
Scots super slimmer to get life-changing surgery after shedding seven stones
Food Optimising has now become part of every day life for Sandra who loves being able to shop, cook and eat healthier at home.
A super slimmer who transformed her health has told of her joy at now being able to have life-changing surgery after losing more than seven stones. Sandra Rennie joined her local Slimming World group in East Kilbride after struggling with other ways to lose weight.
She needed knee replacement surgery but was told her Body Mass Index (BMI) was too high to safely go ahead with the operation.
Food Optimising has now become part of every day life for Sandra who loves being able to shop, cook and eat healthier at home.
Sandra said: "I have achieved so much more than I ever thought I could and I am now only a few pounds away from my dream weight. I joined my local group in Westwood as I need a knee replacement and at a hospital appointment recently I was told that I am now in an acceptable range with my BMI for my operation."
The Food Optimising plan encourages members to eat lots of tasty, filling foods like pasta, rice, potatoes and lean meat and fish, so they are never hungry and no foods are banned so there's no deprivation. Sandra added: "I love Food Optimising! It's become part of everyday life for me. I love being able to shop, cook and eat healthier at home and soup is definitely my favourite go-to quick meal.
"Since joining Slimming World my days are filled with healthy nutritious meals that fill me up and give me plenty energy. Both of us at home love following the Food Optimising plan and I have support 100 per cent from my family to make the changes necessary to be a happier healthier me.'
Slimming World isn't just about changing what you eat. Becoming more active is important too. Slimming World's Body Magic programme takes the threat out of activity by showing people how they can build activity into their daily routine without having to take up traditional forms of exercise like going to the gym or running.
Sandra has went from having no energy to now keeping herself much more active.
"Since losing weight, I can walk further without having to stop and catch my breath and I am now much more confident in my appearance which I wasn't before", she said. Slimming World, don't just celebrate the weight loss successes, they also celebrate every milestone.
Sandra went on: "My biggest challenge to overcome was my mindset. I feel that if my head wasn't in the right place then it would be so easy to give up on myself. I am confident now that I have created new healthy habits for life that I won't go back to they way I was before as I have come too far. "I couldn't have achieved what I have without the support from Margaret and all the amazing people in group each week. I stay for group after weighing in every week which keeps me focused and motivated. I still learn new recipes and top tips and I know this will continue throughout my journey." Margaret Miller, who runs the Westwood Slimming World group, said: "I am so proud of Sandra as she has been committed to her weight loss journey. I've seen huge differences since Sandra has joined in her mobility and confidence. She is a different person now - knowing that when going on holiday she can make healthy choices and still enjoy herself." Margaret's Slimming World group is held at Our Lady of Lourdes, Canberra Drive, East Kilbride every Wednesday morning at 9.30am. For more information, pop along to the group or call 07731 115071 for any joining offers.
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Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
'I was a 20st secret eater then I was diagnosed with diabetes'
Mark Fettes used to hid his binge shopping on his credit card so his wife wouldn't know what he was doing but then he knew he had to change and lost more than 8st in less than a year A 20st tech expert says his secret snacking is in the past after a shock diagnosis which led him to lose more than eight stones in weight. Mark Fettes was getting "bigger and bigger" until he was told he had type 2 diabetes. Knowing he had to do something he joined Slimming World and lost the weight - and along with it put his diabetes into remission in less than eight months. Mark, from Lancashire, says: 'I'd been getting bigger and my health was really suffering. "As well as high blood pressure which I was on medication for, I was then diagnosed with type 2 diabetes which worried me. My wife Nikki and I would have takeaways two to four nights a week and most days working from home, I got into a habit of eating secretly. "I'd order a fast-food breakfast delivery or as soon as Nikki left for work, I'd nip to the local shop and buy five or six microwave burgers, a large bag of cheese balls and a two-litre bottle of cola. I'd even buy it with my credit card so Nikki wouldn't find out. 