Pregnancy shock follows change to healthy lifestyle

Robyn Gatland was diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in 2009 and told she would be unable to have more children.

She was a young mum at the time, with one son, and the news was devastating to her and her husband.

It did, however, give her the motivation and time to look after herself and she developed a desire to get healthier and fitter.

Having seen her mother-in-law reach her target weight, she too learned how to adapt her diet and cook her family’s favourite meals in a new way.

“One of these was full English breakfast with lean bacon, eggs, mushrooms and tomatoes, all cooked in Frylight with a huge dollop of beans,” she explained.

Soon, Robyn had lost her first stone but at the age of 21, she began to feel unwell and had to go to hospital, thinking the PCOS was affecting her.

She and husband Sam were speechless when they were informed she was actually a few weeks pregnant. Doctors put it down to her new, healthier lifestyle.

Since then, the couple have had a third child and Robyn’s weight loss journey has continued.

The family enjoy cooking together and Robyn’s extensive herb collection allows her to make anything they like from scratch.

“The great thing is that it’s not expensive,” she said.

“People think it is expensive to eat healthy but I’ve found I’ve saved money as I only have to cook one meal for all of us.”

As well as changing her eating habits, Robyn has started exercising to keep her weight off and recently completed a 5k run as part of Brighton’s annual Colour Run.

Robyn was voted Miss Slinky and Woman of the Year by her Slimming World group, having lost a total of four stone.

She is now set to open her own group tonight, with the aim of helping people see and feel the benefits she has experienced on her own weight loss journey.

Robyn will also be sharing her family favourites with the group, having enjoyed her previous group’s ‘taster nights’, as they gave her the opportunity to try new dishes and ideas.

The meeting will begin at 7.30pm at Maybridge Keystone Club, Raleigh Way, Worthing, and will continue at the same time every Wednesday.

Call Robyn on 07824905085 for more information about her new Slimming World group.

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