Kirkcaldy woman’s new lease of life after losing almost 8-stones in weight

Courtney Fleming shed 7st 11lbs, and made the final four in Slimming’s Worlds national Woman of the Year competition.

She celebrated her achievement with double Olympic boxing champion Nicola Adams, who praised the dedication behind her success and was ‘blown away’ by her transformation.

Courtney was one of just 36 women to secure a spot at the semi-finals which were held at the organisation’s head office in Derbyshire.

She slimmed from 19st 6.5lbs to 11st 9.5lbs and was voted into the competition by fellow members of her Templehall group. She said: “Before joining Slimming World, I felt trapped by my weight. My confidence was so low and I was constantly worrying about my weight. It affected my health and stopped me from living life the way I wanted to.

“I knew I wanted things to be different, I just needed the right help me get there. I wanted to make lasting changes to the way I eat and live, and being part of a group gave me the support and accountability I was looking for.

“It was when I was rejected from getting life insurance when I was trying to buy my first home with my partner because my BMI was too high, that I realised something had to change. I joined Slimming World hoping to lose weight, but I gained so much more, like buying my first home, getting my life back and being more social and active – it was the best decision I’ve ever made.”

Her first week on the new eating plan saw her lose 6½lbs.

“I was over the moon. I was still enjoying meals like, burgers, pasta and sticky chicken, but just cooked them in a healthier way,” she said. “I started making small, manageable swaps, that soon became second nature, like choosing leaner meat and using 1-cal cooking spray instead of oil. Seeing the results on the scales was encouraging, but when my friends and family started noticing the difference, it motivated me to keep going.”

Courtney says the support of her Slimming World group was invaluable.

“There were weeks when I doubted myself, especially in the beginning, but the other members and my Consultant Lynne hwere amazing. The support and encouragement I received each week gave me the confidence to keep going. I always come away with new ideas. I learned so much – not just about healthy eating, but about changing the way I think about food too.”

Courtney also embraced a more active lifestyle, and started by playing badminton once a week.

“Now I love walking everywhere and do weighted hoola hoop workouts. It’s boosted my confidence and has had a positive impact on my mental wellbeing too.”

Nicola Adams, who made history as the first woman to win an Olympic boxing gold medal for Team GB, praised Courtney's achievement.

She said: "The commitment and dedication it must have taken to lose nearly 8st is remarkable. Success doesn't happen overnight, whether in sport or in life, and she’s proof of what can be achieved when you stay focused on your goal. Reaching the national semi-finals is a fantastic achievement and Courtney should feel enormously proud of how far she's come. She's proof that small steps and a positive mindset can lead to life-changing results."

Slimming World’s Templehall group meets in the Scouts Hall, Dunearn Drive.