I have always had to watch my weight but during the last few years I really piled on the weight, mainly because I was eating too much of the wrong sort of food. I felt really unhappy with the way I looked and felt but couldn't get the motivation to do anything about it. Like many people, when we booked a holiday the thought of shorts and a bikini spurred me into action!

I joined a weight loss group and lost 45 lb through following a healthy eating plan and, most importantly, exercising. I started going to the gym and after I'd lost some weight I decided to start running. It was really hard work but I can now run (slowly) for over an hour. I could only do one and a half minutes when I started!

Now I have reached my ideal weight. I'm looking forward to this summer's holiday and, for once, I'm not worrying about how to cover up my fat. I feel brilliant!