I started putting on weight as a teenager, when I suddenly had the freedom to spend my pocket money on sweets and chocolate on the way to school. I’d get home and eat sugary cereal or toast then have a big, comforting evening meal – always with bread and butter. I was bullied about my size, and food became the thing I turned to for comfort.

Being overweight affected me far beyond the number on the scales. It shaped how I dressed, how I carried myself and how I thought others saw me. I hid behind clothes, tattoos and accessories, trying to distract attention from the body I felt so insecure about. Making friends was hard because I assumed people would be embarrassed to be seen with me.

The turning point came when I was told I needed double jaw surgery. During Covid, my weight had crept up, and my orthodontist warned me that my BMI was almost too high for the procedure. I was already deeply insecure about my crossbite, so hearing that I might not be able to have the surgery was devastating. That was the moment I knew something had to change.

Initially I tried calorie counting and lost some weight, but the moment I stopped weighing and measuring every single thing, it went back on. I found it restrictive and impossible to sustain.

I’d been a Slimming World member before and lost 4st (25.4kg), so I knew the plan worked for me. I decided to rejoin my local Abergavenny group – and that’s where I met my new Consultant, Shelly.

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Shelly welcomed me with open arms. Her positivity, encouragement and genuine passion for helping people achieve their goals has played a huge part in my journey.

Food Optimising completely changed my relationship with food. I could still enjoy the things I loved – just in a way that supported my weight loss.

As a vegan and self-confessed carb queen, it was liberating to know that pasta, potatoes and so many of my other favourite foods were Free Foods. I didn’t have to go hungry – and that freedom made all the difference.

Find out more about Slimming World’s healthy eating plan, Food Optimising

Before Slimming World, I wasn’t active at all. I’m lucky enough to live near some mountains, but any attempt to walk up them left me completely out of breath – I’d only try it once or twice a year. I saw exercise as a chore – sometimes even a punishment.

Slimming World’s active lifestyle programme changed that. I started with gentle walks, just trying to get my steps in. Eventually, I gave running a go… and I fell in love with it. It’s transformed my fitness and done wonders for my mental health. I’ve since added swimming and badminton into the mix, too.

I slowly built up my fitness and enjoyed it so much that I went on to complete a half-marathon, raising funds for Alzheimer’s Research UK. If you’d told the old Bethan how active she’d become, she’d have thought you were mad!

We’ll support you to create new active habits you’ll love

And now? I’m training for the London Marathon! I’ll be raising funds for Cancer Research UK, in memory of my grandparents who sadly passed away from cancer. My family has always given to cancer charities, and I can’t think of a better way to raise money than by running my first ever 26.2 mile event – and the iconic London Marathon at that!

Slimming World didn’t just help me slim down – it opened up my world. My confidence has grown in ways I never expected. I’ve made more friends in the past couple of years than I did throughout my entire teens.

I’ve found my voice in group and at my running club, connecting with people in a way I never felt able to before. I’ve rediscovered fashion, wearing outfits I used to admire from afar, and finally feeling proud to show off my tattoos.

For the first time, I’m ready to say to the world: this is me!

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