The Power Of One Success Story! - MiniMins.com

**Mini** · 19th July, 2007

Your story might be the source of inspiration that makes someone else feel that being slim and healthy is possible for when you have a lot of weight to lose you get overwhelmed and do feel like giving up as I think so many of us have tried and failed so many times before.

I was at rock bottom with my weight when I read a story in Women's Own and it was about Kate Aylesbury who lost 9 stone on LL.

She went from a size 28 to a size 12 in only six months and she looked amazing!

I never heard of LL but reading her story I could see it was a liquid diet and I had done something similar 19 years before and was very successful on it and I managed to keep my weight off until I gave up smoking.

It was Cambridge diet that I had done back then and in the mean time I had moved house and no one where I now live knew of anyone doing Cambridge diet or where I might get it.

However Lipotrim was available in my local Chemist and I started on my diet using Lipotrim and because I did not know much about it I googled Lipotrim and found Discovery Health forum where I was made feel very welcome by D_Q who took me under her wing and even though she was doing Cambridge Diet she gave me all the help and encouragement I needed right from the start, this was my first forum experience and a very good one at that, I feel very lucky I found it.

I asked my son to build me a web site and he did as I thought one day I might like to do something similar.

Time passed and the site my son built was gathering dust so to speak and then this time last year Discovery Health said they were closing down to do some new updates and that they would be back in about five days or so...

We the members of the forum went into panic as the forum was our support life line and some said they had other forums they were a part of and that they would be back after Discovery Health was back up and running.

I did not know how to use another forum and I felt nervous and anxious about going somewhere else, so I asked my son could he get the site up and running so we could use it while Discovery Health was down and this he did.

I posted on Discovery Health that I had a site we could use during the time that we would be without Discovery Health and that it was somewhere we could still all be together as a community without splitting up.

We set up home here on MiniMins and when Discovery Health went back up some decided to stay on here and some went back to Discovery Health and some decided to use both MiniMins and Discovery Health.

Most of the members who moved over here that day are still here, people I have come to love and respect and I am proud to call my friends for they have given of themselves to help so many people feel welcome here and to help them on their diet journey and it is this example of friendship, support and caring for one and another that carries on and has made MiniMins what we all know today.

We have grown from a couple of hundred members to now over 3,000.

So this is how MiniMins was born today one year ago...

The power of one inspirational story can cause a chain reaction that becomes bigger than the original story or those who play their part in it along the way.

I believe MiniMins is now bigger than anyone person...it is a community of like minded people on the same journey to Slimdom.

And the name MiniMins comes from a nickname that Brightness called me on Discovery Health.

**sonkie** · 19th July, 2007

Wow I for one am so glad you set this site up. It has been my life line.

Mrs Lard · 19th July, 2007

Dear Mini (and others)

I didn't realise the history of this amazing forum; well done for being the one to take the plunge. It's an inspirational story; how can we make sure that all new joiners get to see the history of minimins AND, in fact, current users? I bet many don't know of Mini's efforts (as well as her son's and others!)!

THANK YOU for making such a huge difference to so many. This story is TRULY inspirational.

Big kiss.

Mrs Lxxxxxxx

**Mini** · 20th July, 2007

Hi Mrs. L,

Kate Aylesbury was the trigger for me when I saw her in Women's Own and the point I was trying to make is that we must claim our success and let others know by telling our own success stories, for had she not been in Women's Own telling her story I would not of seen her and who knows where I would be today???

I wrote this today in response to thread started by a member called MaxieP

http://www.minimins.com/lighter-life...ight-like.html (Feeling guilty about losing weight like this)

saying how hard they find it to feel they deserve their weight loss of six stone as they found the diet so easy and that to say anything about it, feels like bragging...

I guess I am trying to say how important it is to tell your success story as it maybe the inspiration to light the fire under someone else.

I hope it is coming across like this.

Love Mini xxx

**Starlight** · 20th July, 2007

Well I for one am delighted Discovery had to close for maintenance, I know I wouldnt have done as well as I am without Minimins.

A big thank you to Mini and Pierce for this great site, its great to see it growing the way it is.

I think the story would be a great 'sticky' thread, its nice to hear how everything came about

**Pierce** · 20th July, 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by sonkie

Wow I for one am so glad you set this site up. It has been my life line.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mrs Lard

Dear Mini (and others)

I didn't realise the history of this amazing forum; well done for being the one to take the plunge. It's an inspirational story; how can we make sure that all new joiners get to see the history of minimins AND, in fact, current users? I bet many don't know of Mini's efforts (as well as her son's and others!)!

