A 29-year-old Glasgow woman who dropped six dress sizes after joining an NHS funded weight-loss scheme has told how online support stopped her piling the pounds back on during lockdown.

Lindsey Kinloch says her weight battle began at the age of 18 when she had surgery to treat a foot and ankle deformity which left her unable to exercise.

At her heaviest Linsdey, who lives in Stepps, weighed 15st 3lb, dangerously overweight for her 4ft 8inch frame.

She suffers from the genetic condition pseudohypoparathyroidism, which affects height and also causes learning difficulties.

After her blood pressure soared and she started experiencing breathlessness Linsey decided to try to lose weight and while initially successful she was worried about being able to sustain it.

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Her GP referred her to a local group run by WW, (formerly Weight Watchers) which is funded by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.

Lindsey admits that the journey from high-calorie fast food and takeaways to healthy meals made from scratch wasn’t easy but she persevered and now weighs a much healthier 10st 11lb and says she is delighted she can still enjoy her favourite tipple of malt whisky.

Glasgow Times:

She said: “I have struggled with my weight from the age of 18 or 19 when I had a procedure to treat my foot and ankle deformity. This reduced my mobility to almost zero and post op I was in a wheelchair to get around. 

“In 2018 I had a second procedure as due to mobility issues I was using a wheelchair and my health was rapidly deteriorating.

"I wanted to try to improve my health but my motivation never came until January 2019 when I had high blood pressure concerns and when I checked my weight I was 15 stone 13lb. Being only 4ft 8 I could not afford to be carrying this extra weight. 

"My GP decided to refer me to WW and I wans't sure this was going to be for me, but I decided to give it ago.”

Lindsey says she was nervous about attending group workshops because of her disabilities.

She said: “I was used to mixing in restricted circles, so the thought of attending a new workshop with lots of people I didn’t know made me nervous, but I had nothing to worry about as the coach Lesley Park made me feel welcome and all the other members quickly made me feel part of the community. 

“I have never regretted that choice I made joining and it’s been the best thing I have done, as its for me. 

“It’s not been easy I’m very surprised at how well I have done. 

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“I used to eat without any thoughts to portion sizes, I liked takeaways and loved cake.

"I now enjoy including different food and drinks and love cooking fresh healthy meals and get meal ideas from my app. I enjoy trying different whisky and one of my favourites is Dalmore and it's great to know I can still enjoy a wee dram and still lose weight. 

“I used to wear a size 24 but now wearing a size 12, and its great clothes shopping."

Linsey says she was nervous her good habits would slip when lockdown kicked in and her local group workshops stopped.

She said: “Thankfully, WW are now running virtual workshops, and make sure I attend every week. 

“My advice to anyone trying to lose weight would be that there is no quick fix so be proud of every small loss as everyone’s journey is different, listen to your body more and take time for you if you need it.”