My journey, my destination - my sparkle was back!

Summer 2022, the turning point for me!

I was the heaviest I'd ever been and I felt it. I avoided the scales because I knew it.

Clothes shopping for my up and coming holiday was a nightmare, having to buy sizes I'd never imagined I'd be, but I was.

On holiday I hid behind my family in photographs because I hated the weight I'd got to.

I didn't really want to be in them as looking back at the pictures just knocked my confidence.

I decided to join the gym mid-July with my friend but deep down I knew this along wouldn't help.

I needed to make another change, a lasting lifestyle change.

That's when I decided I was going to join Slimming World.

However I put this off until after my holiday and until I started back to work after the summer break as I knew I knew I needed routine to keep me on track.

Fast forward September 1, 2022 I joined Slimming World in the Gasyard.

Walking through the doors, surprisingly I didn't have a feeling of dread but rather that of determination!

Listening to the group leader introduce the plan, I knew this would definitely fit into my lifestyle.

I loved that I didn't have to make drastic changes and cut everything out.

It didn't sound like a diet as there was nothing I couldn't have. Rather, it was about making subtle changes to make a lasting impact.

Standing on the scales for my first weigh in, made me think enough is enough at 12st 2lbs.

I set a goal to lose 3st 2lb, a target weight of 9st.

My first week I was constantly reading my food optimising book and trying to get to know the plan. I lost 3.5lb on my first week and I was thrilled.

I not only focused on eating but on my body magic too. Keeping food diaries and using the Slimming World app helped me to keep track of my syns and also helped me log my activity so that I could achieve not only weight loss awards but body magic awards too. However, six weeks on, the group folded as there wasn't enough members. That's when I joined Ciara's group in Pennyburn.

Ciara was so friendly and welcoming and the group were amazing.

I loved listening to their stories and meal ideas and also sharing mine.

Staying at the group kept me focused and on track. Everyone in the group helped me through the good weeks with their words of encouragement and were an even better support during the weeks that hadn't gone as well as I'd have liked, spurring me to get back on track.

By Christmas 2022 I'd lost 2 stone, a great present for me.

Then, by Christmas 2023, my dream came true when I exceeded my target with my weigh in two days before Christmas being 8st 12lb! I was absolutely buzzing and I felt great.

Not only was I 3st 4lb lighter but I'd much more energy and felt much more confident about my body. My Christmas present to myself, my sparkle was back!

Being a target member now, I still return to group every week to continue to be inspired and to inspire others on their weight loss journey.

If anyone is thinking about joining Slimming World my advice would be to take the bull by the horns, bite the bullet and join, you won't be disappointed.

I'm sure you will love the plan as much as I do!

To find out more about joining your nearest group:- visit www.slimmingworld.co.uk or check out Slimming World Derry on Facebook.