Ex-councillor who shed two stone says weight loss ‘changed my life’

A former Coventry councillor who was suffering from high blood pressure and aching knees said losing weight has changed her life. Lynnette Kelly said she piled on the pounds due to ‘stress and isolation’ during Covid-19. Lynnette lost two-and-a-half stone after signing up for Slimming World.

After visiting her GP, the former Coventry City Council member was spurred into action after being told that losing weight would avoid the need for any medication for her health problems. She said: “I went to the doctors and said my knees were aching and my blood pressure was on the high side and asked for advice. His reply was that losing a bit of weight would make a big difference and could avoid the need for medication.

And guess what – he was right. Since losing the weight my knees are much better, and my blood pressure has been fine.” READ MORE:‘I was morbidly obese but lost 10 stone and can now pull 40-tonne truck through weight training passion’

Lynnette got to her target weight and stayed there for nearly three years, but suffered a setback after Covid struck. Like many others, the ‘stress and isolation’ affected her well-being which meant she piled back on the pounds. She said: “I went back to Slimming World earlier this year, and am now almost back to my target weight, and I feel so much better about myself.

And I’ve been able to lose the weight because of the support from my Slimming World consultant and the other group members.” Lynnette added that losing weight was easier than she had expected. She said: “The Slimming World food optimising system meant I wasn’t hungry between meals, so I snacked less without really trying.

No food was banned, but I was encouraged to eat plenty of their ‘free’ foods.

Lynette Kelly before signing up for Slimming WorldLynette Kelly before signing up for Slimming World

“I could still go out for meals with friends and family, and Slimming World’s magazine and books helped me to make healthy choices while I was out.” Lynnette has also started exercising regularly and said she was overwhelmed by the support of her fellow group members. Lynnette will not be returning to council duties any time soon as she has decided to become a Slimming World consultant and help others to make progress on their weight loss journey. She will be relaunching the Slimming World group at Eastern Green Village Hall in Coventry.

Groups will take place on Thursday evenings at 5.30pm and 7pm, starting on Thursday, December 29. Lynnette said: “Anyone who wants to find out more about losing with Slimming World is welcome to come along and find out more.” Want more of the latest news from Coventry?

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