Lost flab lands the big prize

Rachel Wright, who at 126.5kg felt lethargic and drained, lost 54kg on a Weight Watchers diet, more than her 50kg dog Ziggy weighs. Picture / Tania Webb

When 28-year-old engineer Rachel Wright weighed 126.5kg, she thought it was normal to feel lethargic and drained all day.

The Whangarei resident, who has lost a whopping 53.7kg, was last week named the 2006 Weight Watchers New Zealand Slimmer of the Year.

Part of the prize package includes a trip, with husband Daniel, to New York to meet Weight Watchers spokeswoman Sarah Ferguson.

Mrs Wright said the inspiration to lose the weight came soon after her wedding day.

"A good friend of the family made my dress and did a beautiful job but it was really just a big white tent, size 32 we think, as the pattern only went up to size 28, and she had to extend it for me," Mrs Wright told the Northern Advocate.

The dress then had to be let out again a few days before the wedding.

"I had managed to gain even more weight and it was still really tight. As a result, I got myself really wound up and at the end of the day I picked a fight with my husband."

She said she realised she needed help and joined Weight Watchers.

"I had no idea when I was overweight that it wasn't normal to feel drained and lethargic all day. A healthy diet and exercise have given me a level of fitness I couldn't have imagined. My husband has noticed the biggest difference - he is married to a completely different person."

Special category winners included:

* Men's winner: Mark Maloney, 27, Wellington, who lost 29.7kg.

* Inspirations winner: Naketa Ferguson, 27, Papatoetoe, who lost 31.5kg.

* Senior winner: Judy Bell, 63, Warkworth, who lost 23.1kg.

* Teen winner: Lara Delany, 16, Torbay, who lost 32.9kg.