Rochdale woman makes awards shortlist after losing 11 stone

Steph Brown after her weight loss

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A Rochdale woman has been nominated for a top national award after losing an incredible 11 stone.

Until she turned nine, Steph Brown, 24, was a healthy, happy, popular, average-sized girl with lots of friends. Then she suffered a seizure that would change her life forever.

Ms Brown’s efforts to overcome the condition and its effects has put her on the shortlist for Fitness First’s annual New You Achievement Awards.

“We were travelling to America for a family holiday when I suffered my first seizure,” said Ms Brown. “It had never happened before so we all put it down to a ‘one-off’ brought on by the travelling. But then it happened again, and again. In fact it was so bad that my mother took me for special tests when we returned to England – and I was diagnosed with Epilepsy.”

Unable to take part in regular activities at school – and suffering the embarrassment of seizures in front of fellow pupils – Ms Brown became isolated. And the bullying began.

“I put on a lot of weight and I couldn’t deal with the bullies,” she said.

For many, weight gain is an unfortunate side effect of the medication used to treat Epilepsy. And Ms Brown was no exception. “I gained loads of weight and started to form an emotional attachment to food.”

At college, Ms Brown forged a friendship with a member at Fitness First. “She encouraged me to join, so I did. I started to have personal training sessions with Dean and I haven’t looked back.”

An incredible weight loss of 11 stone combined with an increase in fitness has helped Ms Brown control her Epilepsy.

“I am so much more confident now,” she said. “Previously I wouldn’t have even considered speaking to strangers – but now I’ll speak to anyone.”

Turning her life around in such a positive, unfaltering manner has left a lasting impression on Fitness First UK fitness director, Derek Crawford. “This is a fantastic achievement,” he said. “Overcoming vast obstacles to make such huge changes is an accomplishment many could only dream of. Congratulations to Steph, I wish her well in any future challenges she chooses to take on.”

The Fitness Firs awards recognise outstanding member achievements. The winners will be announced on 14 January at a gala awards ceremony hosted by Fitness First in London.