Mum delighted to be named Greatest Loser

A mother-of-two was named the Greatest Loser 2018 at a Slimming World group after shedding 5st 11lb.

Shannon Cree, 30, is a member of a Slimming World group that meets at the Mount Church of England Primary School, Newark, where she received the title for losing the most weight.

She has gone from 14st 13lb and a size 18, to 9st 4.5lb and a size ten.

“There is absolutely nothing wrong with being a loser when it feels this good,” she said.

“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 am the same person.”

She joined the group two years ago after her mother suggested it. Shannon said walking through the doors was one of the hardest things she had ever done.

“I was embarrassed about my size and scared that I might be the biggest person there,” she said.

“I needn’t have worried though. Everyone there was friendly and I was so relieved when I found my weight was confidential. I had visions of having to tell everyone how much I weighed.”

Shannon said she made many friends at the group who helped her with recipes and tips. If she was ever struggling they were there to remind her why she wanted to lose weight and how far she had come.

“For me, it is the change on the inside that has been the greatest,” she said.

“I am happier, healthier and much more confident.”

'I hope her success will inspire other people in Newark'

Shannon lost weight by following the club’s Food Optimi-sing plan and by swapping takeaways for Slimming World kebabs and roast dinners.

“People think slimming means going hungry, eating nothing but salad or obsessively counting every calorie you eat, but I love food and it’s never once felt like I was on a diet. In fact, people are always surprised at how much food I have on my plate,” Shannon said.

Kelly Byrne, who runs the group, said the changes in Shannon were incredible.

“I hope her success will inspire other people in Newark, who would like to lose weight by forming new lifestyle habits and become happier and healthier, to take action,” she said.

Shannon goes forward to a national competition, with the Greatest Losers from Slimming World’s 18,000 groups in the UK and Ireland. The overall winner will receive £3,000.

“I would love to win but I didn’t lose weight to win a competition,” Shannon said.

“I wanted to feel healthier and better about myself and I have definitely done that. I feel great and that is priceless.”