Slimming World consultant celebrates five amazing years touching hearts and changing lives.
Andi Denyer Willis started her weight loss journey at 19 stone 3 after struggling with her weight her whole life, seeing a dietician from as young as 7, being in adult-sized clothes at age 10.
Even having slim fast for breakfast whilst at primary school. In England 1 in 3 children leaving primary school are overweight, with 1 in 5 living with obesity.
Andi says: "As a teenager I got diagnosed with polycystic ovaries, that was it! That was my reason why I struggled with my weight so much.
"There wasn’t much I could do about it. That’s what I told myself anyway. I did try many different diets as although I thought I had a valid reason for being overweight I was never truly happy.
"I gave calorie counting a try and I lost 5 stone!! Just in time for my wedding. But it was hard, I often felt hungry and become shaky and faint. It definitely wasn’t healthy for me and I really couldn’t maintain it.
"After my third child in 2018 I was nearly back to were I started at 17 stone I hated every picture that was taken of me and my beautiful little family. I was missing out on making memories on our first holiday.
"A few days after my holiday I joined Slimming World, I couldn’t believe how much I could eat and still lose weight, I’ve always had a big appetite and never really felt full. This was perfect for me and it actually worked!!
"I lost 4 stone in six months and honestly felt better than I had ever done before. Making new healthier habits, learning new ways to shop, cook and eat. But the best thing for me was seeing my family eating better, my husband even lost weight along side me. I went on to lose 6-and-a-half stone in total.
"I have three children and one of my fears was them struggling with their weight like I did. I can safely say with the support of Slimming World and the knowledge I now have on healthy eating I am confident they should grow up with healthy eating habits.
"I became a Slimming World consultant November 2019, because I found something I was good at and I wanted to help people and their families feel good, build confidence and get healthy. They say when you find a job that you love you never work a day in your life. I can tell you that’s true . I now get to support my incredible members to achieve their weight loss dreams.
"My groups are in Havant on a Tuesday evening and Bedhampton on a Friday morning.
"I am also a Team Developer in the Portsmouth area which means I can support my team of consultants to motivate, inspire, touch hearts and change lives of all their members.
"With childhood obesity on the rise (4.5% increase in ages 4-5 and 10-11 since pre-pandemic) which is pretty scary statistics. With primary school children myself I’m keen to help them learn the healthy ways of eating which I strongly believe Slimming World has helped me with and can help many others with our Family Affair booklet and app support we offer.
"Come along to one of our fun, friendly and supportive groups to kick start your very own weight loss goals or you may already be a member and would love a new career? Why not find out more at one of our opportunity events."