Lara Robbins from Cornwall has lost almost six stone, dropping from a dress size 24 to a 14, and it's all down to walking her dogs. Her achievement has resulted in success invthe Kennel Club’s Get Fit with Fido Challenge.

Lara has gone from weighing almost 18 stone to a current weight of around 12 stone, dropping five dress sizes in the process.

Lara, aged 33, decided she needed to take action when she saw a photograph of herself at a dog show. She then made the decision to lose weight and started exercising with her six dogs including taking up agility competitions.

Since then she has lost 5 stone and 11lbs - the equivalent weight of two of her Border Terriers and one of her Springer Spaniels put together. Lara is hoping to lose another stone to achieve her goal, which would mean her overall weight loss will be a staggering seven stone.

Lara said: “I’m so thrilled to win the competition, as I really didn’t expect to. I entered the Kennel Club’s Get Fit with Fido campaign as an incentive to help me lose weight and push me towards my goal. Walking the dogs and being involved in agility competitions has helped me shed the weight. Having my dogs has motivated me to exercise, and means I’ll be able to enter even more agility shows in future.”

Lara has six dogs – two Springer Spaniels, a working Cocker Spaniel and three Border Terriers. She has entered over 200 dog agility shows over the years and now hopes to take it to the next stage and compete at championship level with her Border Terrier, Magners who has recently just qualified for grade 7.

“For anyone that wants to lose weight, my advice would be to walk your dog, and look into all the different dog sports that you can do," said Lara. "Your dog keeps you motivated and makes exercise fun. When it comes to food don’t be afraid to treat yourself to the occasional meal out, as you still have to live a little, but just become aware of what you’re eating.

“After all this hard work, I’m looking forward to treating myself to a stay at the dog friendly Milestone Hotel and my makeover/photo shoot with Rosemary Conley Diet and Fitness Clubs.”

The Kennel Club’s Get Fit with Fido Challenge encourages dogs and their owners to get fit together. The competition will launch again in January 2013.

To find out more about the Get Fit with Fido challenge visit www.thekennelclub.org.uk/getfitwithfido



Lara before she lost weight.