A SWINDON slimmer who changed her life by losing two-and-a-half stone wants to help others follow in her footsteps.

Dianne Baldwin dropped from a size 18 to a size 10 after joining her nearest Slimming World group and is now leading her own group after training as a consultant for the company.

She held her first session at the Coleview Community Centre at 6.30pm on Monday and is looking forward to supporting others on their weight-loss journey.

She said: “Support is really the most important thing. It all starts with feeling that you’re not alone. I couldn’t have lost my weight without the weekly help, encouragement and understanding of my own consultant and group.

“Like a lot of slimmers, I had tried to lose weight so many times before by following different diets but they were never sustainable because I’d always get tired of restricting what I ate.

“I thought I was destined to struggle with my weight for the rest of my life, but this food plan was different, I’d found a way to lose weight without starving myself.

“Becoming more active is important too. Everything counts from walking to gardening to washing the car.

“Obesity is becoming such a huge issue across the UK and when I first joined Slimming World as a member, I never dreamed that I would end up helping other people to lose weight, but now I just can’t wait to get started.

“As someone who has lost weight myself, I know the challenges people can face. That’s why, at my Slimming World group, there’ll be tons of encouragement and fun.

“It’s a privilege for me to be able to pass on the experience, insight and understanding that helped me so that I can give my members the support they need.

“As a consultant it’s my role to create a warm, supportive atmosphere to get people sharing their ideas and experiences to help others.”

Along with the group sessions, Dianne will individually help each member on the way to their chosen weight by setting targets, sharing recipes and ideas, and working together to overcome challenges and celebrate successes.

Research by the weight loss help group found that nearly two in three UK adults have found it more difficult to manage their weight during the pandemic.

Members who attended their weekly group 45 times in the year lost 30 per cent of their body weight, equating to an average of five stone each.

Amy Linsey runs two Slimming World groups and manages Dianne as a team developer. She feels proud of Dianne’s progress and is thrilled that the student has now become the master with this takeover of the Coleview group.

Amy said: “Our consultants are chosen for their positive outlook and they genuinely care about the health and happiness of others.

“With Dianne’s experience of being a successful Slimming World member and her kind and warm personality and great sense of humour I just know that she’ll be an amazing support to members, cheering them all the way to their target weight.”

For more information, pop along on Monday or call Dianne on 07542 743249.