A Glasgow Royal Infirmary (GRI) nurse has shed more than six stone and feels happier than ever.
Granny Joanne Bell was struggling to keep her little ones entertained and realised something had to change. So the 44-year-old, from Kirkintilloch, reached out to weight management services after being referred from her GP.
The full-time staff nurse, who works in the medical high dependency unit at the GRI, has turned her life around after dropping from 17st 9lbs to 11st 5lbs.
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She has since noticed a positive change in her health and wellbeing. Joanne has praised the help she received from both NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) and Weight Watchers on her weight loss journey.
She said: “Initially, I was nervous about starting my weight loss journey but I knew something had to change. I was unable to play with my grandkids and children which was a huge factor in my journey and I was fed up getting breathless from walking short distances.
“The process of the referral was extremely quick and smooth. After being referred by my GP on the Tuesday and contacted by the weight management team on the Thursday, I had my Weight Watchers welcome pack by the Saturday.
“I didn’t hold out much hope in actually sticking to my plan with Weight Watchers and thought I would lose the usual few stone and then give up and put the weight back on, but this time it was completely different.”
Speaking on her role at the GRI, Joanne highlighted a number of benefits as a result of her weight loss and how this has impacted her work and home life.
“I have went from an XL uniform to a size small which is amazing. Working in a busy environment can be tough but since my weight loss, I never feel as tired during or after a shift as I did previously", she added.
“Joining the weight watchers community was one of the best decisions I have ever made. Everyone is extremely friendly and bounce ideas off each other to stay on track. My husband and son were also very supportive throughout my journey as they ate what I was eating to further motivate me.
“In September last year I ran a 5k and never in my life did I believe I would be able to do that."
Joanne offered additional advice to others who may be considering taking a positive step in relation to their health and weight, she added: “If you have a bad week, move on and have a plan for the week ahead.
“Don’t give up, everyone has bad weeks and bad months but just keep going. If you don’t lose anything for 4 weeks, keep going.
“The more you lose, the better you feel and more motivated you are. Having a weight loss plan and exercise go hand in hand but you don’t need a gym or to start running, walking just half an hour a day will benefit you massively and has helped transform my life.
“I would like to thank NHSGGC as well as my coach and mentor Lynne Smith who has supported me throughout my journey and helped me achieve me goals.”
Deputy Director of Public Health, Emilia Crighton, said: “Joanne is an inspiration and transformed her life through accessing services available and I would encourage anyone who has any health or weight concerns to visit Manage your weight- NHSGGC or call 0141 211 3379 (Monday – Friday, 8:00am – 4:00 pm).”
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