A Slimming World member from Hatfield has revealed the secrets to her incredible life-saving 18st weight loss.
Ceri Knight joined the group back in 2015 and has gone on to lose 18-and-a-half stone, dropping from 31st down to 13st.
She admitted the decision was a life-saving one, saying: "I’ve been overweight and struggled with my weight all my life, but after being told I didn't have much longer to live and wouldn't see my daughter grow up, I was spurred on to make the change.
"I feel like a new woman since losing weight, and in fact, I look so different that people who I haven’t seen for a while often can’t believe I’m the same person.
"For me though it’s the change on the inside that’s been the greatest – I’m happier, healthier and much more confident now."
The 52-year-old admitted that she was "embarrassed" by her size, and described walking through the doors at Hatfield's Slimming World group as "one of the hardest things I’ve ever done".
Instead, she found a supportive group who she credits as playing a key role in her weight loss journey.
"Walking through those doors was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done," Ceri said.
"I was embarrassed about my size and scared that I might be the biggest person there. I needn’t have worried though, everyone there was so friendly, especially my consultant, and I was so relieved when I found out that my weight was confidential between me and her.
"Since then, I’ve made so many friends at the group and I honestly don’t think I could have done it without their support each week."
And Ceri credits Slimming World's food plan for helping her lose weight, continuing: "People think slimming means going hungry, eating nothing but salad or obsessively counting every calorie you eat, but it’s not like that at all.
"I still enjoy all my favourite meals like burgers, chips and roast dinners, but I’ve learned how to make small changes like using lean meat or cooking with low calorie spray instead of oil or butter.
"It fits in so well with the rest of my family and we can all eat the same meals. I know that I haven’t gone on a diet, this is a change that I’ve made for life and I have the tools I need to stay like this forever."
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