Linsey set to re-launch Kells & Connor Slimming World group

Linsey Blair (43), who lives locally in Connor, first walked into the Kells & Connor group as a new, nervous member back in November 2011.

At 5ft 2, she weighed in at 13st 5lbs and felt uncomfortable, frumpy, cynical and completely devoid of confidence.

She joined to keep her soon to be sister-in-law company who wanted to drop a few pounds for her forthcoming wedding, but never expected to have any real weight loss success herself.

She said:“I had been slim, fit and active for many years and thought I knew my body and how to keep it in shape – but when Mr Right finally arrived into my life at age 35 I gave in to the contentment factor, living off take-aways, eating out and drinking wine, so before I knew it I had gone up three dress sizes.”

Linsey tried various methods to lose weight herself and while she had some success at times she couldn’t sustain it as she often felt hungry and restricted to bland foods.

She says it always felt like a short term fix that was hard work.

“I began to believe that it was an age thing, especially when I hit 40 – I had wanted to be 40 and fabulous but was resigned to being 40 and frumpy,” Linsey said.

When Linsey joined the Slimming group in Kells however, she was amazed to discover that she could eat as much as she wanted of many foods such as eggs, pasta, rice, lean meats and potatoes.

Linsey added: “We’re programmed by what we see in the media that we need to cut down our portion sizes, but this was a revelation to me about the filling effect of good natural produce that is also low in calories which allowed me to never be hungry on this plan.”

Linsey went on to discover that she could make all her favourites such as curries, chilli, chips and even creamy dishes like carbonara and make them slimming friendly just by changing an ingredient or two and altering the cooking method slightly.

She even found guidance on eating out and could still have her favourite red wine at the weekends.

“Even though I was unsure at first, the group at Kells became like family to me – I could vent a bit if I got a bad result on the scales and they would always encourage me and there was never any guilt trip or humiliation from the consultant or the members, only help and support,” Linsey said.

She added: “I began to think how much I might enjoy running a group myself and helping others.”

She even got the confidence to get a little more active by walking the dogs and salsa dancing as the weight came off.

Within a year and a half Linsey had lost 3st 8lbs and hit her own personal weight target, dropping three dress sizes.

“I’ll never forget trying on a size 10 dress the week I hit my target and it fitted like a glove – it was like all my Christmases had come at once,” she said.

Having re-gained her confidence, Linsey went on to be a Consultant for Slimming World and has been running the Broughshane group since May 2013.

She was delighted though when her original group in Kells & Connor became available recently and she was given the opportunity to take over as the Consultant to help inspire the members she has grown so fond of through her own weight loss journey.

Linsey said: “Slimming World is for life as the plan is sustainable rather than just a short term fix” Linsey told us.

The Kells & Connor Slimming World group re-launch is Thursday, July 24 at the new start time of 7pm, at the Community Centre, Glenaan Walk and everyone is welcome.

Contact Linsey on 07967 807790 for more details.