27/10/2025
An amazing beautiful lady x
** A personal story shared by our amazing vic who is part of our radcliffe groups**
Sharon asked me if I had a photo from last year and compare it to now, this was a couple of weeks ago, i started to look through photos, there aren't many of me because I hated the way I looked and to be honest looking at them upset me. Anyway today Im feeling brave!! The first photo was taken at Amsterdam airport, we had a horrendous journey back from Copenhagen over 2 days thanks to the british weather so I wasnt loving life, id also lost a stone prior to this being taken, the second photo was last night.
I was a member of the group muddling along with some small losses but no consistency prior to being diagnosed with breast cancer in jan 24, once diagnosed that took president so I stopped coming to group. Treatment involved, surgery, chemo and radio. Steroids and other drugs also thrown into the mix. My coping strategy aside from the amazing support I recieved was food even losing my taste for most things I turned to sweet things, also I was very inactive finding it hard to even walk. Sharon stayed in touch with me, not as a leader but as a friend, I was determined to return to group once I was allowed. 3 weeks after my last chemo I was back, I dont mind saying standing on those scales was heartbreaking but I reset and tried my best, unfortunately I still had 19 radio therapy sessions and also lost one of my best friends suddenly so again as well as other stressor so I found myself again plodding along along but still showing up to group.
From me coming back at the beginning of august to christmas I lost 13lbs. After christmas my whole mindset changed, I was and still am determined to get back to my old self, I've checked my book and since january ive had 2 maintains and 3 gains, the rest of the weeks have been losses. Ive been to other groups when I cant make a wednesday morning and I really try to be mindful when I go out, which is often. Ive had holidays and weekends away but as soon as im back home im back on it, I try to stop eating when im feeling full and I make sure ive always got fruit in for snacks. Im obsessed with watermelon!! Im not very active as other health issues have stopped me going to the gym and my strength still isnt what it was so walking / hiking is something im trying to build up. Having said all that to date ive lost 4stone 1lb so its working! I've got around a stone to go, more if I want to get back to my weight of a few years ago but I will see what im happy at. Well done if youve read all of this, my apologies for length of it ❤️