A WOMAN from Penarth who lost a huge amount of weight in lockdown has explained how it has changed her life, and gave her a purpose during a tough period.

Mother of three Louise Adams, aged 31, decided in January that she wanted to lose weight due to concerns over her health, and because she wanted to get in better shape for a holiday she has planned for May next year.

While she had intentions to lose weight as quickly as possible, she has stunned her Slimming World friends by not gaining any weight since she joined, and by dropping more than four stone.

Mrs Adams, who works at Penarth Labour Club, says the effect on her life has been “unbelievable”, both physically and mentally.

Penarth Times: Louise before and afterLouise before and after

“My 11-year-old daughter asked if we could get matching bikinis for our holiday next year and that’s when my idea to lose so much weight really started,” she explained.

“I was nervous about joining Slimming World, but it’s one of the best decisions I've ever made. People there are so supportive. Everyone is on the same journey and the backing I got was amazing.”

After a brilliant start, the pandemic hit and the UK went into lockdown in March, and Mrs Adams’ weekly visits to Slimming World suddenly came to a halt.

“It was a tough period and I’d had a bit of a dip at the time – I’d let my hair down for my birthday,” she said. “I thought about stopping (dieting) but knew I had to carry on, for my health as much as anything.

“I have had problems with asthma all my life, I often got anxiety if I ever left the house without my inhaler – so much so I had asthma attacks with the panic.

“Now I’m planning on starting to run to improve my lungs, and I rarely have to use my inhaler. It’s unbelievable considering where I was a few months ago.”

The Slimming World sessions have continued throughout the pandemic via Zoom calls, which Mrs Adams has attended each week.

Talking more on how she dropped from 14.5 stone to less than 10 stone, she said: “I dieted often before January but always seemed to slip back to eating unhealthy foods.

“This time around, with the help of the sessions, it’s become a way of life. I’ve been very strict with myself. You’re allowed up to 15 sins a day, but I’ve rarely hit that. I think some people see they can afford to have five more sins and even if they don’t actually want to eat anymore, they’ll make sure they reach 15, but I’ve tried my best not to do that.

“I find now that when I do eat too much I feel uncomfortable. I realised I probably always felt like that but had got so used to it, I didn’t recognise what I was doing to myself.

“I still attend the sessions every week and they’ve been really supportive with an after plan to make sure I can maintain the weight. It’s great to be where I want to be.

“It’s given me a focus through lockdown, and I think it’s rubbed off on the kids. They’re often talking to me about how they can eat more healthily and lead a more nutritious life.

“It’s meant that what could have been a really difficult time for us has been quite positive in way.”