SHELLY MANN shares her inspiring weight loss story:

It is twelve years now since I had a kidney transplant, giving a kidney to my father. Each year, when the transplant co-ordinator visit came around, I would dread getting on the scales, as my weight was going up and up each year.

I felt as though I was getting more unhealthy as each yearly visit came round. That is when I decided, in March 2019, that something needed to be done.

I was daunted by the thought of getting weighed in a group of strangers; that scared me more than the transplant did some nine years earlier. But I couldn’t have been more wrong - everyone in my Slimming World group in Haworth couldn’t have been more welcoming nor supportive.

I knew I was overweight at 14 stone 4lbs, but I was determined that the next transplant check-up would be the best, now being in a healthier place.

My father, David, is a retired firefighter and before renal failure happened, he was a very active man. Now we are both living a very healthy lifestyle.

He can now go swimming, take holidays abroad (under normal circumstances) and drink as much liquid as he pleases without being restricted, and importantly he is not having to spend three days a week having a dialysis machine keeping him alive.

But most importantly I’ve got my dad back. I did this for MY health, I had helped get my dad back to better health, and it was time I did the same for myself.

Being overweight comes with other difficulties, and now living with one kidney, I had to be as healthy as I could be, so no other medical issues occurred.

People do live lives with only one kidney with even knowing, but my body was used to having two so I had to look after myself, and that started with my weight loss journey.

Each week I attended my Slimming World group and the weight dropped off and I felt the benefits grow with each weigh-in.

I went down three dress sizes and even my feet were thinner! I have continued to eat the Slimming World way and now can proudly say I have lost 4st 4lbs. My confidence has increased and I can now wear a skirt with pride. Having the support from my group and consultant Andrea, who is on hand 24/7, has been invaluable and I would recommend it to anyone.

Andrea, a Slimming World consultant with 28 years experience, said: “ Shelley is an inspiration to all she meets, helping those who have kidney problems and the related weight issues. I couldn’t be more proud of her.”

Andrea runs Slimming World groups in Denholme, Oakworth, Haworth and Keighley. Call her on 07979 505384.