THANK YOU for making such a huge difference to so many. This story is TRULY inspirational.

Big kiss.

Mrs Lxxxxxxx

Quote:

Originally Posted by Starlight

Well I for one am delighted Discovery had to close for maintenance, I know I wouldnt have done as well as I am without Minimins.

A big thank you to Mini and Pierce for this great site, its great to see it growing the way it is.

I think the story would be a great 'sticky' thread, its nice to hear how everything came about

Thank you all for your lovely comments.

I have stuck the thread

Pierce

jane · 20th July, 2007

The others have already said all Iwant to say, & pierce has taken the decision to make it sticky before I began to nag him to do it but I'm not called motor-mouth for nothing.

I agree absolutley with Mini.
I'm only where I am today because of a lucky sequence of events.
My background, briefly is of staggering weight gain during four pregnancies, an delay in tackling the problem during plenty of post natal depression & finally, after losing 3 1/2 stone by myself over 18 months, I developed pneumonia ( but was too stupid to realise it). I was dragging myself about & responded to the lack of any strength by complying with my bodies demands for bread & biccies.
3 months & a course of antibiotics later I was fine again but pretty well all the weight had gone back on.
the best part of 2 years hard work...GONE. I began to see my future as shut in the world of fat with all the limitations that brings with it.
1.Driving into Worcester one morning I saw a bulletin board outside a local PO headlineing the amazing losses of Mandy from Evesham.
2. It stuck in my head, so when I got home I googled the Worcester Evening News & read the complete story on line.
The Name Cambridge Diet rang a bell in my miserable fat brain.
3. I then went to the Cambridge Web Site. Read all I could find, got the details of a Counsellor. Not as it happens the one who lives closest , but who covers my rural Area.
4. I paced the bedroom for 20 mins before summoning up the courage to ring her. She answered immediatly & was so easy to talk to,so kind & understanding, so confidence building without being pushy. I was hooked. Something clicked. It turned out she lives about 1 hr drive away down the motorway & there are counsellors within 10miles of me, but I'd chosen her & that was that.
5. As soon as we met I also knew that something different was about to happen. She made me believe in myself.

6. the first 2 weeks were hard,really hard, but any one can put in an extra effort for 2 weeks. Things were going well,I was at adrop in session with my CDC when I overheard her telling another customer about Minimins. I earwigged with all my might.

7. By bedtime i was a member here. Mini's has given me:
--Diversion when the nibbles have threatened.
--Information whenever i wanted it & saved my poor CDCfrom hundreds of phone calls.
--Support, reassurance, friendship, praise & a good laugh from people who understand in a way that the family can't.
--The opportunity to repay the debt in kind to other on the site.
--The confidence to Apply & Train for & now begin to work as a Cambridge counsellor.

I'm now a smidge over 6stone lighter. I feel better physically,mentally & spiritually. My husband gets a real thrill when someone tells him how good I'm looking. The children are no longer embarrassed by my size, (though they still are by everything I say).

All this from a glimpse of a newspaper hoarding from the car on a cold January morning.

Thanyou Mini, Pierce, My CDC, Dr Howard, forum members. xxx

Lyn8124 · 25th August, 2007

That was good to read, I had wondered how Minimins was born!

**Eclipse** · 25th August, 2007

I was with DH first, and then as Mini says, the site went down for a few days to update, and I crossed over to Minimins, it was the best thing I ever did. I found inspiration, support, laughter and sometimes tears, but there was always someone who would help, and hopefully someone I could help, as I first did Lipotrim 9 years ago. I love the site, I love the people, I love the friendships I have made and the stories therein.

Thank you ever so much Mini and Pierce, you have been part of my life for over a year and I love you all x x x x

DQ · 25th August, 2007

That took me back. And it is amazing how one success story can flick that switch in our brain.

Bravo to Mini and Pierce for this place, and

to each and every one of us that posts here each day, bringing a smile to people's faces, a little hope and masses of support.

**Isis** · 25th August, 2007

Took me back too

I came over here as Discovery Health went down and Minimins was born and never went back!!!!

In search of me · 26th August, 2007

What a great thread! Thanks all for sharing! I know I wouldnt have gotthis far without you all! Thanks for al the hard work!

**Hedgemag** · 26th August, 2007

Fantasic..What would we all do with out you....our lifeline....Thank you!

