It’s the London Marathon on Sunday 27th April, and as that colourful crowd of runners streams over the capital’s iconic Tower Bridge, you might just spot some of our amazing Slimming World team.
Maria Williams, 44, has lost 8st 1½lbs (51kg) with Slimming World, and will be running to raise money for Cancer Research UK.
“Emotional eating and boredom were always the cause of my weight gains. Being overweight affected my day-to-day life and stopped me from doing things other people may take for granted. I found it difficult to walk or exercise. It made me feel down and ashamed of myself.
My final-straw moment was in August 2021, after a general check-up with my GP. At 19st 8½lbs (124kg), I was told I had prediabetes – and if I didn’t do something about my weight, it wouldn’t be long before it developed into type 2 diabetes. I had high cholesterol, too. This – together with seeing a picture of myself from a family holiday that year – convinced me that I needed to make a change.
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I was worried I’d have to give up my favourite foods to lose weight, but when I joined Slimming World I found out that wasn’t the case! Instead, I made simple swaps, like making my own bolognese sauce using the recipe on the member app, instead of using a bought jar of sauce.
My Slimming World group has been so supportive since day one. I’m now the Consultant for the group I joined back in 2021, because I want to help others achieve their weight loss goals, too.
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Before joining, I had a fairly active job as a gardener and would walk my dog – but I couldn’t go far, and I’d feel achy and worn out very easily. Once I’d lost around 5st, I looked into Slimming World’s physical activity support programme, Body Magic, to help me set some activity-based goals. This really helped to motivate me, and I gradually built up my fitness levels with walking, before eventually starting running.
Taking part in the London Marathon has been a dream of mine for a long time, so I’m delighted to be doing it as part of the Slimming World team. I’ll be running for Cancer Research UK, in remembrance of my friends and relatives who I’ve sadly lost to cancer. My dad recently finished treatment for prostate cancer, and my sister-in-law has just overcome breast cancer for the second time. It means so much to me to be able to raise funds for such an important charity.”
Maria runs her own Slimming World group in Burry Port, Wales, to help support and inspire others to reach their weight loss goals.
You can find Maria’s fundraising page here.
If you’re feeling inspired to give running a go, you’ll find a step-by-step training plan on our exclusive member website and app. Start today and you could join us running Race for Life this summer!