SW-LondonMarathon2023