‘My confidence is sky-high – I can do anything!’

Jessica Ferguson, 23, is a social researcher from Stockton-on-tees, County Durham. She says, “During my final year at uni, I went on a 12-week trip to South Africa to do voluntary work, but the family I stayed with fed me generously with fried chicken and rice, and I snacked on large chocolate bars. I came back feeling heavier and my size 18 clothes were too tight. I knew I wanted to lose weight, so I joined my local Slimming World group, hoping to get into healthier habits. After learning the plan, I stuck to it every week and lost 2st in a few months. I felt my confidence rising, so when I was asked on a date by my now-boyfriend Harry, I said yes – something I wouldn’t have done before. Six months after joining Slimming World, I’d lost 3st. “I moved to Newcastle for my first fulltime job and was determined to make a change. So I started doing 10 minutes of walking and five minutes of running, then I built it up until I was running non-stop for 30 minutes, three days a week. I started going to the gym with Harry, too. I was surprised how much I enjoyed exercise – I was fitter and had endless energy. Last November, I stepped on the scales and was at my target. I’d lost over 5st, going from 15st 4lbs and a size 18 to 9st 6lbs and a size 8. My confidence was so high, I volunteered to lead a talk in front of 200 people for work. I went for a promotion and my career’s going from strength to strength – I feel I could do anything! Now I know I can take on any challenge that comes my way.”