Weight down, confidence up for Dawn

A WOMAN with Cerebral Palsy discovered she was struggling at home because she had put on too much weight – and not because of her condition.

Dawn Hutter said she now finds various activities, such as putting on her shoes, much easier, thanks to her time with Slimming World.

The 33-year-old married mum said she found Slimming World very supportive.

She said: “I intended to stop going and just weigh in at home but I found the support so good that I haven’t stopped going.

“When I was younger, before I needed a wheelchair, it was more of a physical effort to walk, so I frequently burned off more calories and could pretty much eat what I liked.


“However, as my mobility worsened, I continued to eat what I liked but wasn’t burning off the extra calories and the weight just piled on.

“I decided enough was enough. There were a lot of different factors, but I was just sick of feeling like the ‘fat one,’ so I tried calorie counting and lost 12lb in a month, which I was really pleased with. But one week I didn’t lose anything and had been hungry pretty much all week.”

Dawn then realised that she would have to take action to maintain the weight loss. With the Slimming World plan, she can eat until she feels full – and has since lost four stones and 9lbs.

She said: “Part of me still doesn’t see the amount as a big thing because it has come off gradually and I honestly don’t feel like I am on a diet. I can’t get up and run around, but it has made a difference to me emotionally. I no longer feel like the fat person and I can sit on the floor to play games with my son without getting pins and needles in my legs.

“A huge moment for me was having to have a new manual wheelchair and the seat adjusted on my power-chair because the seat was too big.”

She plans to follow the plan to reach her target weight, but is confident she will because of the support of her consultant and fellow members.

The amateur singer said she can now wear smaller costumes on stage and her confidence has been boosted.

She said the Slimming World plan is easy to follow and she does not have to cook extra food for the family.

She also follows a wheelchair workout DVD, which is done either sitting for some sections, lying on the floor or bed.

She added: “My group is fantastic and supportive and it’s a friendly place. There’s no need to be embarrassed as your weight is kept confidential and you will soon lose it once you get going.”

She said it changed her life for the better and she would highly recommend it.