A Surbiton mum of seven has lost almost half her body weight in less than two years after swapping chocolate bars and chips for knitting for her children.

Dena Harrison tipped the scales at almost 22 stone in February 2014 when she started to get pains and pins and needles in her arms.

It was then the 42-year-old full time carer realised if she did not do something about her weight she would not be around to see her daughter and six sons, aged between two and 24, grow up.

She said: “I was just looking at my children and I realised I was killing myself. It was a sudden realisation and I just couldn’t choose to do that.

“I was eating crisps and chocolate because I was bored. I knew I had to do something.”

Mrs Harrison joined Surbiton Slimming World and lost a massive 9lbs in just her first week after she stopped gorging on crisps, chocolate and chips in the evening – and started knitting.

Surrey Comet:

Joe, Connor, Geraldine (Dena's mother), Ciara and Dena in her old trousers

In just 14 months she was down to about 11st – but put on a bit of weight after a bereavement – and now weighs 11st 8lbs, which is less than a stone away from her target weight of 10st 11.5lbs.

She said: “I put on a little bit towards the end but now I’m back on track.

“I used to eat anything quick and anything with chips. I was eating the wrong foods and always saying it was because I didn’t have any time to prepare meals, but I realise now I was just being lazy.

“I would have chips with everything and all my food was ready meals and snacks.

“Now I make everything from scratch and I do not snack in the day – except for a Curly Wurly after the kids have gone to bed.

“When I started eating less I realised how much more energy I had and that spurred me on. Now I walk about six miles a day and the school runs have definitely helped get me in shape.

“My target is to lose exactly half my body weight.”

Mrs Harrison’s mum Geraldine Gellard joined Slimming World with her daughter and has lost five stone so far. Now husband Darren, 48, has just started as a member.

Mrs Harrison said: “My daughter Ciara, 9, comes to the Slimming World meetings with me.

“My tastes have totally changed since I started. We are definitely healthier as a family.”

Before:

  • Breakfast: Large bowl of cereal and toast
  • Lunch: Huge bowl of pasta, sandwiches, crisps
  • Dinner: Large portions of spaghetti, chocolate, chips, or ready meals
  • Snacks: Crisps and chocolate bars 

After:

  • Breakfast: Fruit and yoghurt or cereal weighed out to proper portion
  • Lunch: Homemade soups or pasta salad
  • Dinner: Homemade chilli with Quorn or lean meat, or small roast with vegetables 
  • Snacks: One Curly Wurly in the evening

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