A SLIMMER who lost an incredible six stone has shared how I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here helped her come up with her own foodie challenge.
Stephanie Park, of St Asaph, lost the weight over 18 months.
The bar and bistro manager at Thornley Leisure Parks in Llanddulas, who joined Slimming World after a difficult break-up, has since maintained her target weight for two years.
She also continues to attend her group in St Asaph.
Stephanie said: "There are so many things I couldn’t have done before losing weight with Slimming World. I’m now the fittest I’ve ever been and feel so liberated to be able to eat so much real food and still maintain my dream weight."
When I'm A Celeb 2020 came to Gwrych Castle, Abergele, in November / December, Stephanie made a food challenge inspired by the success celebrities achieved in the trials.
"We've always joked, in our group, that we all love rice and beans," she said.
"I learnt that beans are high in protein so they will keep me feeling fuller for longer, so I tried to create meals involving rice and a variety of beans.
"The amount of stars that the celebrities won in their Bushtucker trials then determined how many other food-likes I could incorporate into my meals and snacks.
"I love that I can eat so much with food optimising and still live my life, going out with friends, meals with family and have drinks in the sun."
Other members also joined in her challenge.
Stephanie added: "The help and support from the group is a big part of not only me losing the weight but keeping it off for life too.”
The biggest challenge that Stephanie has faced during her weight loss journey has been seeing herself in the same way that everyone else sees her.
“It’s taken some time to adjust to seeing a thinner me when I look in the mirror,” she added.
Jade, Stephanie’s weight loss consultant, said: "Stephanie joined me as one of my very first members as a Slimming World consultant. I’ve been by her side every step of the way on her weight loss journey, and to see the six stones transformation in her is absolutely incredible; not just in a physical way, but as a person too.
“She was a quiet wallflower sat in group, who then blossomed into this confident and happy person, offering tips and advice to other members who may be struggling.
£Her smile lights up the room and she oozes passion and enthusiasm for her food optimised lifestyle.
“As the weight dropped off in chunks, Stephanie would tell us about the new clothes she could wear, the bikinis she had bought for her holidays around the world; this whole new person emerged. She then introduced activity into her healthy lifestyle, raising money for Cancer Research UK by running the local Race For Life, and she even climbed a volcano in Bali to watch the sunrise.
"It is such a rewarding role to be able to help change the lives of people who have been unhappy in their own skin.
"I couldn’t be more proud of Stephanie.”
Readers interested in finding out more about losing weight with Slimming World, visit www.slimmingworld.co.uk and find your nearest group.
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