19th July, 2007	#1 (permalink)
Mini Minimins Admin Mini's Profile Albums Mini's Photo Gallery Join Date: 30th April, 2006 Posts: 18,052 Blog Entries: 5 Rep Power: 100	The Power Of One Success Story! Your story might be the source of inspiration that makes someone else feel that being slim and healthy is possible for when you have a lot of weight to lose you get overwhelmed and do feel like giving up as I think so many of us have tried and failed so many times before. I was at rock bottom with my weight when I read a story in Women's Own and it was about Kate Aylesbury who lost 9 stone on LL. She went from a size 28 to a size 12 in only six months and she looked amazing! I never heard of LL but reading her story I could see it was a liquid diet and I had done something similar 19 years before and was very successful on it and I managed to keep my weight off until I gave up smoking. It was Cambridge diet that I had done back then and in the mean time I had moved house and no one where I now live knew of anyone doing Cambridge diet or where I might get it. However Lipotrim was available in my local Chemist and I started on my diet using Lipotrim and because I did not know much about it I googled Lipotrim and found Discovery Health forum where I was made feel very welcome by D_Q who took me under her wing and even though she was doing Cambridge Diet she gave me all the help and encouragement I needed right from the start, this was my first forum experience and a very good one at that, I feel very lucky I found it. I asked my son to build me a web site and he did as I thought one day I might like to do something similar. Time passed and the site my son built was gathering dust so to speak and then this time last year Discovery Health said they were closing down to do some new updates and that they would be back in about five days or so... We the members of the forum went into panic as the forum was our support life line and some said they had other forums they were a part of and that they would be back after Discovery Health was back up and running. I did not know how to use another forum and I felt nervous and anxious about going somewhere else, so I asked my son could he get the site up and running so we could use it while Discovery Health was down and this he did. I posted on Discovery Health that I had a site we could use during the time that we would be without Discovery Health and that it was somewhere we could still all be together as a community without splitting up. We set up home here on MiniMins and when Discovery Health went back up some decided to stay on here and some went back to Discovery Health and some decided to use both MiniMins and Discovery Health. Most of the members who moved over here that day are still here, people I have come to love and respect and I am proud to call my friends for they have given of themselves to help so many people feel welcome here and to help them on their diet journey and it is this example of friendship, support and caring for one and another that carries on and has made MiniMins what we all know today. We have grown from a couple of hundred members to now over 3,000. So this is how MiniMins was born today one year ago... The power of one inspirational story can cause a chain reaction that becomes bigger than the original story or those who play their part in it along the way. I believe MiniMins is now bigger than anyone person...it is a community of like minded people on the same journey to Slimdom. And the name MiniMins comes from a nickname that Brightness called me on Discovery Health. __________________ "If hunger is not the problem, then eating is not the solution". Last edited by Mini : 19th July, 2007 at 06:47 PM.

19th July, 2007	#2 (permalink)
sonkie Moderator sonkie's Profile Albums sonkie's Photo Gallery Tournaments Won: 1 Join Date: 10th December, 2006 Location: plymouth, devon Posts: 16,051 My Mood: Rep Power: 273 Diet: Cambridge diet	Wow I for one am so glad you set this site up. It has been my life line. __________________ Lost 7 stone on LT & CD INCHES LOST - 61 INCHES Diet on hold for a while, so eating sensibly.....!

19th July, 2007	#3 (permalink)
Mrs Lard Likes to post Mrs Lard's Profile Albums Mrs Lard's Photo Gallery Join Date: 27th March, 2007 Location: Living close to London Posts: 562 Rep Power: 15 Diet: LighterLife	Dear Mini (and others) I didn't realise the history of this amazing forum; well done for being the one to take the plunge. It's an inspirational story; how can we make sure that all new joiners get to see the history of minimins AND, in fact, current users? I bet many don't know of Mini's efforts (as well as her son's and others!)! THANK YOU for making such a huge difference to so many. This story is TRULY inspirational. Big kiss. Mrs Lxxxxxxx __________________ Mrs Lard c/o The Lard Arms Come over and have a look at my LighterLife blog (a warts and all diary). Everyone welcome! And why not leave a comment, too? www.thelardarms.typepad.com

20th July, 2007	#4 (permalink)
Mini Minimins Admin Mini's Profile Albums Mini's Photo Gallery Join Date: 30th April, 2006 Posts: 18,052 Blog Entries: 5 Rep Power: 100	Hi Mrs. L, Kate Aylesbury was the trigger for me when I saw her in Women's Own and the point I was trying to make is that we must claim our success and let others know by telling our own success stories, for had she not been in Women's Own telling her story I would not of seen her and who knows where I would be today??? I wrote this today in response to thread started by a member called MaxieP http://www.minimins.com/lighter-life...ight-like.html (Feeling guilty about losing weight like this) saying how hard they find it to feel they deserve their weight loss of six stone as they found the diet so easy and that to say anything about it, feels like bragging... I guess I am trying to say how important it is to tell your success story as it maybe the inspiration to light the fire under someone else. I hope it is coming across like this. Love Mini xxx __________________ "If hunger is not the problem, then eating is not the solution". Last edited by Mini : 20th July, 2007 at 09:18 AM.

