Pendle teacher ready to share secrets of her success after shedding an incredible three stone in lockdown

While many of us have piled on the pounds during the Covid 19 lockdown, teacher Karen Crawshaw has managed to shed three stone.
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Although she started to lose weight at the end of January, Karen actually managed to shed two stone and two pounds during the lockdown period from March to July.

She credits healthy eating, cutting back on alcohol and walking for her success which inspired teacher Karen, who lives in Nelson, to train as a consultant for Slimming World and her classes begin next week.

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Karen, who turns 55 next week, said: "Walking has definitely been the key to success for me.

Teacher Karen Crawshaw before she lost three stoneTeacher Karen Crawshaw before she lost three stone
Teacher Karen Crawshaw before she lost three stone

"During lockdown I was out every day doing three mile walks. It wasn't hard work because we have so many lovely walks in our beautiful countryside.

"And now I can go out and walk for hours, I love it. I decided to train as a consultant because, while I have managed to lose weight in the past, it has always gone back on.

"Becoming a consultant will give me focus and incentive to keep it off."

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A teacher of RE and Health and Social Care at Rhyddings Business and Enterprise School in Oswaldtwistle Karen is also a former 'Redcoat' at Butlin's in Minehead so she will take to her role as a consultant with ease.

Karen has trained to become a Slimming World consultant after her weight loss successKaren has trained to become a Slimming World consultant after her weight loss success
Karen has trained to become a Slimming World consultant after her weight loss success

She said: "Obesity is becoming such a huge issue across the UK. When I first joined Slimming World as a member, I never dreamed that I would end up helping other people to lose weight but now I just can’t wait to get started.

"After losing three stone and completing my training, it’s a privilege for me to be able to pass on the experience,

insight and understanding that helped me, so that I can give my members the support they need to get to target, then to stay there.

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“Support is really the most important thing. It all starts with feeling that you’re not alone. I couldn’t have lost three stone without the weekly help, encouragement and understanding of my own consultant and group.

Karen dropped from a dress size 18 to a12 to 14 after losing three stoneKaren dropped from a dress size 18 to a12 to 14 after losing three stone
Karen dropped from a dress size 18 to a12 to 14 after losing three stone

"As someone who has lost weight myself I know the challenges people can face, which is why, along with the group, I will be there to support every one of my members all the way to their chosen target weight.

"Setting targets, sharing recipes and other ideas, and working together as a group to overcome challenges and celebrate success is so important to a successful journey. That’s why, at my group, there’ll be tons of support, encouragement and fun."

Karen, who has been nominated for a local Woman of the Year award, joined the Sliimming World class at Barrowford to lose weight in time for her son, Adam's wedding in August.

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Dropping from a dress size 18 to a 12 to 14 was just the boost Karen needed to look a million dollars as the mother of the groom. But the wedding has been postponed until May, 2021, and Karen, who has been married to her husband Steve for 31 years, has her outfit all ready for the big day.

Karen added: “Like a lot of slimmers, I had tried to lose weight so many times before by following other diets, but they were never sustainable because I’d always get tired of restricting what I ate.

"I thought I was destined to struggle with my weight for the rest of my life, but when I came to Slimming World it was different. I had never been able to say what weight I wanted to be. It didn’t feel like I was on a diet due to the foods that I could eat.

"The eating plan encourages you to eat lots of tasty, filling foods like pasta, rice, potatoes and lean meat and fish.

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"Therefore, you are never hungry and no foods are banned so there’s no deprivation. I couldn’t believe I’d found a way to lose weight without starving myself and still being able to have some of the ‘naughty foods’ that we all enjoy. You can still go out for meals and eat foods without other people realising you are changing your habits.

"In fact quite often people will say to me ‘can you really eat that?' "

Jen Blevins, who runs a Slimming World group in Burnley and manages Karen as a team developer, said: "“Slimming World consultants are chosen for their positive outlook and because they genuinely care about the health and happiness of others.

"With Karen’s experience of being a successful Slimming World member and her kind and warm personality and great sense of humour I just know that she’ll be an amazing support to members, cheering them all the way to their target weight.”

Karen’s Slimming World group will be held at Read and Simonstone Village Hall every Monday evening from Monday, October 5th. For more information or to join Karen’s group call her on 07878210114.

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