Urmston hairdresser loses over 2 stones of weight with a local Slimming World group

A Hairdresser in Urmston found her confidence again following the Coronvirus lockdown by losing over 2 stone with a Slimming World group.

Leah Lyons decided to rejoin a Slimming World group in Davyhume once lockdown restrictions had eased when she was nervous returning to work after nearly 2 years not being able to work in the salon.

Leah said: “I was tired of having to always wear baggy clothing and as a hairdresser and a mother of 2 that is always on my feet I knew the importance of maintaining a healthy weight and lifestyle and I knew I needed to do something about it, especially as I am known by friends and family to be outgoing and confident. Having tried to lose weight on my own using apps and struggling to see any results I rejoined my old Slimming world Group”.

Recent research carried out by Slimming World, where 2000 adults were questioned shows that Leah is not alone. When asked about the challenges of trying to manage their weight since the pandemic and lockdowns, 31% said they found it more difficult, with 12% of those stating it was much more difficult. Of those surveyed, more than one in three (36%) reported that they had gained weight over the course of the past two years (compared to 19% who had lost weight). 

Of those who gained weight, seven in 10 (72%) have tried to lose weight in the past two years, with almost half (49%) embarking on a weight loss campaign more than once. These respondents were most likely to cite going it alone (32%) and using a weight loss or fitness app alone (13%) when asked how they attempted to slim.

Lea said: “Walking back into group I was a bag of nerves, it had been so long since I had been in a room full of people however that soon evaporated when everyone was so welcoming and understanding. It became apparent very quickly that we all felt the same way. Within only a matter of weeks these strangers became my friends that I talked to daily on a whatsapp group I set up. Supporting each other on our journeys meant that the weight started coming off finally at a pace I was happy about, and it wasn’t long before I was no longer hiding behind baggy clothes and a scarf and I was out socialising regularly again – and still losing weight.”

In fact Leah’s confidence and love for the members in the group grew so much that when her consultant and now friend fell pregnant Leah offered to buy the franchise and take over the group,

Lea continued: “Not only did Slimming World help me feel more confident in myself, but it also gave me a new strong support and social network that I missed in the pandemic, and now as a new consultant I am passionate about helping anyone who has struggled with their confidence because of their weight to get all the benefits that I personally gained from the group.”