Sheffield mum loses SEVEN stone during lockdown – and says it’s all down to her kids

Lindsay Fereday of Arbourthorne said her children are her biggest motivation for her to practice a healthier lifestyle as she vows to see them grow up for as long as she could.

And being under lockdown due to Covid was like a wake-up call for her, especially having to care for her sons, who are both autistic.

"I felt like I was stuck in a rut, waking up everyday struggling and didn't like the way I looked.

"When Covid happened, I was petrified because I've got four children and both of my sons are autistic and they rely on me a lot and need my support.

"If they don't have me, at the end of the day, they will grow up without me. It just scared me and I thought, I had to do something about it," she said.

The 34-year-old cleaning supervisor said that's when she decided to join a local Slimming World group last May and they have been supportive of her weight loss journey.

"I called the group leader Marie Hooper and joined their virtual group. I never looked back since," she said.

Lindsay, who weighed 24 stone before she started, said she aims to lose five more stone to achieve her target weight.

But already losing all the weight has given her a new lease of life.

"I feel a lot healthier and I have loads more energy. I used to be tired constantly but now I just feel one million times better about myself.

"Now I am able to shop better for clothes and I feel more confident about myself. I dreaded going out before and used to be self-conscious.

"My children are all very proud of me. I'm glad I can see them grow up. I can run about and now go for walks. I could never do that before," she said.

She also encouraged those who want to lose weight not to give up easily.

"If I can do it, anyone can do it too,” she said.