Charlotte’s a slimming cover girl (From Prestwich and Whitefield Guide)

Charlotte’s a slimming cover girl

7:20am Monday 17th September 2012 in News

A UNIVERSITY graduate is all smiles after achieving her perfect weight — and appearing on the front cover of a national magazine. Charlotte Moran, aged 22, of Ainsworth, is on the cover of the current edition of Slimming World magazine and is hoping it will inspire others. She started going to Slimming World classes two years ago to combat her habit of comfort eating. The former Tottington High School pupil has since transformed her lifestyle to such an extent, Slimming World organisers persuaded her to start her own class. Charlotte said she is glad to have made a change for the better, dropping three dress sizes to become a size 10. She added: “I feel confident about my figure for the first time ever. “If I can turn my life and eating around, anyone can.” As a child, Charlotte was teased for being overweight and she first joined Slimming World at the age of 11, weighing about 10 stone. And though the class helped her lose half a stone in six months, she struggled with comfort eating to cope with teasing from other children. She said: “By the time I was 11, I was tall and chunky and felt I stood out for all the wrong reasons. “I’d ask my mum to write notes to get me out of school swimming lessons because I didn’t want to wear my swimsuit in front of everyone.” As she grew up, Charlotte discovered junk food and alcohol which only made her battle with weight harder. She said: “I was eating burgers and pasties, driving a car rather than walking, and drinking vodka and cola on nights out. “Takeaways and cheese scrambled eggs were my downfall.” Two years ago, she rejoined Slimming World at size 16 and weighing 12st 2lb and now she is down to size 10 and weighs 9st 4lb. “I weigh the same now as I did after losing weight with Slimming World the first time — not bad considering I’m seven inches taller and 11 years older,” said Charlotte. Charlotte, who works as a group leader for Bury-based disability charity Jigsaw, graduated in July from the University of Salford with degree in counselling studies and therapeutic skills. In June, she became a consultant at her own weight loss group based at Bury Spiritual Centre in Russell Street, Limefield, and it meets each Wednesday at 9.30am and 7.30pm.