By Andrew Brown Stand Up For Southport
A mum-of-two with type 1 diabetes has transformed her life after losing nearly a third of her body weight through Slimming World.
Southport property consultant Rebecca Gaskell is sharing her story during Diabetes Awareness Month after shedding an impressive four and a half stone in just 20 months after joining the Slimming World group run by local consultant Dee Wright.
The 32-year-old, married to Matty and mum of Arabella, in Year 5, and Myles, who is in pre-school, is loving having more energy, eating tastier meals and sleeping better than she used to.
Her medication levels have reduced too, having lived with Type 1 diabetes since she was young.
She said: “I’ve lived with Type 1 diabetes for 24 years and have always believed I would struggle with my weight due to having this autoimmune disease.
“I realised there was more to life than just being unhappy with myself and having this condition that dictated my life for me.
“Having never met Dee, I decided to walk through the doors to her group in October 2022 and I never believed by doing this it would change my life in every aspect.
“My Insulin amounts have reduced by over 70% since I have lost weight.
“I’m now wearing size 10 clothing, which I am loving.
“This change to my physical and mental well being has only been made possible by walking into a group of strangers who become your biggest supporters.”
Southport Slimming World consultant Dee Wright said: “Rebecca is a real inspiration through what she has achieved.
Southport property consultant Rebecca Gaskell, who has type 1 diabetes, has transformed her life after losing nearly a third of her body weight through a Slimming World with consultant Dee Wright
“Her Type 1 diabetes, onset from an early age, cannot be reversed like type 2 diabetes.
“Since joining our Thursday morning group in October 2022 with a glimmer of hope that losing weight might be possible, she has shed an incredible four and a half stone in just 20 months and has transformed her life.
“Her HBA1C has gone down from 88 to 38, she has more energy, is sleeping much better and enjoys clothes shopping.
“Earlier this year she completed the Star Trekk fundraising walk as we raised money for Queenscourt Hospice with other members from our group. There are lots of fun ways to get more exercise into your life!”
“Over my eight years as a Slimming World Consultant we have supported many with type 1 and type 2 diabetes to achieve a healthier lifestyle and in some cases members with type 2 diabetes have been able to put the type 2 into remission.
“This Diabetes Awareness Month, these are some of the messages that really need to get out. People need to be more aware of some of the myths out there, and the levels of support that are available through Slimming World.
Southport property consultant Rebecca Gaskell, who has type 1 diabetes, has transformed her life after losing nearly a third of her body weight through a Slimming World with consultant Dee Wright
“By 2025, obesity is set to become the biggest cause of certain cancers in the UK. Sixty per cent of the UK population is overweight and this figure is rising. There is no better time than right now for people to start thinking about changing their lifestyles and making better food choices and Slimming World is here to help people with making change with our fabulous eating plan called food optimising, encouragement to be more active and through mind set change.”
By helping people to lose weight and live a healthier lifestyle, Slimming World can dramatically reduce a member’s chances of developing type 2 diabetes and can help members to manage their condition.
On average, our members lose a clinically significant 5% within the first three months which means that they already start seeing health benefits such as less joint pain, improved mobility, less breathlessness, better sleep, reduced blood pressure and improved management and reduced medication for conditions like type 2 diabetes.
Members following Slimming World’s healthy eating plan enjoy a diet of filling and satisfying everyday foods – including fruit, vegetables, eggs, poultry, lean meat, fish, beans, pulses, pasta, rice and potatoes – which can be tailored to suit individual needs, tastes and budget.
Southport property consultant Rebecca Gaskell, who has type 1 diabetes, has transformed her life after losing nearly a third of her body weight through a Slimming World with consultant Dee Wright
All members with diabetes are provided with a booklet Eating well with diabetes – a guide for Slimming World members. This booklet includes information on the healthy eating steps to help manage blood glucose levels, blood fats and regulate weight recommended by Diabetes UK, and explains how Slimming World’s Food Optimising system can help them achieve these steps. All Slimming World Consultants are provided with information on how best to support members who have diabetes.
Members are recommended to talk to their diabetes care team about joining Slimming World and their plans to lose weight and become more active. Their care team will be able to offer specialist advice on diet, medication and how to manage blood glucose levels – Food Optimising can be adapted to help members achieve these recommendations.
Slimming World Southport with Dee meets at St Simon and St Jude’s Church on Old Park Lane in Southport on:
Thursdays – 9.30am; 4pm; 5.30pm; 7pm.
Fridays – 9.30am; 11am.
For more details os support available please visit the Slimming World Southport With Dee page on Facebook
For more details about Diabetes UK visit: www.diabetes.org.uk
Do you have a story for Stand Up For Southport? Please message Andrew Brown via Facebook here or email me at: [email protected]
