Programme: Rapid Start: 15 stones Finish: 10 st 9 lbs

I started as a size 22 and have gradually reduced to a size 14 but as the weight came off and the clothes became loose and then baggy and then unwearable I would feel giddy at the prospect of a lower size. And all this was happening so fast.

I started home aerobics after about two weeks as advised, just 20 mins every other day to start with and increasing to 40 mins every day. I was persuaded to do a 5 km walk for Cancer Research and I trained hard for that as well. I felt really good on the day in my new track suit power walking round with my head high I was about half way through the journey at this stage and it was a real boost.

My entire reduction journey has taken 14.5 weeks. I never cheated, I kept to the rules and it worked.

I am now on maintenance because through this I have learnt that it is this part where I failed previously. I cannot return to the life I had before as my body has less mass and requires even less food than my 15 stone body.

I have had a good look at myself in the mirror and it’s looking better. I can now look up in the hotel bathrooms on holiday and not avoid looking at the horrible fat person looking back at me.

I certainly have more confidence and I am looking forward to instead of dreading the Christmas do where cocktail dresses are the norm.

Confident, happy, healthier.

Trish Goss.