Stephanie Bradley and Llewellyn Pye shed 13 stone with Colchester Slimming World

Super slimmers Stephanie Bradley and Llewellyn Pye have a special reason for looking forward to the Christmas party season this year - they have lost 13 stones in weight between them.

And in recognition of their transformational achievements Stephanie has been voted ‘Miss Slinky 2017’ and Llewellyn as ‘Mr Sleek 2017’ by fellow Slimming World group members in Colchester.

Stephanie, 34, who lost three stone and dropped from a dress size 18 to a 10/12, says: “I was already really looking forward to this Christmas and feeling glamorous enough to wear the outfits I’ve been dreaming of. Winning the title of Miss Slinky means I have even more to celebrate and I know this festive season will be extra special. I couldn’t have done it without the support of Alice, my consultant, and the rest of the Abbot’s Activity Centre members.”

Llewellyn, who lost an incredible 10 stone after joining Colchester’s Queen Boudica Slimming World group, says joining was a big decision but one he is so glad he made.

“Being voted for by the other members of the group is really great because it’s thanks to them and their support – and our consultant Jennifer Bebb – that we’ve stayed committed to losing the weight that we have,” he says. “As a man, joining a slimming group was nerve-wracking, but I can honestly say it’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.”

The pair began following Slimming World’s Food Optimising healthy eating plan, which encourages members to satisfy their appetite on healthy foods such as fruit and veg, pasta, rice, potatoes, lean meat, fish and more. The idea is that slimmers are able to lose weight without ever going hungry and still enjoy treats without feeling deprived.

Organisers say Slimming World’s annual Miss Slinky and Mr Sleek competitions recognise members who have transformed both inside and out by becoming healthier and happier, slimmer and more confident, and who look great in their seasonal party clothes. The national winners of both titles will each net a £2,000 cash price when the results are announced in January.

Alice and Jennifer, who run the Slimming World groups Stephanie and Llewelyn attend, are proud of their slimmers.

“Christmas is a time of year for getting dressed up and having a good time. However when people are overweight they often dread it because they feel uncomfortable and out of place at parties – that’s if they don’t make an excuse to avoid socialising altogether,” says Alice. “This year I know Stephanie and Llewellyn will feel completely different from previous years. I hope they’ll be accepting every invitation they receive and showing off their gorgeous new figures with poise and assurance – they definitely live up to their new titles of Miss Slinky and Mr Sleek in my eyes.

“I’ve no doubt that they’ll inspire other people to lose weight too and show that whether you’ve got a little or a lot of weight to lose, slimming down can make a big difference to how you feel about yourself and really boost your confidence. Stephanie and Llewellyn are both happier, healthier and fitter, and every week the group love hearing about their progress. Stephanie has wowed everyone with her commitment to visiting the gym and running regularly with her family and Llewellyn is a whizz in the kitchen now so it’s fab to find out what he’s been cooking up.”

Find your nearest Slimming World group at www.slimmingworld.co.uk or call Alice on 07834 195844.