Ipswich woman who lost six stone to get her knee surgery done says the weight loss has given her a new life.
Pauline Haynes used to work as a nurse before her knee problems kicked off, and she was not able to work anymore.
Doctors said that she needed to lose 10 per cent of her body weight to get a knee replacement.
The 67-year-old woman said: “I've always been sort of overweight and had battles with my weight.
“When I was a nurse, I was running around all day long. After some time, my right knee started causing problems.
"Eventually, I wasn't able to work anymore. When I was at home, I felt like I'd lost my identity. I was rather depressed and just ate more.”
READ MORE: Ipswich mum opens new Slimming World support group
After joining the Ipswich Slimming World in 2019, Ms Haynes managed to lose six stone and has recently had her knee surgery done.
She learned about the group from the NHS and decided to try this free programme out.
READ MORE: Ipswich mum and son live their best lives after losing 9 stone
She said: “I thought, I’m losing nothing. It’s free, let’s just see. After I joined, I just couldn't believe how easy it was.
“It has become my way of life now. I love everything about Slimming World, including my group. I wouldn’t be where I am without them.”
READ MORE: ‘I didn't want to die’: Ipswich woman lost over 4 stone after having a heart attack
Ms Haynes still attends the Ipswich Slimming World group every week, as she does not want to “go back down that road again”.
The woman, who started her journey weighing more than 19 stone, added: “Being overweight affected not only my physical health but also my well-being and my mental health. Now, after losing all the weight, I am doing very well.
“I've missed out on a lot, but this has given me a new life.”
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