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Mum passes her secret milestone

21/ 2/2007

OUR FIGHT the flab campaign family are now halfway through their difficult slog to shed the pounds.

And our campaign mum Sandra Laidler is delighted as she has lost 1st 2lbs in just four weeks and is ahead of her two stone target.

Now weighing 15 stone 12lb, Sandra, has also passed a personal milestone of weighing less than 16 stone.

Mum-of-three Sandra, of Furness Avenue, Ashton said: "It must be at least 23 years since I weighed under 16 stone."

She said the family had experienced ups and downs, but overall are now feeling really positive.

She said: "I am loving the lifestyle classes and all the exercise - it really helps take your mind off your worries.

"But most importantly I really feel like I am getting the hang of a more healthy diet."

"I am making sure that vegetables make up at least half of our main meals, and we are all trying to snack on fruit now rather than chocolate biscuits."

At the family's weekly weigh in, husband Ian, 48, has lost 11 pounds in four weeks and now weighs 16st 6lbs.

Son, 21-year-old Adrian, has put on three pounds this week, but has overall still lost 1st 3lbs and now weighs 19st 11lbs. And youngest son, 11-year-old Ben, has lost 4lbs overall and now weighs 10st 10lb.

Sandra said: "I am really pleased with all our progress. Some things have just prevented us all losing more so far.

"Ian with his injuries has not been able to do much exercise yet and Ben has had two falls this week. But we are all really trying to make the best of this.

"We all have a long way to go, but are really starting to get it at last - it is all about a total lifestyle change."

AFTER suffering an injury, Fight the Flab campaign dad Ian was worried he might not be able to exercise.

But Ian Laidler, 48, pictured, was delighted to receive some positive advice from a sports therapist last week.

Ian, of Furness Vale, Ashton, who used to cycle to work, said: "I have struggled to do any exercise after several operations on my knee. I just didn't want to risk injuring myself again as I work as a contractor and this would have meant time off."

He said he was advised to see a sports therapist after trying to enrol at the gym at Oxford Park Sports Centre in Ashton.

Ian said: "He has advised me to try rowing and cycling as these are better exercises for my type of knee injury. I am going for an induction at the gym this week and I am keen to start cycling with Ben."

Active therapy clinics are available for people with injuries to get advice on exercising. For information call the Copley Centre, Stalybridge on 303 8118 or Medlock Leisure Centre, Droylsden on 370 3070.