A WOMAN from Bodelwyddan who has suffered three family bereavements in the last five years and fought her own battle with cancer has celebrated losing six-and-a-half stone.
Sara Hennigan, a 43-year-old mum-of-two, said making such drastic positive lifestyle changes has improved her mental health hugely, especially having lost her mum, dad and brother.
Jackie, Sara’s mum, and John, her brother, both died from lung cancer, in 2017 and 2019 respectively, while her dad, Joe, died from sepsis in 2021.
But while each death was obviously devastating, Sara said she took particular inspiration from the way her brother dealt with his illness.
She said: “As my mum passed away, my dad was fighting for his life. He was in hospital for six months, and ended up in a nursing home after that.
“As he was fighting for his life in hospital, my eldest brother found out he had the same lung cancer as my mum, six weeks after she had died.
“I couldn't carry on. It was awful. I was already heartbroken that I'd lost the most important person in my life, and then my brother found out he had cancer.”
“My brother changed his life to try to save himself. He changed his diet, gave up smoking and processed foods… he tried everything he could.
“I thought to myself: ‘If you've got a life, and you’re still living, do something about it. He was my inspiration.
“He knew he was dying, but he gave it his best shot. He should only have lasted six months, but he lasted 18."
It was the Christmas of 2019, the first after John died, when Sara felt determined to change her life.
At the time, Sara, who suffers from a hiatus hernia (when part of the stomach squeezes up into the chest through an opening in the diaphragm), said she “thought I was having a heart attack because I was so big”.
Having been frightened by this particular incident, Sara lost four stone in the next 18 months, before being diagnosed with cervical cancer in July 2021.
An emergency hysterectomy thankfully resulted in her receiving the all-clear, but as she was recovering, she sadly suffered another bereavement.
She said: “As I was getting over that, my dad died. I ended up putting 12 pounds back on.
“I was in a bad place with my back - with sciatica, I could hardly move. My mobility was shocking. I was getting low again, and was in a rut.
“Every grief was different. With my mum, I was truly, truly heartbroken; there was no pain like it. After my dad, I was angry, because I felt like he was the protector of the family.”
But what was, by Sara’s own admission, a “game-changer”, was advice from a physiotherapist to join a gym.
She’s now a regular at “Live Life Light” in Rhyl, which she said has changed her life.
Sara also formed her own walking group during the COVID-19 pandemic, which included lockdown family walks, and is now burning at least 1,000 calories almost daily.
She said: “Going to Live Life Light has changed my life. I’m loving it.
“I'm out walking again, and have got a little walking group - today, I've burned 1,600 calories. I couldn't even walk to the shop (previously); now, I'm walking loads.
“They set me up on some programmes suitable for me, and it's really just enhanced my weight loss.
“It's given me so much confidence; it's got me right back up there. I've felt my best since going there.
“I do a mixture of everything at the gym - the bike, the cross trainer, and just specific programmes for me.”
Sara has also been helped along her weight loss journey by Slimming World, having joined its Abergele group in January 2020.
Having overcome mental hurdles to attend the group, she added how glad and grateful she is for the help of her Slimming World consultants and fellow “slimmers”.
She said: “At first, I couldn't go through the doors; I turned around and went home.
“It took me a hell of a lot to walk through those doors, but I'm glad I did because I've formed wonderful friendships with lots of people. I'd say I've got lifelong friends there now.”
It is a far cry from the days when Sara would shut herself away in her bedroom and feast on fizzy drinks, crisps and chocolate.
Now following a “calorie control diet”, she has lost three-and-a-half stone since March.
Personal accolades have also included been named “woman of the year”, “biggest loser” and “Miss Slinky” at Slimming World, as well as “member of the month” and “star of the week” at Live Life Light.
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A particular milestone, she added, came during a shopping trip with a friend.
She said: “I used to go into my bedroom and just shut off. I used to pig out every single night – it was almost like I wasn't really eating, because no one could see me eating.
“It's just about making the right choices. It's not about losing weight for me now; it's about my mental health, and how I feel in myself. The weight loss has just been a bonus.
“I feel great. My friends and family used to buy outfits which I was always too big to get in to - I fitted in a size 12 last year, and this year, a size 12 has gone big on me.
“I thought: 'Like I'll ever fit into a size 10', but I went into a changing room and size 10 jeans fitted me perfectly. That just made me feel good.
“Whether it's walking or the gym, I do it because it keeps me going all day, and it's good for your head. If I'm having a bad day, I just throw myself into a walk, and it works for me.
“Overall, I just think I've totally changed my ways.”
Pauline Jones, Sara’s Slimming World consultant, congratulated her on her achievements.
She added: “Sara is just so inspirational, and such a blessing to my Abergele Slimming World group.
“She has overcome personal losses and many hurdles in her personal life during her weight loss journey.
“She absolutely deserves to be recognised for the life-changing measures she has taken to ensure a happy and healthy future.”
A spokesperson for Live Life Light also commended Sara.
They added: "Sara Hennigan has been a revelation since she joined us at Live Life Light. Her attitude and her consistency are what stand out the most.
"It's really not that surprising that she is doing as well as she is, because she has had a strong mindset, and big goals to hit.
"As you can see from the pictures, she is looking fabulous, but what the pictures don't show are the massive fitness and strength improvements she has had, too.
"Along with her own success, she also helps encourage and support others members to help inspire them to hit their goals, too.
"She has won numerous awards with us at the gym and is one of our stand-out members.
"Transformation isn't easy and there is never a perfect time or moment but Sara has shown that it's possible if you want it enough."
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