Kidney transplant patient from Hartlepool is now trim and full of energy with Slimming World support

Victoria Harrison, 53, underwent a life-changing transplant in 2017 due to the effects of hereditary kidney disease which saw her admitted to hospital numerous times and having dialysis three times a week.

Since 2015, Victoria's food options were severely curtailed when she went on a low phosphate, low potassium and low salt diet.

Foods such as mushrooms, tomato-based meals, chocolate, yoghurts, bananas and ice cream were all off the menu and all vegetables had to be double boiled.

“Every thing was very bland, no colour at all,” she said.

Victoria joined Slimming World in March 2014 to get fitter and change her way of eating plus give her a better chance of being on the transplant list.

Now she has achieved her target weight during lockdown while still getting tips and support from Slimming World's virtual sessions.

She has slimmed down by six stones one pound from 17 stone and six pounds at her heaviest.

Victoria, of Elwick, who goes to the Hartfields group, said: “My Slimming World Consultant and all my group buddies have been very supportive when I had to adapt my renal diet to food optimising.

“I got to meet people who were there to get fitter and eat healthier and some had long term chronic illnesses like myself and we would share tips and recipes in class.”

Victoria had her transplant in February 2017 but over next two years put on two stones due to a variety of medication she had to take including steroids.

She said: “In January 2019 I rejoined Slimming World to lose that weight once and for all to get to target and give myself a real chance of living life to the full.

“Thee years after my transplant my energy has come back in leaps and bounds and ‘Body Magic’ (activity programme) is very much part of my every day life now.

“My main support through this has been SW and my group members, also my best friend Judy Ayre and Linda Pickering Advocacy Officer of North East from Kidney Care UK.”

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