Sky’s the limit
Reporter: Helen Korn
Date published: 08 February 2011
I was too heavy for parachute dream... but now I’m jumper size!
A HAIRDRESSER who was too heavy to jump out of a plane shed five dress sizes to complete her lifetime ambition.
At over 14st and only 5ft 2in, Rachel McNamara, of Lees, was over the maximum weight restriction allowed for women to complete a parachute jump.
The mother-of-two (32), who described her former self as a “beefcake”, can now take part in the jump for children’s charity, CAFT — Children’s Adventure Farm Trust — in June.
But it was a struggle to get there. She was a size 20 and had a habit of supping a few too many pints — not to mention her love of a full English breakfast, daily pie for lunch, Friday night curries and all too familiar chippy run.
Rachel had some serious weight to lose, often lagging far behind her mum when they went shopping in town.
Rachel, who is now a size 10, said: “I was always too heavy to do a parachute jump before, but I can’t wait now.
“When I saw all the celebrities doing it on the jungle programme on telly, I thought, brilliant.
“Most people would dread doing something like that, but it’s a dream for me.
“My friend, Yolanda, who I am jumping with, told me about the charity and I thought it was great, but she said the weight restriction was 13st with allowance for clothes, so I knew I had to do it in time.”
Most centres impose weight restrictions based on their equipment, with lower weight limits of between 12 and 13st for women, depending on height, in the interests of safety.
With help from Springhead Slimming World group, Rachel curbed the cravings and dropped five dress sizes over 14 months.
She said: “It was hard losing the weight. I have lost weight before, but I was struggling this time.
“But when I joined the group they were great. I’ve made so many friends there, and I don’t feel I am snacking on the wrong things because I have a plan I can easily follow.
“I did the Race for Life last year and I’m doing it again this year. I absolutely love running now and my son comes with me which is great. Now I can roll around on the floor play-fighting with him instead of just lying there like a beached whale. I was a right beefcake.”
Yolanda Martinez (33) said it was thanks to Rachel that she had joined the slimming group and was looking forward to being able to do the jump in Cheshire, in aid of the charity close to her heart.
Rachel’s consultant at Springhead Slimming World, Helen Ogborn, said the group had voted her Miss Slinky as they were so thrilled with her new shape.
The Slimming World group runs at Springhead Community Centre, Ashes Lane, Oldham on Mondays at 7pm and Wednesdays at 5.30 and 7pm.
