A woman from Newark has said that she has 'gained her life back' after losing six stone in less than a year. Laura-Jo Webster was determined to lose the weight after she caught coronavirus in 2020 and was struggling with long-Covid.
The 45-year-old was told she would need bariatric surgery to help her with the effects of the disease. Laura-Jo decided that was not the right option for her and so re-joined Weight Watchers in an effort to prove doctors wrong.
The insurance consultant joined Fernwood Weight Watchers in August 2021, the same group she went to in 2001 where she had previously lost six stone. Laura-Jo said: "I re-joined following that horrific hospital appointment and off course, post COVID, had to become a fully paid up member.
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"Kate [the Weight Watchers coach] welcomed me so warmly and the group was full of other members I’d clerked with over the years and had got to know as members so I immediately felt ‘at home’."
Laura-Jo weighted 24 stone 2 lbs when she joined last year. She goes every week with her dad, who is a gold member, and has made new friends.
She said: "I love my group and genuinely look forward to my weekly night out with my friends, regardless of the result. I am not the lowest weight I have ever been, but am the most successful I’ve ever been in terms of weight loss.
"I’m struggling a little bit at the moment but am determined to overcome it and keep going. Having filled my 0-6 stone weight loss chart, this morning I’ve ordered one to take me to 12 stone. I know this isn’t going to be quick, but I know it’s possible."
Laura-Jo now weights 18 stone and feels that it has given her life back. She added: "I look at how poorly I was a year ago and can’t quite compute in my head who that person was. I now walk miles, a year ago I couldn’t walk to the end of the street.
"I swim at least 5 times a week, do two aqua aerobics classes and an aerobics class. However, I haven’t really gone back to the gym just occasionally if the weather is too bad for walking outside."
Since joining Weight Watchers last August, Laura-Jo has left the job that made her unhappy. When asked what has changed since joining the group, Laura-Jo said: "[I have] gained back my life and can yes to more.
"Went to Legoland this week and said yes to all the rides, got in and out of them all without any real issues. Last year most would have been a no."
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