Shelley Burns shares her journey from hidden struggles to newfound confidence and health
Ashton-under-Lyne: From the outside, Shelley Burns seemed to have it all together. At 57, she was a gym enthusiast who loved weightlifting. But behind that strong exterior, she was struggling.
She used her workouts as a reason to indulge in unhealthy eating, thinking her intense training would balance it out. Unfortunately, that mindset led to a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes.
Despite being aware of her weight issues, Shelley found it hard to stick to restrictive diets. She often felt trapped in a cycle of losing and regaining weight, which left her feeling defeated.
“I thought I could eat whatever I wanted because I was lifting weights,” she admitted. “But I was wrong. The wake-up call came with my diabetes diagnosis.”
After hearing about Slimming World from her clients, she decided to give it a shot, even though she was skeptical. To her surprise, the support from others helped her find motivation.
Over time, Shelley lost 2.5 stone and reached her target weight. Her health improved, her gym performance soared, and her confidence skyrocketed.
“It feels like a switch flipped inside me,” she said, expressing gratitude for the support she received. “I’ve found my real smile again, and it feels amazing.”
Experts like Dr. Jemma Donovan emphasize that lasting change comes from support and determination, not quick fixes like weight loss drugs. Shelley’s story is a testament to that belief.