20th July, 2007	#5 (permalink)
Starlight Moderator Starlight's Profile Albums Starlight's Photo Gallery Tournaments Won: 259 Join Date: 28th December, 2006 Location: Glasgow Posts: 16,608 My Mood: Rep Power: 363 Diet: Weight Watchers Height: 5' 11" Start Date: Jan 09 2007	Well I for one am delighted Discovery had to close for maintenance, I know I wouldnt have done as well as I am without Minimins. A big thank you to Mini and Pierce for this great site, its great to see it growing the way it is. I think the story would be a great 'sticky' thread, its nice to hear how everything came about __________________ Jan 9 2007 - Started WeightWatchers Jan 9 2008 - lost 127lbs (9.1stones) Next Mini goal: 175lbs - 12.5 stones

20th July, 2007	#7 (permalink)
jane Opinionated jane's Profile Albums jane's Photo Gallery Join Date: 30th January, 2007 Location: Worcestershire Posts: 3,335 My Mood: Rep Power: 66 Diet: cambridge	The others have already said all Iwant to say, & pierce has taken the decision to make it sticky before I began to nag him to do it but I'm not called motor-mouth for nothing. I agree absolutley with Mini. I'm only where I am today because of a lucky sequence of events. My background, briefly is of staggering weight gain during four pregnancies, an delay in tackling the problem during plenty of post natal depression & finally, after losing 3 1/2 stone by myself over 18 months, I developed pneumonia ( but was too stupid to realise it). I was dragging myself about & responded to the lack of any strength by complying with my bodies demands for bread & biccies. 3 months & a course of antibiotics later I was fine again but pretty well all the weight had gone back on. the best part of 2 years hard work...GONE. I began to see my future as shut in the world of fat with all the limitations that brings with it. 1.Driving into Worcester one morning I saw a bulletin board outside a local PO headlineing the amazing losses of Mandy from Evesham. 2. It stuck in my head, so when I got home I googled the Worcester Evening News & read the complete story on line. The Name Cambridge Diet rang a bell in my miserable fat brain. 3. I then went to the Cambridge Web Site. Read all I could find, got the details of a Counsellor. Not as it happens the one who lives closest , but who covers my rural Area. 4. I paced the bedroom for 20 mins before summoning up the courage to ring her. She answered immediatly & was so easy to talk to,so kind & understanding, so confidence building without being pushy. I was hooked. Something clicked. It turned out she lives about 1 hr drive away down the motorway & there are counsellors within 10miles of me, but I'd chosen her & that was that. 5. As soon as we met I also knew that something different was about to happen. She made me believe in myself. 6. the first 2 weeks were hard,really hard, but any one can put in an extra effort for 2 weeks. Things were going well,I was at adrop in session with my CDC when I overheard her telling another customer about Minimins. I earwigged with all my might. 7. By bedtime i was a member here. Mini's has given me: --Diversion when the nibbles have threatened. --Information whenever i wanted it & saved my poor CDCfrom hundreds of phone calls. --Support, reassurance, friendship, praise & a good laugh from people who understand in a way that the family can't. --The opportunity to repay the debt in kind to other on the site. --The confidence to Apply & Train for & now begin to work as a Cambridge counsellor. I'm now a smidge over 6stone lighter. I feel better physically,mentally & spiritually. My husband gets a real thrill when someone tells him how good I'm looking. The children are no longer embarrassed by my size, (though they still are by everything I say). All this from a glimpse of a newspaper hoarding from the car on a cold January morning. Thanyou Mini, Pierce, My CDC, Dr Howard, forum members. xxx __________________ Jane Cambridge Diet Counsellor CD Start date 9.1.07 CDss is really quite fun (I think it makes me high..shhh don't tell anyone or it'll be made illegal)... though it can get just a little dull after a while. Since Aug 07. Maintainer-ish. 'til recently. Currently + many lbs (but minus 5 1/2 stone ) Urgent CD Repairs Started 27.5.08. Last edited by Pierce : 20th July, 2007 at 11:26 AM.