'Although I'd tried Slimming World in the past, I'd stopped going to group after three weeks and never really followed the plan. I realise now that by never staying for the group support, I wasn't learning anything about the plan, my relationship with food or how to change my habits. "My doctor suggested I try Slimming World on a 12-week referral programme. Then Nikki said she wanted to join a group, and while I'll admit I thought it would be a waste of time, I went along with her for support.' Slimming World on Referral is a partnership scheme with the NHS which provides people living with overweight or obesity with access to a 12-week weight loss plan from Slimming World. It's available in 72 areas across the UK. Mark joined his Fleetwood group in May last year weighing 20st 8lbs. He says: 'When we arrived at our local Slimming World group and met Sarah, our Consultant, my view soon changed. There was such an electric atmosphere and everything clicked. "There were lots of other guys there who were so supportive and I was blown away by everyone's journeys. I left feeling inspired and feeling that I could really make this work. "As soon as I found out all my favourite meals were still on the menu, so long as they were cooked in a healthy way, I knew this was a plan I could stick with. I lost 8lbs that first week." He said he was soon helping other people adding: "Knowing everyone was genuinely rooting for me was incredible. I genuinely wish the sessions were longer because I love it so much. 'As someone living with type 2 diabetes, I was given tailored resources – including a dedicated booklet created in partnership with Diabetes UK. It made it easy to adapt the Slimming World plan to my needs while staying in line with my healthcare team's advice. Knowing the support was backed by Diabetes UK gave me real confidence I was doing the right thing for my health. "My relationship with food has totally changed and I've fully embraced new habits so I know I'll be able to keep the weight off forever. We cook from scratch so much nowadays, with lots of lean meat and vegetables. As we both lead such busy lives, we love the convenience of the Slimming World Free Food range from Iceland, too. We've always got Slimming World chips in the freezer. 'I led a very sedentary lifestyle before, working from home and sitting down for eight hours. The most exercise I did was a walk at the weekend and some housework. My fitness was non-existent and I'd be lucky to manage 10 minutes walking on a treadmill.' He says that has now changed explaining: 'At the start, I couldn't even entertain the idea of any exercise. As I started losing weight though I began to move more by getting off my chair and walking around the house and going for regular brisk walks. After a month I realised I was enjoying fitness again – I used to work out in my 20's but had stopped. 'These days, I'm fitter than I've ever been – I'm a regular at the gym and even run there and back most days. My favourite way to start the day is a run along the seafront before work. "Before Slimming World, I was just an overweight guy going through the motions, not thinking much about my health or how I looked. Now, I feel like a completely new man. Being active and outdoors again isn't just good for my body – it's lifted my whole outlook on life. 'I used to struggle to find clothes that fit and would rely on basic supermarket 4 or 5XL t-shirts instead of things I really wanted to wear. Since I've lost weight, the impact on my everyday life has been incredible – I'm healthier, full of energy and I feel much more confident. 'Eight months after joining Slimming World, my health check revealed that my type 2 diabetes had gone into remission. My health has turned around completely – doctors used to be worried I'd have a heart attack, now I've come off my blood pressure medication and I've even stopped snoring and sleep much better.' Mark's experience backs up research published in the journal Archives of Diabetes & Obesity showing that people with type 2 diabetes can improve their diabetes management by making healthy lifestyle changes and losing weight following Slimming World's programme. The research revealed, of the members surveyed, 33.9% of those with type 2 diabetes reported their diabetes had gone into remission; this increased to 51% for those who'd lost at least 10% of their body weight; 61% were able to reduce or stop taking their diabetes medication and 81% saw improvements in their blood glucose (also known as blood sugar levels) management. Diabetes UK estimates that 1.3 million people are currently living with type 2 diabetes but are yet to be diagnosed. Douglas Twenefour, Head of Clinical at Diabetes UK, says: 'We are proud to be working with Slimming World, supporting members who are living with diabetes, or at risk of type 2 diabetes. By combining our expertise on weight loss, long-term healthy eating and diabetes, we are committed to helping people build healthier habits and live healthier lives.' Dr Sarah-Elizabeth Bennett, Senior Research Associate at Slimming World , says: 'The improvements Mark has made to his health are incredible and our research shows many members experience similar outcomes. Slimming World's partnership with Diabetes UK makes that support even stronger and enables us to further deepen our understanding of the challenges and misconceptions people living with diabetes face. 