Pleasley bus driver celebrates after dropping three dress sizes in a year
Sonia Edmunds, a bus driver for more than 20 years, struggled to keep her weight where she wanted, especially after having children.
Her bus driving job caused quick weight gain and swollen ankles.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdDiabetes and other health problems were also a worry for Sonia, and despite trying a variety of different diets, she always ended up putting the weight back on.
Sonia gained more than three stone in around five years.
After finding out her daughter also wanted to lose weight, Sonia turned to Slimming World.At the start of her sessions back in November 2019, Sonia was sceptical it would work because of her previous failures at dieting.
However, after her first group meeting, she became inspired by her fellow members and their weight loses.She said: “I was shy before starting, but due to the friendliness and warmth of the group, I immediately felt welcome, unjudged and at home.
"Everyone seemed to have had similar struggles, so I felt like I could relate and we could inspire each other, which we did.“When lockdown came, we weren’t sure how we’d continue with our weight loss and support, but then Zoom was introduced.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad"This felt even more personal and it was as if we’d known the people we were talking to much longer than we actually had.”Although her weight fluctuated through lockdown, Sonia managed to pull through and ultimately lose more than a stone.
Sonia said: “We were advised by the group to find foods just as delicious as the ones we ate previously, but healthier versions.
"And to my surprise, they were just as nice. Maybe even nicer. I couldn’t believe my eyes when I looked at the scales for the first time to see three pounds off, and it was then that I realized I’d made a great decision coming to Slimming World."In one year, Sonia has gone down three dress sizes – wearing a size 12 for the first time in 30 years.
She has now chosen to become a Slimming World consultant to inspire others and has now launched her own group in Mansfield Woodhouse.