A former dinner lady has revealed how she shed 12st in just 18 months because she wanted to live to see her grandson grow up.
At her heaviest, Alison Berry, 63, weighed 22st and was heavily dependent on medication she needed for diverticulitis, a debilitating condition that was causing her to go to the toilet up to 40 times a day.
Alison, from South Tyneside, had been overweight her entire adult life and was in denial over how long she had to adopt lasting healthy habits.
But that all changed after she suffered a bad flare up of her condition, which resulted in Alison being gravely ill and hospitalised.
Former dinner lady Alison Berry has revealed how she shed 12st in just 18 months because she wanted to live to see her grandson grow up. Pictured, after her weight loss
At her heaviest, Alison Berry, 63, weighed 22st and was heavily dependent on medication she needed for diverticulitis, a debilitating condition that was causing her to go to the toilet up to 40 times a day. Pictured, Alison Berry before her weight loss
Thankfully she survived, which was a massive wake up call, as she realised that time was running out.
After embarking on her healthy food plan and a simple walking routine, Alison shed 11st 7lb in 18 months and is medication free.
Reflecting on her journey so far, Alison explains how her decision to finally shed the weight came after her daughter gave birth to her first grandson, Joseph.
She said: ‘I cried myself to sleep often worrying that my life would be cut short by my medical condition and weight. Then my daughter in-law gave birth to my first adorable grandson Joseph.
‘My daughter in-law and son asked if I would look after him for two days a week when she returned to work, and it was all I wanted to do.
‘I wanted to be the best Nana ever who could take her grandchildren everywhere, play on the floor with them, take them swimming, climb inside their pop-up tents and chase them round the garden.
‘The reality is that I couldn’t even cut my own toenails, and I certainly couldn’t fit inside the tents.’
Alison had been overweight her entire adult life and was in denial that she had plenty of time to become healthier. Pictured, after her weight loss
Reflecting on her journey so far, Alison (pictured after her weight loss) explains how her decision to finally shed the weight came after her daughter gave birth to her first grandson, Joseph
After embarking on a healthy food plan and a simple walking routine, Alison shed 11st.7lb in 18 months and is medication free
Something had to change, and quickly, and having tried ‘every diet under the sun to no avail’, Alison joined Slimming World at her heaviest and started using products from The Skinny Food Co.
She loves homemade meals, especially homemade burgers, and uses the brand’s low-calories sauces to make healthy substitutions.
She says: ‘I don’t just have a sweet tooth, I have a mouth filled with sweet teeth – it was a real problem.’
Alison (pictured before weight loss) revealed how she would start every day with a full-fat can of coke with a handful of chocolate bars for breakfast and would then graze all day whilst at work
Alison joined Slimming World at her heaviest and started using products from The Skinny Food Co. Pictured, after her weight loss
Alison describes how she would have a full-fat can of coke with a handful of chocolate bars for breakfast and would then graze all day whilst at work.
Nowadays, Alison describes herself as an ‘adrenaline junkie’ trying to make up for lost time, making the most out of every single day.
She says: ‘I was once asked to step off a fairground ride because I was too big to fit inside the safety strap.
‘Since then, I’ve been on the world’s fastest zip-line, fire walks, completed a tree-top assault course, and I’m absolutely desperate to do a wing-walk. Life is good now I’ve lost my weight.’
From being gravely ill and thinking her life was at a standstill, Alison is now medication-free and more confident than ever.
Nowadays, Alison describes herself as an ‘adrenaline junkie’ trying to make up for lost time, making the most out of every single day. She has been on the world’s fastest zip-line and fire walks
She said: ‘Don’t wait a minute longer – your new life is waiting for you, no matter your age or circumstance.
‘I won’t say losing weight was easy, but with determination it sure is worth it. Leave that old, sad life behind and take the plunge.
‘Take each day as it comes and enjoy the process. I used to be afraid of walking to the shop in case people laughed at me, now I walk with my head held high with a big smile on my face – and you can too.’
Alison added: ‘I used to hide in the background and make fat-jokes about myself, trying to beat others to the punchline – now I live life with a big smile on my face and enjoy every minute.
‘I can’t wait to watch my grandchildren grow up and be a huge part of both of their lives.’
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