'Slimming World's flexible healthy eating plan can be easily tailored for members like Mark to fit their individual needs and to make sure it's in line with the dietary advice from their healthcare professional. It enables members to enjoy a wide variety of healthy everyday foods – like fresh fruit and veg, lean meat and poultry, fat free dairy, eggs, pasta, rice and grains.' Sarah Wells runs the Fleetwood Slimming World group and is Mark's Consultant. She says: 'To think it was a year ago that Mark joined my group – it's been incredible to see his progress. His success just goes to show how Slimming World makes a real difference in people's lives – we have the best package in group to help members lose weight, including techniques we share to help members understand themselves better, looking at those foods or situations that are stoppers for them and finding ways to protect their weight loss in the long term. "By changing his habits around food and activity in ways that worked for him, Mark was able to lose more than 8st and go on to put his type 2 diabetes into remission. I'm so very proud of him.' For more details about Slimming World or find your nearest group here. Mark's statistics Weight Loss: 8st 5lbs (54kg) Joining weight: 20st 8lbs (130.6kg) Current weight: 12st 3lbs (77kg) Before Breakfast: Fast food breakfast delivery – typically two or three pork sausages, egg and cheese toasted muffins Lunch: Five or six microwaveable burgers Dinner: Takeaway usually Chinese or pizza or kebabs – two to four nights a week Snacks: Share bag of crisps usually cheese balls, sweets and full sugar fizzy drinks After Breakfast: Overnight oats with low-fat yoghurt and fruit or poached fresh haddock and grilled tomatoes with wholemeal toasted pitta bread Lunch: Chicken slices and salad with a wholemeal wrap; a jacket potato with tuna, sweetcorn and low-fat mayonnaise or a hearty soup Dinner: Low-fat sausages, beans topped with grated reduced-fat cheese and Slimming World chips Snacks: Fruit, a low-fat bag of crisps and high fibre snack bars


The Courier
2 days ago
- The Courier
MARTEL MAXWELL: Dundee 'weight-loss wave' has me tempted by shortcuts
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Scottish Sun
6 days ago
- Scottish Sun
I'm in £21k of debt but Mounjaro's an essential buy each month, I've lost 5st without giving up Chinese takeaways
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A MUM has revealed she has no regrets about spending £1,200 on confidence-boosting Mounjaro - despite being in £21,000 of debt. Nikki Johnstone, from Falkirk, started using the weight loss jabs last August when she tipped the scales at 18st 7lb. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 Nikki Johnstone weighed 18st 7lb before Mounjaro Credit: Supplied 5 The mum-of-two has now lost 5st Credit: Supplied 5 She's used the weight loss jabs for the past nine months Credit: Getty The mortgage advisor, 36, had been unhappy with her weight for a long time, especially since having kids. But leaving a bad relationship, working on a debt repayment plan, improving her mental health and looking after her children - now aged three and five - had always taken priority over weight loss. Now, after taking a chance on Mounjaro, she has lost 5st and currently weighs 13st 6lb. Here, Nikki exclusively opens up to Fabulous on her Mounjaro journey. The single mum said: "I'd been considering it for some time but was worried about all the horror stories you read and wondered if it was actually a scam or was this genuinely a wonder drug? "I watched loads of videos on TikTok of others taking it and describing the journey and saw a discount code for cheap so decided to get on board. "I've got about 3.5st to get to my ideal goal weight of around 10st which I hope to get to by the end of the year." Nikki is currently on a journey to pay off £21,000 of debt but insists she would "happily spend the money again and again" on weight loss jabs. To date, the hard-working mum has spent £1,238.99 on Mounjaro pens, which works out at an average of £138 per pen. And she always shops around for the best prices and often swaps pharmacies to keep the cost down. I've lost 3 stone in 8 months on fat jabs - there's a common error new starters are making & it means nasty side effects She said: "I like to say there is no right or wrong with money. You have to prioritise what is important to you, depending on what speaks to your soul. "My personal transformation journey is super important to me, and without health, you have nothing else. "I left my relationship in February and moved into my own little house with my children - I want to be healthy for me but I especially want to be healthy for them." Nikki had previously lost 4st on WeightWatchers but quickly piled it all back on, and tried Slimming World five times "with no success". But over the past nine months she's seen the weight consistently drop off thanks to "easy" Mounjaro, regarded by some as the King Kong of weight loss jabs. 5 Nikki says she has no regrets about using Mounjaro despite her debt Credit: Supplied 5 Her slimmer figure has given her the confidence to help others About half a million Brits use weight loss drugs - and the number is expected to double in the next year. Mounjaro works by suppressing your appetite, making people feel fuller for longer. The injections are licensed for patients with type 2 diabetes and to assist those who are clinically obese (with a Body Mass Index of 30 or over). One jab is administered each week but the duration is dependent on someone's weight. While many typically associate headaches and constipation with Mounjaro, Nikki has