Super slimmer sheds 11 stone

Jokes made at the expense of mother-in-laws may be a favourite for comedians but they don’t often go down well with the intended target.

But comments directed at Shropshire’s Ann Poole by her son’s wife were just the kickstart she needed to change her life and lose more than 11 stone.

Ann, of Marton Drive in Wellington, had been overweight for most of her adult life but that was to change after her son paid her a visit from Scotland in August 2004.

Over dinner one evening her daughter-in-law made some hurtful comments about her size and diet.

“It upset me so much that I decided at that very moment I was going to join Slimming World,” said Ann.

She discovered that there was a group in Leegomery that very evening and joined.

The following May she paid a visit to Scotland for the first time since joining the group and gave her family a complete surprise.

She had not told me them of her successful battle to lost her excess weight and walked in 8st 4lb lighter.

The determined mother and grandmother continued to lose weight and in January of this year with a loss of 11st 7lb she reached her target and was shortlisted for a top slimming award.

Now she has trained to be a consultant and has taken over the Leegomery group.

“I cannot praise Slimming World enough and I am very exited about this new venture,” said Ann who was named as the UK’s ninth greatest loser earlier this year.

And it proved just as much of an amazing journey for the woman who had prompted her campaign.

“My daughter-in-law was so impressed with my weight loss that she joined her local group and has now lost four stone. She too trained to be a consultant and is running a very successful group in Scotland.

“It’s marvellous, I am very proud of her. I also wish to thank her for the comments she made that night. Without them I would never have discovered the wonders of Slimming World.”

Anyone wishing to join Ann’s group can contact her (01952) 411566 or 07971303773.

By Tracey O’Sullivan