TWO KILBIRNIE super slimmers were amongst more than 20 award winners at a Scottish Slimmers get together earlier this month.

Heather Peters, from Kilbirnie picked up the Look Younger, Feel Younger award after shedding over seven stone while mum of one Lorraine Raybould, who also lives in Kilbirnie, won the Bridal Success category after losing over four stone.

Heather won a day at The Cook School Scotland, while Lorraine wins a £100 shopping voucher and a consultation with Personal Retail Wardrobe, owned by actress Sheila Grier.

The event, which took place in Dunblane was to celebrate member’s success as the 23 finalists came together from all over Scotland.

‘They have put in the work, they have smashed their weight loss goals and it’s their time to celebrate their incredible success,’ says Scottish Slimmers marketing director Alexandra Howie. ‘it was a great day and a great chance for our slimmers to show off and feel really proud of themselves. We are certainly proud of them.’

Lorraine admits everything has changed about her - her dress sense has changed, new styles, new shops, her exercise regime has changed and so have her eating habits.

She said: "Looking back I was extremely lazy and I hated people who talked about gyms and exercise, now I go for a run every morning before work and it’s become part of my daily routine. I think it gives me a positive attitude before the day begins.

There were two reasons Lorraine took the step to walk through the door of her local Scottish Slimmers class.

One was being asked to be a bridesmaid at her best friend’s wedding. The other was being diagnosed with IBS.

"My reasons were twofold and I realised I had to change my diet. Before a typical weekend would involve beer, crisps and takeaways, and some weeks I would have a couple more takeaways if I was too busy to cook.

"Don’t get me wrong, I still like takeaways but now I choose the healthier option like a chicken kebab with lots of salad. I also now make a packed lunch every day and I’m far more aware of portion sizes when I dish out the family dinner," said this mum of one.

"In fact I’ve taught my five-year-old son how to cook some of the meals from the Scottish Slimmers eating plan and it’s great fun."

On Boxing Day 2010 Heather slipped on ice while walking her dog and broke her back in two places.

She spent four months in rehab and six months is a spinal brace and had to learn to walk again. A year later she was still using a wheelchair and walking aids.

To see her now it’s hard to believe.

"As you can imagine I gained a lot of weight and did very little exercise so not surprisingly the pounds piled on", said Heather.

However while waiting at the doctor’s for one of her regular appointments she read a Scottish Slimmers magazine – and the rest is history!

"I decided to join and my neighbour came with me. By encouraging and supporting each other we lost weight, I gained confidence and even my doctor says I’ve not only lost pounds but years – what a compliment!"

Since losing weight Heather has also found the confidence and energy to get fitter. She’s joined a gym, goes walking and regularly cycles 10 miles, and wears Lycra!

"My health has improved so much. I have MS and I always thought because of that I couldn’t exercise or lose weight. Now I realise the only thing that was stopping me was me.

"Now all my health issues have improved and it’s thanks to Scottish Slimmers. I feel totally motivated and going to my Scottish Slimmers class makes my day!"

For more information on Scottish Slimmers call FREE on 0800 36 26 36 or log on to www.scottishslimmers.com