Wigan mum overcomes lockdown challenges to lose the pounds

A mum-of-two has overcome the lockdown challenges to lose the pounds for a better recovery from a knee replacement operation.
Claire Wright after her weight lossClaire Wright after her weight loss
Claire Wright after her weight loss

Claire Wright, from Astley, joined Weight Watchers with trepidation in July 2019 weighing 12st 6lb, but by May last year she was 9st and 10lb.

The retired teaching assistant had been inspired to lose weight after having a knee problem for about six months.

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After trying injections and physio, Claire saw a consultant who suggested an initial operation, namely an arthroscopy.

Claire Wright before her weight lossClaire Wright before her weight loss
Claire Wright before her weight loss

It was at this appointment that it was mentioned that losing weight would help as well as doing exercises.

So it was then that Claire joined the Astley workshop the following week and never looked back.

And at the beginning of September Claire received the call to confirm her knee operation date and continued to attend workshops post-operation.

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Claire, 64, recalled when her consultant remarked “what a slim leg” she had after learning of her operation date.

She said: “I was elated. I came home a few days later and lo and behold lost a little more weight.”

Describing her weight loss journey with honesty Claire said there had been highs and lows. She has shared the positive impact and changes it has brought whilst stressing the impact on the recovery from her partial knee operation.

She said: “This is my journey so far, it has been ups and downs but more ups than downs with lots of joy and laughter and new friends along the way. The operation turned out to be bigger than expected - a partial knee replacement.

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“But losing the weight has helped so much both physically and mentally and has made me very determined to keep the weight off as I am loving the extra energy it has given me in aiding my recovery.

“The recovery after my op has been better than if I was carrying the extra weight and my physio who I have been seeing since September also said my progress is also contributing to losing weight.

“I feel all the better with my new knee but with all the new clothes I have got in the new smaller size of 10/12 instead of 16 I feel great.”

Her weight loss journey has also seen her overcome the challenges of not being able to attend sessions when the first national coronavirus lockdown started in March,

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Along the way she has also been able to count on the help of WW Coaches Maggie Dixon and Claire Bond on Virtual Workshops.

But Claire had a special mention for her husband Michael and her family who she said helped her change her habits to success.

She said: “We eat a lot more healthily lots of fruit and veg with every meal, lots more chicken and eggs and limited carbs.

“I began an exercise regime in March with a local fitness club because some of the exercises were chair based and that was good for my knee.

“I ended up doing these every day.

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She added: “I do miss them but will get back there as soon as I am able.”

Maggie Dixon said: “It’s been a pleasure to be part of Claire’s journey.

“From the beginning Claire was focused on the benefits that losing weight and becoming more active would bring to her health, she approached her journey in a very planned way working hard to get where she wanted to be.

“Claire has become a lovely member of our workshop contributing every week to discussions and helping support new members that arrive.

“Embracing the idea that nothing is off the menu, Claire is proof that you can get to where you want to be.”

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