East Lothian Courier | News | Super slimmer takes over the class!

Thursday, 24th July, 2008

Published: Thursday, 8th May, 2008 08:00

Super slimmer takes over the class!

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AS the manager of a busy poultry farm, Lorraine Combe has dropped her fair share of chicken’s eggs over the years.

However, dropping weight was to remain a flight of fancy for the chocolate-loving grandmother of East Road until she took the plunge to join the North Berwick branch of Scottish Slimmers last August.

Now, after losing a quarter of her own bodyweight in just three months through controlled dieting and sheer willpower, the former pupil finds herself in charge of not one, but two local slimming classes.

Such a remarkable role reversal was the last thing on Mrs Combe’s mind when a friend persuaded her to give organised slimming a try.

“I was a plump child and a plump teenager, but my weight never got out of hand until after I had my two children,” recalled Mrs Combe, 52.

“I always liked a bar of chocolate but often I ate large amounts of it. By the time I decided to do something about it I weighed nearly 14 stone and was around three stone heavier than I should have been for my height and build.

“I was 5ft 5in and wearing a size 18 dress. I was close to moving up to a size 20 before starting attending weekly slimmers meetings at the Abbey Church.”

Thanks to a healthy eating plan she hit her target three-stone weight loss – enough to let her fit into a size 12 outfit.

“It has made a hell of a difference to my self-confidence,” she admitted.

“My husband George says it’s like having a new woman around.

“I still have my chocolate, but within reason.”

Mrs Combe took over the North Berwick class following the resignation of its Edinburgh-based manager in January. Last month, she launched a second class in Dirleton.

“I have been pleasantly surprised by the classes’ popularity,” said Mrs Combe, who underwent a training course before her promotion.

“I don’t have any plans to leave my job on the farm, but who knows – this could become a full-time career in the future.”

Heather Chapman, who works with new managers at Scottish Slimmers, said: “You have to admire Lorraine’s determination. She looks years younger and has a much healthier lifestyle.”

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