Woman sees 12st weight loss after taking up trampolining and 'bouncing herself slim'
A woman has revealed how she bounced herself slim, seeing an incredible 12st (76kg) weight loss after taking up trampolining.
At her heaviest Amanda Murray, 48, from Cirencester, Gloucestershire weighed 22st 5lbs (142kg) and struggled to fit into a size 26, but after vowing to overhaul her diet and fitness regime, she is now a healthier 10st 10lbs (64kg) and a trim size 12.
It was the desire to be an active mum that first prompted Murray to adopt new healthier living practices, which saw her swap crisps, chocolate and ready meals for fresh fruit and vegetables and sign up for trampolining classes.
"I had been big all my life, and after having the kids it made me realise I needed to do something about it," Murray, who is a full-time carer for her son, Andrew, 25, explains.
"It was difficult but you just have to keep persevering and carry on with it."
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Murray originally kick-started her weight loss regime by taking diet pills for two years, which were prescribed to her by her GP, but thought it was "taking too long" to shift the pounds.
Having lost a few stone, she managed to maintain a weight of 18 stone (114kg) for seven years before joining Slimming World in 2016, which saw her lose a further 9st (57kg).
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But she credits taking up trampolining with helping to boost and maintain her weight loss.
The mum-of-two says she was initially nervous about going to a trampolining class, fearing she was going to be "the only big person there", but now believes the decision to attend has "changed my life".
"It was a nice activity to do," she says. "I was just bouncing around to music."
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When the class she initially attended eventually stopped, Murray purchased a fold-up trampoline and two workout DVDs to continue her fitness regime at home.
She now also does personal training twice a week and participates in TRX too – an exercise which helps you work out your upper body, lower body and core.
As well as upping her exercise levels, Murray completely overhauled her diet.
Before losing weight, she says her food intake would consist of takeaways, ready meals and sweet treats, but now she fills her fridge with fruit, vegetables and lean meats.
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Not only has her weight loss boosted her self-esteem, she has also managed to reverse the diabetes she was previously living with.
"My life has completely changed," she says. "I feel a lot better now that I don't have to look for clothes in a size 24-26."
While she describes her journey as "rewarding", at times she also says it has been "difficult".
"It has been up and down," she explains. "One week you can put weight on and the next you can lose it."
Though she is thrilled to now be able to wear a size 12, Murray admits she would still like to lose a bit more weight – around a stone to a stone and a half.
"Sometimes I still look in the mirror and think I am not slim enough but other times I think I am," she explains.
"But I know I have done brilliantly and even in the moments where I have struggled, I have persevered and not given up."
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Diet before
Breakfast - Sugary cereal with extra sugar
Lunch - Ready meal
Dinner - Pot noodles, ready meals, takeaways
Snacks - Biscuits, sweets and chocolate
Diet after
Breakfast - Greek yoghurt with berries
Lunch - Salad with protein
Dinner - Vegetables, pasta and meat
Snacks - Fruit
Additional reporting SWNS.
