The classroom that made the new me

BEING a hairdresser, surrounded by mirrors, having zero confidence in myself was an every day feeling for me.

My joints were starting to ache and I was also having circulation problems in my legs from standing all day during work. Like most people, I tried various weightloss groups, I’d lose a bit a bit of weight and pile it all back on again – and more.

I would walk with a few friends in my free time but found it tough on the body.

When we had a family wedding in April 2017, I saw the pictures of myself and I was just shocked. I couldn’t believe I looked so bad, bloated and just fat.

I bumped into a friend one day and didn’t recognise her; she told me about Slimming World and that I should give it a go.

It took me over a month to pluck up the courage to go to yet another class. Going in that door, feeling nervous, embarrassed, emotional, was very hard.

I was welcomed by my lovely consultant, Marion, who had a big smile on her face and welcomed me to take a seat and grab a coffee. Listening to weight-loss stories from others was amazing. I was thinking to myself after hearing someone having lost three stone: ‘ Wouldn’t that be great’. So I took to the scales and wasn’t surprised at what it read, but Marion didn’t judge me, and in two weeks I had over half a stone lost. I made Tuesday evenings about me, going to the group every week and getting the support I needed. And I even joined the social team.

My family couldn’t believe all the food I was eating – stir fry or omelettes are my favourites because they are quick and filling.

I was a picker when it came to eating, and I loved sweets. They don’t bother me anymore.

I am never hungry because I can eat the things I enjoy by making better choices about the way I eat.

My shopping has changed, I’m spending most of my time in the fresh-food aisles, and I haven’t bought a jar of processed food in two years.

I did hit a wall here and there, where I had no weight loss for a while, but I just knew I had to stick with it and get back to the plan. Now I love myself, enjoy the shops, I am more confident, and I fly up those hills with my walking buddies a few times a week, buzzing with energy.

The buzz that I get now is when I meet someone that I haven’t met in a while, and they don’t recognise me; I am just on cloud nine.

I am a firm believer that I would never have got there without the support I got every week from my consultant, Marion, my group and my family.

I have now become a Slimming World consultant and I really want to give to others what was given to me and, hopefully, inspire them with my story.