'˜Bored' overweight woman slims down after making bucketlist

Picture: Laura before and after beginning the bucket list

Laura Lawson, from Aberdeen, said she was overweight, unhappy and ‘dead bored’ working in the oil industry in Aberdeen.

The 27-year-old wrote a list of 300 things she wanted to do, including flying a plane, performing in a play, sky diving, swimming with sharks and losing 45lb.

As well as completing half of the challenges in four years, she also got married in September 2014.

Picture: Laura is more than half way through her bucket list

“Life was just boring before, I had a dead end job and was staring at a screen not learning anything,” Laura said.

“I spent nights locked in my room and weekends going out drinking. It was the same thing in and out every week.”

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She continued: “The inspiration came slowly when I was fed up with my life and decided I was the only who could change it.

“It started out small, applying for jobs, eating healthier, being a bit more active, and I signed up for the bungee jump with friends.”

After enjoying the bungee jump, Laura started looking for other things to try for the first time.

Her list included everything from the usual - skydiving, swimming with sharks and flying a plane - to the unusual - go in a submarine to the bottom of the sea and zipline over alligators, all of which she’s ticked off her list now.

Some of the smaller items on the list include learning to cook, perform in a play, gain qualifications and run a 5k.

Laura continues to add items to her list. Of the 300 items already on it, she has completed over 150.

As well as completing once in a lifetime experiences, she has also found time to give back.

So far she has raised £1,000 for charity, arranged a group blood donation, volunteered at the National Trust and sponsored a child through the Make A Wish Foundation.

“My top experiences have been flying a plane, leaning off the CN tower in Toronto, gaining qualifications which led to a new career, seeing the northern lights in Iceland and losing 45lbs.

“Working through my list has made me learn so much about myself, what I like, what I don’t like.

“I’m healthier, happier and more confident and would totally recommend everyone creates their own list. It’s an amazing feeling ticking off something you want to do.

“And I have an amazing husband David who joins me on all of this,” she added.