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Jan 2023

Health

Slimmer cuts weight by a third to reverse liver disease

Published: 19 Jan 2023, 12:30 GMT

Updated: 19 Jan 2023, 16:04 GMT

by John Grainger

Sylvia Skipper lost more than 40 per cent of her body weight when she became a member of Slimming World.

This story is sponsored by Slimming World.

A Harrogate slimmer is celebrating after reversing her liver disease by losing over a third of her body weight with Slimming World.

Sylvia Skipper was told by doctors that her non-alcoholic fatty liver disease was off the scale, with a liver fat content of over 70%.

“I was heading towards severe cirrhosis of the liver, which could lead to me needing a liver transplant,” said Sylvia.

“The consultant explained the only legitimate way of improving or reversing this was by losing weight. I had struggled with so many diets in the past I had just about lost faith.”

It was then that she turned to Slimming World, whose science-based healthy eating plan has helped thousands of people across the UK achieve their weight-loss goals without ever going on a diet.

“I vividly remember messaging Cate Pervana, who runs Slimming World groups in Harrogate, and sharing my health issues with her,” said Sylvia.

“I had previously had thyroid cancer, so I struggled to control my metabolism and doubted my ability to lose weight.

“But Cate gave me the reassurance I needed, and I joined Westcliffe Hall Harrogate Slimming World group.”

Combining Slimming World’s no-hunger eating plan with its Body Magic physical activity programme, Sylvia soon started to see the weight fall off. Just over a year later, she has lost 6st 7.5lb - over 40 per cent of her original body weight – and is now down from a size 24 to a size 8. Even her feet have shrunk from a 6 to a 4 and she's now proudly wearing her favourite pair of Christian Louboutin shoes, which had been stuck in her wardrobe for years.

"But the best news came this morning,” said Sylvia. “I now have less than 5% fat in my liver, I have completely reversed my liver disease, and I’ve been discharged.

“I am so grateful to Cate and everyone at Slimming World for giving me all the support I needed. Getting healthy again has been my sole motivation on my weight-loss journey, and I feel on top of the world.”

Slimming World in Harrogate and Knaresborough runs several groups, making it easier to find one to fit into your schedule. Cate Pervana runs groups in Harrogate, and Christine Husband runs them in Starbeck and Knaresborough.

Find out more:

If you want 2023 to be the year you achieve your weight-loss goals, find out more about your local groups by calling Christine Husband (Starbeck and Knaresborough) on 07890 621324, or Cate Pervana (Harrogate) on 07834 897533.

Alternatively, check out the Slimming World Harrogate and Knaresborough Facebook page here.