I gradually accepted the excess skin as a part of
who I was and the journey I’d been on, and could
appreciate my new shape in a different way.
On a sunny day last autumn, Billy, now five years
old, sped across the playground, while I raced up
behind him, then wrapped him tightly in my arms.
He burst into joyful giggles and as I laughed along
with him, joints barely aching, I felt like I’d reached
a new level of happiness. When I told my nephew I’d
been selected as one of the final three for Slimming
World’s Woman of the Year, he gave me the biggest
cuddle. On the night of the ceremony, 17st 7½lbs
lighter, in a glamorous size-10 dress and pretty
pumps, I walked onto the stage of the InternationalConvention Centre in Birmingham with the other
two finalists. As my name was announced, it took me
a few seconds to realise that it really was true – I’d
won! As the hall rang with applause, I blinked back
the tears, overwhelmed.
The next day, when my sister broke the news
to Billy, he made her call me straight away. ‘Winner,
winner, chicken dinner!’ he said. ‘You did it Auntie
Maxine.’ That was all the reward I needed. Knowing
how proud he is of me makes my success even
more special. Now, I’m truly loving my new life,
18st lighter, and I can’t wait to see what the future
brings. One thing’s for sure, though, I’ll be around
every step of the way to watch Billy grow up. ●MAXINE WEARS
p9 (left): Dress, Diva.
Shoes, Maxine’s own.
Earrings, Dower &
Hall. Ring, Bloody
Mary Metal
p9 (right) and p10:
Coat, Hobbs. Top,
Roman. Jeans, Joseph
Ribkoff. Earrings,
Dower & Hall.
Necklace, Claudia
Bradby. Rings, both
Maxine’s own. Bag,
New Look. Umbrella,
stylist’s own
p11: Top, Hobbs. Skirt,
Closet London. Boots,
New Look. Earrings,
Dower & Hall. Belt,
Buckle 1922. Bracelet,
Claudia Bradby
p12: Top, Roman.
Jeans, Joseph Ribkoff.
Earrings, Claudia
Bradby. Fitness tracker,
Maxine’s own. Apron,
Debenhams
Right: Dress, Dorothy
Perkins. Boots, New
Look. Earrings and tote
bag, both Peacocks.
Cuff, Jaeger
THEN Most
high street
shops didn’t
stock a
single thing
in my sizeSLIMMING WORLD MAGAZINE 13life-changing loss