After losing 50.5 pounds and winning a local weight loss competition, the only thing that’s big about Pam Agnew is her beaming smile.
Agnew lost weight with her local Slimming World group in Flower Mound and has dropped from size 16 to a size 8. And her transformation has not gone unnoticed as she was recently named the Thursday Night group’s Woman of the Year 2011.
There are already 11.9 million adults in Texas who are overweight or obese. Predictions are that it will rise to 14.8 million by 2020, totaling 70.5% of the population. The trend is mirrored across the USA. The obesity epidemic brings with it health problems including diabetes, heart disease and cancer, meaning that costs associated with overweight and obesity are also rising due to increasing health care expenditures, loss of productivity and mortality. Slimming World’s Woman of the Year competition recognizes the achievements of women in making long-term healthy lifestyle changes for themselves and their families.
Agnew joined Slimming World after becoming increasingly unhappy with her weight.
“I started to put on weight since my teens. I’ve lost it before and always gained more back. This time I have the tools to keep it off. I tried lots of different diets but they usually left me feeling hungry and miserable,” said Agnew.
“Slimming World is completely different, I never have to go hungry and I’m the happiest I’ve been in years!”
The 52-year-old started following Slimming World’s Food Optimizing eating plan several months ago. It’s a healthy eating plan, nutritionally balanced and based on satisfying even the largest of appetites so slimmers never have to go hungry. Now, Agnew fills up on unlimited amounts of everyday foods like fruit and vegetables, lean meat and fish, pasta, potatoes, rice and beans which are all filling foods yet naturally quite low in calories and fat. She’s cut out many of the processed convenience foods and sugary snacks she used to rely on.
“My family and friends are all amazed how much I can eat and still lose weight. I cook for them now and they can’t believe it’s all healthy food because it tastes so good. Everyone’s been really supportive.
“I know a lot of people worry about joining a weight loss club – they don’t know what to expect. But from the minute I walked into Slimming World, the support I’ve received from my Consultant Alma Hall and the rest of the group has been brilliant,” adds Agnew.
“At first I was really nervous, especially about stepping on the scales, but no one has ever made me feel embarrassed or ashamed. Straightaway I was made to feel welcome and now it’s like a night out with friends. I could not have done it without them.
“I never dreamt I could achieve so much. I’ve gone from a size 16 to a 8 and it’s made such a huge difference – it’s changed my life. I’ve got so much more energy and I can do things now that I could not before. My fitness has improved – I enjoy being active now rather than thinking of it as a chore, I’m much healthier, and when I’m out shopping I can pick clothes without worrying if they’ll fit or not. I feel like a winner already, and being voted the Flower Mound Thursday Night group’s Woman of the Year 2011 is the icing on the cake.”
Alma Hall, who runs the Flower Mound Thursday group, said, “I’m so proud of Pam. Not only does she look gorgeous, she’s improved her health and is bursting with energy. She’s a huge inspiration to everyone in our group and I hope she inspires other women in Flower Mound to change their lives in the same way. It can be hard to admit that you need to do something about your weight and to ask for help, but I think Pam shows just what’s possible and what a huge difference losing weight can make.”
The Flower Mound Slimming World group is held every Thursday at 9:30 am or 5:30 pm at Flower Mound Community Church, 3415 Cross Timbers Rd. To join or find out more, call Alma Hall at 214-681-8275 or visit www.slimmingworldusa.com for more times and locations.
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