Karen Malone (left) before she shed five stone and (right) after, when she dropped from a size 20 to a size 14.
Published: March 16, 2023 | Updated: 17th March 2023
A slimmer who transformed her life by losing over five stone is using her success to shape a whole new career.
Karen Malone dropped from a size 20 to a size 14 in just 16 months after attending Slimming World.
She now hopes to help others change their lives and achieve their weight loss dreams by launching her own Slimming World group.
The first started on March 16 at St Michaels Church Hall, Colehill, and will be every Thursday at 6pm.
A second weekly group begins at The Reef, Colehill, from Saturday March 18 at 9.30am.
Karen, 60, who lives in Colehill, said: “There are a few key events that gave me the ‘lightbulb moment’.
“Climbing Durdle Door during the summer of 2021 I was so breathless it frightened me how unfit I was.
“In July 2021 – my husband’s birthday – lots of photographs were taken and I was truly shocked and disgusted with myself.
“I didn’t recognise the person I had become.
“I joined the gym and started regular swimming and gym sessions in August 2021 but I knew with such a lot of weight to lose that I would need support long term, so I set a date to join Slimming World.
“I was so dreading my first day, especially the scales, but I faced it and I’ve never looked back!
“The consultant Lucy was friendly and welcoming and the group so supportive.
“Shortly after I had joined Slimming World a routine blood test picked up that I had very high blood sugar levels.
“The GP warned me that if I carried on I would be diabetic.
“I was horrified; my father had suffered terribly with undiagnosed diabetes that ultimately led to his premature death.
“I promised the GP that I was already doing everything possible to improve my lifestyle and asked for a repeat blood test in three months’ time.
“By the time I had that repeat blood test I was very used to food optimising the Slimming World Way and I was exercising regularly.
“I was delighted when I was told the blood sugar result was normal.
“That’s when I realised my new lifestyle was quite literally for life.
“In August 2022 I completed my first sea swim of 2.5K and loved it.
“I attained my weight loss target in December 2022 and continue to exercise most days.
“I feel fit and healthy and enjoy shopping for clothes for the first time in my life.
“People just can’t believe that I’ve been able to do all this and still enjoy full plates of delicious foods.”
Karen has now trained as a Consultant for Slimming World, the UK’s largest group-based weight loss organisation, at its national training academy in Derbyshire.
To join Karen’s groups either pop along or call her on 07957 234839.