25th August, 2007	#8 (permalink)
Lyn8124 The JFM will not beat me! Lyn8124's Profile Albums Lyn8124's Photo Gallery Join Date: 20th April, 2007 Location: Location Location Posts: 977 Rep Power: 16 Diet: Cambridge 810	That was good to read, I had wondered how Minimins was born! __________________

25th August, 2007	#9 (permalink)
Eclipse Moderator Eclipse's Profile Albums Eclipse's Photo Gallery Yeti Sports 1- Long Shot Version Champion! Join Date: 20th July, 2006 Location: Penzance, Cornwall Posts: 3,453 My Mood: Rep Power: 99	I was with DH first, and then as Mini says, the site went down for a few days to update, and I crossed over to Minimins, it was the best thing I ever did. I found inspiration, support, laughter and sometimes tears, but there was always someone who would help, and hopefully someone I could help, as I first did Lipotrim 9 years ago. I love the site, I love the people, I love the friendships I have made and the stories therein. Thank you ever so much Mini and Pierce, you have been part of my life for over a year and I love you all x x x x __________________ Cheryl x x x LOST OVER 8 STONES ON LIPOTRIM/CAMBRIDGE DIET Maintained for over 3 and a half years Start weight - 18st 11lbs Goal Weight - 10st 10lbs (achieved March 2005) Maintaining at present (god knows how - or why even!)

25th August, 2007	#10 (permalink)
DQ Minimins Admin DQ's Profile Albums DQ's Photo Gallery Join Date: 20th July, 2006 Posts: 20,267 My Mood: Blog Entries: 2 Rep Power: 100 Diet: SS+ Height: 5' 10"	That took me back. And it is amazing how one success story can flick that switch in our brain. Bravo to Mini and Pierce for this place, and to each and every one of us that posts here each day, bringing a smile to people's faces, a little hope and masses of support. __________________ My Girls These are my three little 'angels' - they keep me sane, bring me joy, and remind me every day how Blessed I am Aug 08: - 10 lbs : Sep 08: - 6lbs : Oct 08 - STS

25th August, 2007	#11 (permalink)
Isis Moderator Isis's Profile Albums Isis's Photo Gallery Super Miner Champion!Tournaments Won: 4 Join Date: 21st July, 2006 Location: York, UK Posts: 8,154 My Mood: Rep Power: 192 Diet: CD SS again soon!!	Took me back too I came over here as Discovery Health went down and Minimins was born and never went back!!!! __________________ "Say what you mean. Mean what you say, but don't be mean when you say it" Power Phrases

26th August, 2007	#12 (permalink)
In search of me Needs a life In search of me's Profile Albums In search of me's Photo Gallery Join Date: 11th February, 2007 Location: South Wales Posts: 1,032 My Mood: Rep Power: 20 Diet: Lighter life	What a great thread! Thanks all for sharing! I know I wouldnt have gotthis far without you all! Thanks for al the hard work! __________________ Blog: http://mylighterlifejourneyr-fishface.blogspot.com/ Weight in pounds: 21.3.07: (Start) 28.3.07: Wk 1 (-7 ) Wk 2 (-5) Wk 3 (-2) Wk 4 (-2) Wk 5 (-1) Wk 6 (-6) Wk 7 (-4) Wk 8 (-4) Wk 9 (-2) Wk 10 (-1) Wk 11 (-2) Wk 12 (-2) Now on to development... Wk 13 (-5 - lucky for some!!) Wk 14 (-6) Wk 16 (-1) Wk 17 (+2...and no I've not cheated!) Wk 18 (-5) Wk 19 (-4) Wk 20 (-2) Wk 21(-3) Wk 22 (+1 - milk week) Wk 23 (0) Wk 24 (0) ...on to WW this isnt working & BP on the floor! Goals: Changed to feeling good/size 12 jeans rather than a weight goal! The photo album!: http://www.photobox.co.uk/album/5890740

26th August, 2007	#13 (permalink)
Hedgemag Cambridge Diet Counsellor Hedgemag's Profile Albums Hedgemag's Photo Gallery Join Date: 14th November, 2006 Location: Holme, Peterborough Posts: 6,652 My Mood: Blog Entries: 14 Rep Power: 118 Diet: Cambridge	Fantasic..What would we all do with out you....our lifeline....Thank you! __________________ http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=579123896 Week 1 = 7 1/2lbs Week 2 = 2lbs Week 3 = 2lbs Week 4 = 3lbs Week 5 = 1lb my own fault