been lucky enought to suffer from zero side effects. Everything you need to know about fat jabs Weight loss jabs are all the rage as studies and patient stories reveal they help people shed flab at almost unbelievable rates, as well as appearing to reduce the risk of serious diseases. Wegovy – a modified version of type 2 diabetes drug Ozempic – and Mounjaro are the leading weight loss injections used in the UK. Wegovy, real name semaglutide, has been used on the NHS for years while Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is a newer and more powerful addition to the market. Mounjaro accounts for most private prescriptions for weight loss and is set to join Wegovy as an NHS staple this year. How do they work? The jabs work by suppressing your appetite, making you eat less so your body burns fat for energy instead and you lose weight. They do this my mimicking a hormone called GLP-1, which signals to the brain when the stomach is full, so the drugs are officially called GLP-1 receptor agonists. They slow down digestion and increase insulin production, lowering blood sugar, which is why they were first developed to treat type 2 diabetes in which patients' sugar levels are too high. Can I get them? NHS prescriptions of weight loss drugs, mainly Wegovy and an older version called Saxenda (chemical name liraglutide), are controlled through specialist weight loss clinics. Typically a patient will have to have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher, classifying them as medically obese, and also have a weight-related health condition such as high blood pressure. GPs generally do not prescribe the drugs for weight loss. Private prescribers offer the jabs, most commonly Mounjaro, to anyone who is obese (BMI of 30+) or overweight (BMI 25-30) with a weight-related health risk. Private pharmacies have been rapped for handing them out too easily and video calls or face-to-face appointments are now mandatory to check a patient is being truthful about their size and health. Are there any risks? Yes – side effects are common but most are relatively mild. Around half of people taking the drug experience gut issues, including sickness, bloating, acid reflux, constipation and diarrhoea. Dr Sarah Jarvis, GP and clinical consultant at said: 'One of the more uncommon side effects is severe acute pancreatitis, which is extremely painful and happens to one in 500 people.' Other uncommon side effects include altered taste, kidney problems, allergic reactions, gallbladder problems and hypoglycemia. Evidence has so far been inconclusive about whether the injections are damaging to patients' mental health. Figures obtained by The Sun show that, up to January 2025, 85 patient deaths in the UK were suspected to be linked to the medicines. She said: "Mounjaro is just simple. It's easy. You don't really need to think about it. You stop thinking about food, you are in calorie deficit anyway because you don't eat as much naturally. "My journey has been slow and steady, not rapid weight loss at all, but fairly consistent. When I started, I never ever thought I'd get to five stone loss, it's a momentous milestone." Her slimmer figure has given her the confidence boost to put herself out there, launching a TikTok page (@mumwithfunds) with finance, budgeting and Mounjaro tips for others. And she's not even had to change her eating habits either, still munching on takeaways every week. She said: "I actually have a second job in a Chinese takeaway on the weekends, so since starting this journey I've always had two Chinese takeouts per week at least and have still consistently lost weight. "I appreciate it might be why my weight loss is slower than others, I haven't tracked a single calorie. However, of course, my portion sizes are significantly smaller nowadays." She continued: "The judgement will always be there - especially me eating Chinese while being on Mounjaro. "You get told it's cheating and in some ways, some days, it does feel like cheating. How can I lose 5 stone and still have takeaway... all the time!? "But at the end of the day, everyone is on their own journey, and losing five stone has done wonders for my mental health, my self image, my confidence - and I would do it again just like this if I could. "I've recommended Mounjaro to everyone I know." 'Potential to kill' But although Kenidee's weight loss has left many very impressed, users should note that Mounjaro can have fatal consequences. Sun GP Dr Zoe Williams acknowledged that Mounjaro, which could soon be rolled out on the NHS, can save the lives of people with 'life-threatening levels of obesity.' But despite this, the NHS said: 'Never take an anti-obesity medicine if it has not been prescribed to you. "These types of medicines may not be safe for you and can cause serious side effects.' The drugs can be prescribed by a practitioner - such as a doctor, nurse or a pharmacist-independent prescriber. But increasingly, many have been buying them through online pharmacies without sufficient checks. Recently, figures from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency revealed fat jabs had been linked to 82 deaths across the UK. As a result, the family of a man from Burton upon Trent, Staffs, who died after taking Mounjaro, are now calling for a probe into the jab's "potential to kill."