10K runner's body transformation in Huntly group
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
A Huntly slimming group member – who now lives in Gardenstown – has gone from aches and pains to completing Beast Race after losing more than five-and-a-half stone.
Laura Faulkner felt amazing crossing the finishing line with her husband Kris at the recent 10K and obstacle race in Banchory.
"We were there as part of a big team," she commented, "and the younger ones had said 'don't worry, we'll help you over the obstacles'. I thought 'no way, I'm doing this'. I ended up completing the race more than 50 minutes faster than the youngest ones in our team. It felt great."
The mother of two, who only began her weight loss transformation in January, has been so energised by her success she has signed up for several further challenges next year including Tough Mudder, Born Survivor, Colour Run and plans to walk Ben Nevis.
"I've also signed up for Beast Race again," added the 42-year-old. "There was only one obstacle I struggled with this year – a big 12 foot wall – and I am determined to tackle that next time and cut my time down to two hours instead of the two hours and 13 minutes I completed the race in this year."
This enthusiasm is just a glimpse of the strength and willpower Laura has harnessed this year to lose 5stone 9lbs and become a target member at Huntly's Slimming World group, led by Sandra Penny. She has gone down from a size 20 to as size 12.
The gym bunny, who also attends boxing fit classes, body pump, says it was an uncomfortable moment that opened her eyes to her lack of fitness.
"When we moved from Huntly to Gardenstown in 2020 I struggled to walk up the hill to our house," said Laura. "I was being pulled up the hill by two labradors and I suddenly noticed two people around 20 years older than me marching up way faster.
"I had hip and knee pain, and issues from a torn meniscus.
"I was also told to lose weight for an operation for endometriosis."
She added: "I was also stuck in a rut with weekly takeaways. We lived next to the chip shop in Huntly before moving."
Laura, who is a senior support worker in Macduff recalls enjoying her Christmas food, including "eating a camembert cheese like it was a sandwich" and then signing up to Slimming World in Huntly where she knew people on January 3.
"I never looked back," Laura said. "I was so determined. I used a holiday abroad as my first goal to lose weight. I wanted to feel good.
"I don't drink a lot, so I don't get caught out by that when I go out socially. I also make better choices now, such as I choose a steak and a baked potato instead of fish and chips because I know I can still have a good time and not come off track."
Laura now happily reveals she suffers no aches and pains during exercise, thanks to her weight loss, and husband Kris has lost four-and-a-half stone in the process of supporting her by eating the same meals and getting fit.
The only down side Laura has encountered in her slimmer life is that her hobby if all-year-round sea swimming feels even tougher.
"I find the sea so much colder now without the extra weight," she admitted with a laugh.
And the key to her success is setting constant goals. Laura's current goal which will help her maintain her target weight is to be able to run 5K without stopping at the gym.
If you are keen to follow in Laura's footsteps you can find the Huntly group at the Golf Club on Mondays at 9am, 10.30am, 5.30pm and 7pm.
