WHILE most people would be offended to be called a ‘loser’, three women from Cowdenbeath are over the moon to have been named the town’s ‘Greatest Losers’ of 2017.

That’s because Heather, Lyn and Caroline has lost a life-changing 15 1/2st between them to take the title, which is awarded to the members of the Cowdenbeath Slimming World group who have lost the most weight, and all feel fabulous as a result.

Lyn, who’s lost 6 stone, said: “There’s absolutely nothing wrong with being a loser when it feels this good! I feel like a new woman since losing weight – in fact, I look so different that people who I haven’t seen for a while often can’t believe I’m the same person.

"For me though it’s the change on the inside that’s been the greatest – I’m happier, healthier and much more confident now.”

The proud 46-year-old joined the Cowdenbeath group, which is run by Alun Fotheringham, in January 2016. She said: “Before I lost the weight I hated having my photo taken and whenever I saw pictures of myself I knew that my smile wasn’t real.

"My weight impacted on so many aspects of my life, from struggling to find clothes that I like to fit to not being able to do simple everyday tasks without feeling tired and out of breath.”

The ladies all agree that weight was also putting a huge strain on their health ranging from high blood pressure, chronic back pain and becoming breathless easily. People who are severely overweight, with a BMI above 30, are more likely to suffer from health problems like coronary heart disease, arthritis, diabetes and cancer. Obesity is linked to a reduction in life expectancy of between seven and nine years. In Scotland there has been an increase in the proportion of adults who are overweight or obese among both sexes (aged 16-64) since 1995, from 52% to 62%. Most of this increase was seen between 1995 and 2008, with figures remaining broadly stable since then.

After hearing about it from friends, Heather, Lyn & Caroline all decided to join their local Slimming World group at the Hill of Beath Club. Caroline said: “Walking through those doors was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, I was embarrassed about my size and scared that I might be the biggest person there. I needn’t have worried though, everyone there was so friendly especially my Consultant Alun and I was so relieved when I found out that my weight was confidential between me and him – I’d had visions of having to tell everyone how much I weighed!

“Since then I’ve made so many friends at the group and I honestly don’t think I could have done it without their support each week. They helped me with recipes and tips and if I was ever struggling they were always there to remind me why I’d wanted to lose weight in the first place and how far I’d come since first stepping through the doors.

"The ladies follow the club’s Food Optimising eating plan they say “people think slimming means going hungry, eating nothing but salad or obsessively counting every calorie you eat, but it’s not like that at all at Slimming World. We all love food and it’s never once felt like we were on ‘a diet’ – in fact, people are always surprised at how much food we have on our plate and can’t believe we are losing weight eating so much delicious food and without ever feeling hungry”.

Alun, who runs the Cowdenbeath Slimming World group, said: “The changes I’ve seen in all three of our Greatest Losers are incredible. I hope their success will inspire other people in Cowdenbeath who’d like to lose weight by forming new lifestyle habits and become happier and healthier to take action. There’s a warm welcome waiting at Slimming World and, just think, if you start today you could feel like a completely new person just like them.”

The Cowdenbeath group meets every Tuesday at 3.30, 5.30 & 7.30pm at the Hill of Beath Club. To join call Alun on 07501 917826 or pop along.