Identical twins' bond encourages weight-loss campaign - Gazette Daily
They grew up together, work together and talk on the phone at least twice a day.
Happy twins Tina Bailey and Kerry Chase runner's up in Slimming World's Woman of the Year
The bond that identical twins Tina Bailey and Kerry Chase share is so strong it has helped them lose seven and a half stone between them in a Slimming World weight loss programme.
Their remarkable enthusiasm to keep one another going saw them nominated, together as one, for the group's Woman of the Year award.
The 39-year-old Brookfield School catering assistants support each other, which made them perfect contestants for the award.
It has been a life-changing experience for the pair, boosting their confidence and chopping inches off their waistline.
It all started as a bid to get healthy and fit into dresses for their 40th birthday party this January.
"It was after Christmas last year when we decided to do it," said Kerry who has dropped from just over 16st to 12st 7lbs. "Always feeling uncomfortable, aching and not getting a proper night's sleep because of how big we were."
BEFORE: Kerry and Tina at Southampton's Race for Life in 2009 before the weight loss
The mum-of-two of Brigantine Road, Warsash said they felt frumpy and would always hide behind baggy trousers and top. "The aim was for us both to wear dresses – something we never used to do! It was an aspiration to have a dress for the party," she added.
The inseperable twins have both gone from a size 22 to slim sizes 14 for Kerry and 12 for Tina. And Tina was astounded at how easy the slimming programme has been. Trying new recipes has sparked a love of cooking for the pair – who never used to eat fruit or veg.
"We've done our journey together," said Tina whose 15st 10 lbs has plummeted to 11st 9lbs. "It's almost like a sisterly friendly competition. It's not a competition though and we help each other out.
"I enjoy getting dressed up. It's just made us feel 100 per cent better."
They will strive on in the hope of losing around another stone between them.
And for single mum-of-two Tina, of Barnes Close in Sarisbury Green, it has been a surprise boost to her confidence and she's dating again. She was always so self-conscious, but was picked up in a bar recently – literally!
"I always used to put the barriers up as soon as a bloke used to come over to me. This guy picked me up and I was like, put me down!
"It's just given me the confidence I needed."
Before the slimming scheme, exercise was unheard of for Kerry and Tina, who used to binge on unhealthy snacks and quick-to-cook meals – including, pizza and baguettes.
AFTER: Tina and Kerry's sisterly bond saw them lose seven stone between them
Now they exercise every day, at the gym, at Zumba classes, playing with Titchfield netball team Wayfarers, or just heading outside for a walk.
"When we're not exercising we're thinking, what can we do? We're itching to get out. So we'll say let's go for a walk," Tina laughed.
The pair make sauces from scratch and choose healthier options such as Ryvita and fruit salads.
Being nominated for the Slimming World award by the group, which meets at the Victory Hall in Warsash each week, was an incredible moment for the humble twins.
"We were really quite shocked and honoured to be nominated for it," said Tina. "We didn't expect it. There are a lot of people there that have done very well."
Even though they didn't win the award, they both said they couldn't have lost the weight without the group's support.
Kerry and Tina, then aged 15, have always been inseperable
"We were a bit gutted that we didn't win it," said Kerry. "But their support is absolutely amazing. You get some people that have had a bad week and everybody rallies around and gives tips."
After this year's success they're aiming high for next year.
"We'll go for next year's award," smiled Kerry.
Short URL: http://www.wwgazette.co.uk/?p=4937
06 Sep, 2011--
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