As I reached the front of the long queue for a Harry Potter ride at Universal Studios Florida, I was so excited. But when I took my seat, I couldn’t get the safety bar over my stomach. No matter how hard I pulled, it just wouldn’t click into place. Instead of being whisked away on a magical journey through Hogwarts, I was brought back to my own school days. I’d always felt I was the odd one out – like I didn’t fit in or I wasn’t good enough – and that all came flooding back.

After the holiday, I became determined to make a change for good. I went along to my local Slimming World group and, as I listened to the Consultant explaining the healthy eating plan, Food Optimising, I realised this was like nothing I’d tried before.  

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My previous weight loss attempts had involved restricting myself – something I could never sustain for long. I’d always go back to my old ways of eating, and put on even more weight.  

I expected Slimming World to be the same, but as soon as my Consultant, Karen, told me I’d be able to eat my favourite foods (like steak and chips) and still lose weight, I was hooked. I went away that week and made some simple changes, such as choosing lean meat and not cooking with oil. I ate real, hearty meals, and I must admit, I wondered if it was too good to be true. The result at weigh-in proved to me it wasn’t, though – in my first week I lost 8lbs (4kg), and I couldn’t believe it. I remember thinking: ‘I can actually do this!’ 

Everything clicked into place when I realised that my fellow group members had exactly the same struggles as I did. Being around like-minded people – who fully accepted me for me – helped to alleviate my feelings of guilt and shame.

A few of the other members started a local walking group in Cromer and I decided to join. We get our steps in and talk about life, and we’ve all become such good friends. Exercise always used to feel like a chore, but this is social time that I look forward to each week. 

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When I achieved my target weight loss of 6st 3lbs (39.5kg), I returned to Florida, determined to make good memories to wipe out the bad. That moment when I couldn’t fit on the ride was a real wake-up call for me, but I didn’t know then how that experience was going to change my life forever. Being able to go back and reflect on that – as well as enjoy every single ride – was the most amazing feeling. 

I’ve now maintained my weight loss for more than eight years. I’m so passionate about Slimming World and what it did for me, I want to shout it from the rooftops! I trained as a Consultant, and when I got the opportunity to take over my local group, I jumped at the chance – and now I support more than 400 members. Being able to help others find the same happiness and self-belief that I’ve found is the most rewarding job. 

We’re bombarded with so many different weight loss methods nowadays, especially on social media. Lots of companies promise the earth – and a quick fix sounds really appealing when you’re desperate to lose weight – but the only way to see long-term results is to make lasting changes that fit into your real life. Getting support is crucial, because losing weight isn’t easy – if it was, so many of us wouldn’t be overweight. Slimming World gave me the tools and support to do it in a way that worked for me, and I’m proof that you can lose weight and keep it off! 

Weight loss will vary due to your individual circumstances and how much weight you have to lose.