Cradley mums and daughters shape up to huge weight loss (From Halesowen News)

Cradley mums and daughters shape up to huge weight loss

5:35pm Wednesday 11th July 2012 in News

Two sets of mothers and daughters from a Cradley slimming club have shed 17 stone between them - and stopped one of them from needing major heart surgery.

Grandmother Wendy Guise was shocked into shedding three stone when the alternative was surgery to bypass a leaking heart valve.

The 65-year-old, who believes the leak was caused by being overweight, said she was relieved that by taking the strain off her heart, she no longer needs the operation.

Mrs Guise, of Banners Lane, took inspiration from her daughter Samantha Harrison, who had already started the Weight Watchers slimming classes having decided enough was enough when she tipped the scales at 17st 10oz.

The new look 42-year-old has dropped from a dress size 24 to a shapely 12 having shed a massive 94lbs.

“I feel tremendous, so much fitter. I go out walking, I’ve even done a bit of running and I don’t get out of breath any more,” said Mrs Harrison, of Hillside Avenue, who plans to celebrate her new figure by renewing her vows on her 10th wedding anniversary in September.

Mother-of-three Christine Collard, has lost four-and-a-half stone at the Tuesday slimming class run by Paula Southwick at Cradley Community Centre, despite having a her third child during her diet.

The trimmed down 28-year-old, of Littlehill Crescent, who weighed in at almost 18 stone in September 2010, has gained energy and confidence and is looking forward to marrying her partner Matthew Ogle, having dropped from a dress size 22 to a 14.

She described the support from mum Sandra Collard as “brilliant” and their mutual encouragement has even seen them joining a zumba class together.

Mrs Collard, aged 56, of Furlong Lane, has lost three-and-a-half stone, having weighed in at 15st 7lbs, and is now enjoying playing with her grandchildren more and walking with her husband.