Slimmer's incredible weight loss as she loses 12 STONE in just 12 months

Julie Jenkins, 50, weighed almost 29 stone at her heaviest over a year ago.

She suffered from a number of health conditions including diabetes, a high BMI and sleep apnoea.

But now, thanks to a combination of exercise and dietary changes, she now weighs just over 16-and-a-half stone.

After joining her local Slimming World group at Blackheath Central Methodist, her weight loss averaged at around 3.5lbs a week.

She said: "I have heard so many times that you won’t be able to lose weight until something clicks and that’s exactly what happened to me in May 2017. Unhappy with my life and approaching 50, I decided it was time to stop making excuses and take control of my life.

"I joined with a starting weight of 28 stone 11-and-a-half lbs. I’m ashamed to admit that now and I can’t believe I let myself get that way but 12 months after joining I have lost 12 stone five-and-a-half lbs.

"The more I lost, the more confident I became, and I began to like myself enough to start taking care of my appearance. I loved shopping for new clothes, getting my hair done and going out socially – all the things I’d previously avoided."

She now enjoys walking, playing with her grandchildren and dancing to music. She is now looking forward to booking her first holiday abroad – and even managed the tricky Christmas, New Year and Easter periods without going off her plan.

Julie also said her family, Slimming World consultant Ann Deeley and her friends at the group have supported her throughout her journey.

Motivation

Julie added: "My health started to improve, after losing 10 per cent of my weight my diabetes was reversed, my joints didn’t ache like they used to, my BMI went from 68.8 down to 37.9 and I am no longer dependant on my ventilator after being diagnosed 22 years ago with sleep apnoea and I am hoping to finally be discharged after my next appointment in July.

"It gave me motivation, it gave me a purpose, it gave me confidence and it gave me back my life. I used to read about people losing weight and now that person is me, I’m not at target yet but I know I will get there because I have an amazing support network around me.

"I want to inspire people, so I started posting my meals on Instagram (@juliejenkins549) and within a few hours of putting my Instagram account on Facebook I gained over 145 followers.

"I want someone to look at me and say because of you I didn’t give up. I did it and now I am truly living."