Monday 29th October 2012



A mother and son from Derbyshire are celebrating after losing 5 and a half stone between them.



Karen Hodgkinson, 32 - pictured above with son Alex prior to their joint weight loss - has lost 3 and a half stone with her local Slimming World group and, after introducing her 14-year-old son Alex to healthy eating, he's lost 2st 4lb too, both pictured below looking fantastic after losing the weight.



Chesterfieldmum has been so impressed with the difference Slimming World has made to her and her family's lives that she's decided to train as a Consultant and open her own group to help other people in the area to slim down just as she's done.

She says: "I feel so much happier and healthier. Losing weight has given me a whole new lease of life and my children have got their mum back. I just want to share that feeling with other people and give them the support to change their lives too."

Karen had struggled with her weight since she was pregnant with Alex but gained a lot of weight in the past couple of years. It left her suffering with severe bloating and back pain, and she would get tired and out of breath easily. "I was very unhappy. I hated clothes shopping and was ashamed of how big I'd become. I'd lost all confidence," she adds.

Four months ago, Karen decided she didn't want to hide in the background anymore and went along to her local Slimming World group with her niece. But having a familiar face there didn't stop her from feeling nervous, she says: "I didn't know what to expect but as soon as I got there, I was made to feel so welcome. The Consultant and the whole group were so warm and friendly and I got such a great amount of support every week. I don't think I'd have been as successful if it wasn't for them. Every week we'd celebrate our weight losses, prepare for the week ahead and share recipes and tips. I've made lots of friends too."

Karen started following Slimming World's Food Optimising eating plan and loved that she could enjoy healthy every day foods without having to weigh and measure them. She started making healthy, home-cooked meals for all the family, including all their favourite dishes like chicken curry, sweet and sour pour and gammon, egg and chips.

Her son Alex loved the healthy meals - even helping in the kitchen too - and started to make healthier choices when snacking as well, opting for fresh fruit and yoghurt instead of tucking into crisps, cakes and biscuits.

The family has also become much more active too. Karen says: "I couldn't climb the stairs without getting out of breath before I lost weight, but things have changed so much. Now I swim, walk and we go on family bike rides. I'm so much healthier now and feel full of energy."

Karen will now be opening her own Slimming World group and says: "Everyone's welcome. I feel so passionate about helping people to change their lives and giving the chance I had."

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