A SLIMMER who transformed her life by losing three and a half stone is using her success to shape a whole new career of helping other people change their lives and achieve their weight loss dreams too.

Fiona Gerrard joined her local Slimming World group in Warrington 18 months ago and dropped from 15 stone 8lbs to 11 stone 11lbs.

Fiona first joined a Slimming World group six years ago as she knew her weight was ‘spiralling out of control’ and suffered from dangerously high blood pressure.

She said: “Walking through those doors was the most daunting thing ever, I was so embarrassed and worried what people would say about me but within minutes those feelings subsided as the whole group were amazingly friendly and that eased my anxiety immediately.”

“My first impression of being in a Slimming World group was that each and every member was traveling along the same path and there was never any judgement, there was so much compassion and genuine care for each other.”

She lost just under four stone but life got in the way and she stopped going to group.

The ‘light bulb moment’ struck when Fiona went on an all-inclusive holiday to Mexico in December 2018.

She said: “Sitting by the pool, I felt so uncomfortable in my own skin. I wanted to cover myself up so no one could see my body, I hated myself so much that I decided enough was enough I had to take control of my eating habits!”

Now, Fiona is due to start training as a Consultant for Slimming World at their national training academy in Derbyshire before opening her own group in Ellesmere Port.

Looking to the future, she said: “What was different this time was that I had the support of my partner, who is also a Slimming World consultant, as well as the group dynamic and making friends for life which made the experience of going to group enjoyable and made those tough weeks bearable.

“Since losing three and a half stone, I’ve become much more confident and happier the way I look and feel. Instead of shying away I can now look forward to being in group pictures and I can’t explain the feeling of being able to fit into a size 14.”

Bonnie Wilson, who runs Slimming World’s Fairfield Hall group in Connah’s Quay and will manage Fiona as her Team Developer, said: “Slimming World Consultants are chosen for their positive outlook and because they genuinely care about the health and happiness of others. With Fiona’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.”

Fiona’s sessions will be launched at Stanney Grange Community Centre on Friday, November 29 and will meet weekly at 5.30pm.