A Padiham woman who struggled with perimenopausal symptoms lost five stone in five months after joining a weight-loss club, and now is aiming to help others do the same.

After turning 40, Janine Parrington put on five stone, and she asked a friend for her advice on losing weight.

The friend recommended the Slimming World group based in Rosegrove, Burnley.

Having tried many diets, with limited success, she was worried the provisions at Slimming World would mean they would be unable to help her in shifting her weight.

Janine said: “I’ve always led a healthy and active lifestyle and didn’t give my weight too much thought, that is until I reached my 40s.

“Before I knew it, I was five stones heavier and feeling dreadful.” 

Working alongside consultant Denny Dodds, Janine learnt about food optimising, which provides a unique eating plan to satisfy the appetite with healthy, everyday foods.

Janine added: “At first, I thought that it all seemed too good to be true.

"As a pasta lover, I was amazed to hear I could enjoy my favourite meals and still lose weight.

“But, after losing half a stone in my very first week, I was convinced. This was the plan for me, I could do this.”

After the success of her own journey, Janine has taken the opportunity to develop and become a Slimming World consultant herself, and now she runs a weekly class at Padiham Football Club.

Estimates suggest that during perimenopause 80 per cent of women experience symptoms such as hot flushes, feeling tired, difficulty sleeping and concentrating, which makes concerns about weight gain feel inevitable or incredibly difficult.

Denny said: “The tremendous satisfaction I get seeing my members change their lives is hard to describe.

“Losing weight alone can be difficult, there’s unbeatable power in being part of a group – a group full of people with shared experience and a common goal. We’re all in this together.

“As Janine shed the pounds, her confidence grew, her positivity became infectious, and we love nothing more than celebrating each milestone along a weight loss journey.”

If you want to find out more about the Slimming World classes, you can contact Janine on 07766 241282.