Angela Schofield had tried all kinds of slimming methods over the years but found her weight yo-yoed throughout her life.
The 54-year-old, from Ashton-under-Lyne, didn’t like what she saw in the mirror and constantly hid behind baggy clothing.
The grandmother-of-three decided enough was enough back in July 2023 and signed up to slimming group Beeweighed after hearing about it through a colleague.
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But the A&E receptionist took a different approach to her weight loss journey – choosing not to calorie count or follow any strict diets.
Instead, Angela purchased a £6 weighted hula hoop off Vinted and watched as the weight dropped off – so far losing 2st 3lbs.
“I don’t do any calorie counting because I couldn’t afford it with the cost of living,” she told the Manchester Evening News.
“I couldn’t afford the apps, I know it’s not that expensive, but it is when you’re thinking whether to get my grandson a pack of yogurts or not.
“I thought, I’ll do this without, and managed to get myself a weighted hula hoop. With that, I didn’t need to join a gym and could do it no matter what the weather. I spend five to 10 minutes a day doing that. I also try to walk a bit more.”
Angela, who regularly works night shifts at a local A&E, was 17st 10lbs when she first signed up to the slimming group and fit into size 24 clothes.
The gran believes working night shifts, eating out of boredom and getting takeaways up to three times a week contributed to her weight gain.
“(The fitness drive) got me thinking about whether I really wanted (food) or whether I was just having it because it was there,” she added.
“Now I’ll go and have some water first and go back half an hour later to see if I still want it.”
Angela says cutting down on alcohol has also been a massive part of her weight loss success. “I still have alcohol,” she added. “I will hold my hands up.
“I love my white wine. I could easily go through a bottle in an evening, have a glass with my tea. Now I don’t bother unless I go out. I also try and be more organised planning meals.
“It’s just things like that which have slightly changed. It hasn’t been easy, it has been hard. Old habits and routines are hard to break.”
Though Angela still wants her weight to drop to the 14stone region, she says she’s ‘ecstatic’ with her journey so far.
“[My weight] affected my mood,” she added. “I didn’t want to go out. I was so low every time I looked in the mirror. I didn’t like what I saw and my clothing was getting bigger and bigger – then you find yourself hiding in the clothing.
“I feel amazing now. It’s the simple things like not struggling to put a pair of socks on or painting my toenails. I was so ecstatic when I could do it myself.
“I’ve reached my target weight but I wanted to do it in small stages. I want to get to the 14 stone range by April 20 – I’ve got Ladies Day and a lovely red dress I’d like to get a bit looser.”
Lynda Leadbetter, owner of Greater Manchester and Cheshire slimming group Beeweighed, which also offers national Zoom sessions, said: “Angela is absolutely crushing her weight loss goals and thoroughly enjoying the meetings led by our fantastic leader, Mel.
“Mel expressed how Angela plays a significant role in the group and she couldn’t be prouder of her achievements.”
Robert Johnson is a UK-based business writer specializing in finance and entrepreneurship. With an eye for market trends and a keen interest in the corporate world, he offers readers valuable insights into business developments.
