Sensational slimmer Laura Ferguson decided to give herself the ultimate gift, and lost over 5 stone as a result.
Laura decided the best Christmas present she could give herself was joining Scottish Slimmers. ‘I knew I needed to lose weight,’ says Laura, who works as a therapeutic radiographer.
‘As my birthday was in March, I decided if I didn’t do something about my weight now I probably never would.'
'After seeing an article about Scottish Slimmers, I decided the eating plan sounded realistic and easy to follow.’ Now more than 5 stone lighter, Laura couldn’t be happier.
‘It’s the best Christmas and birthday present rolled into one. I knew I needed to make some positive changes in my life, to improve my health and well-being,’ says Laura, who suffers from a condition called psoriatic arthritis, which affects her mobility and daily life.
‘My excess weight was making my condition worse, putting increasing pressure on my joints, particularly my knees and ankles and therefore increasing the pain I was feeling.
'Looking back I realise I wasn’t happy with the way I looked or what my unhealthy lifestyle was doing to my body. That has all changed since losing the weight and I’m fitter than I’ve ever been.’
Laura admits she had been unhappy with her weight for a while.
‘One of my worst ‘fat’ moments was when a friend was getting married and I was one of her bridesmaids. They had lots of dresses in the shop but none were big enough for me to try on. It was so upsetting.’
Now Laura can’t wait to go into shops and try on clothes. 'It’s bliss to shop for normal clothes... and shoes that aren’t wide fitting. I didn’t do shopping before!’ laughs Laura.
‘Also looking back at old photographs I didn’t realise how much I hid under baggy, unflattering clothes. I love vintage clothes and dresses and now I can wear the clothes I want to and look as good as I feel.'
'And I can’t wait for another friend to get married and ask me to be her bridesmaid – that would be wonderful!’