EMILY Duggan was getting used to covering herself up with baggy clothes and her confidence was at an all-time low. When she saw photographs of herself on holiday it was a turning point.

Now Emily has shed nine stone in weight and says she feels like a different person.

Emily, 25, from Bradford researched Slimming World for nine months before she finally plucked up the courage to join her local group and step onto the scales for the first time. Now nine stone lighter, she's loving life and filled with a confidence she didn't know she had.

“I knew I had to do something. I couldn’t bear to look at myself on the holiday pictures, I hated the way I looked but I was too embarrassed to step on scales in front of someone, so I avoided joining a slimming group," says Emily. "I tried to lose weight at home, but I found it difficult. I knew I needed some support and motivation. So, in November 2019, I decided to give it a go and joined Nikol's Slimming World group in Wibsey."

Adds Emily: “I was so nervous on my first night but my consultant, Nikol, was amazing. I was given such a with a warm welcome. I sat down for the new member talk and Nikol shared her own journey. Knowing that she had lost over six stone with Slimming World, I instantly felt at ease and I knew she understood how I felt and the challenges I was facing. I really don’t know why I didn’t join before.

“I didn't know what to expect in my first week, I’d eaten so much food. I had always been a snacker, snacking on crisps and chocolate, I felt hungry all the time, I was constantly in and out of the kitchen for more. I was absolutely blown away when I stood on the scales and I saw I’d lost 7lb (after the first week). I could not believe it. It gave me the determination and motivation to carry on.”

“I love the food optimising plan and make sure I have three big filling meals. There's so much choice; pasta, meat, vegetables, so I am not constantly snacking. If I do need to snack, I will have 'low syn' chocolate treats as nothing is banned, I can still have a little bit of the treats I like. I also love fruit so that fills me up.

"Slimming World has also made me realise how much I love cooking and finding new recipes to try too.”

Consultant Nikol Rainbank says: “Emily has been a huge inspiration in our group and to see her confidence grow with every weight loss award has been amazing.

"Our members are always shocked at how much you can eat on the Slimming World food optimising plan and we know it is possible to see big results in your first week through eating healthy, satisfying, nutritious meals. We also know that the more weight our members lose in their first week the more likely you are to reach your weight-loss goals in the long term."

Emily, who has continued her weight loss journey in lockdown, says: “I can’t believe how active I am, my habits have completely changed, not just with food but with exercise too.

"I work in an office at Copthorne Primary School in Bradford, so I'm sat at a desk, the only exercise I used to do would be to walk to the bus stop and back or my regular trips to the fridge but now I'm doing HIIT workouts which is really helping me mentally as well as physically.

"I have even got a smart/tracker watch for Christmas, so it encourages me to get my steps in every day. With the combination of a great start, to learning about food optimising, the ongoing support from Nikol and the group, the sharing, the tips, the recipes, and the support to build activity into my daily routine, I feel amazing.

"The Slimming World virtual service has really helped me throughout lockdown it has kept me going to my nine stone award. I have gained so much confidence in myself and the way I look, I can now walk into a shop and buy clothes without feeling uncomfortable and I am happy when I see myself in my holiday pictures."

Lyn Long, Slimming World West Yorkshire District Manager, says: “If members allow lockdown to press the pause button on their weight loss progress - or worse, bring it to a complete stop and begin to regain weight - they’re going to find themselves storing up health problems, both physical and psychological, for the future and, potentially, put themselves at greater risk of suffering more serious symptoms of Covid-19.

“Lockdown doesn’t have to mean abandoning your weight loss. Whatever the format, what doesn’t change is our combination of friendship, expertise, motivation, inspiration and weight loss know-how."

* Visit slimmingworld.co.uk or call Nikol on 07887 402274.