Guest post by Gem from Gem Seren

I have always been overweight. I think from the age of 10 I  noticed that I was bigger than all of my friends and it used to bother me a lot. I used to dance ballet and tap and love it, but gave up when I was 13 as I thought I was too fat to continue. I could never wear the same clothes as my friends and had to wear adult size clothes. By the time I was 16 I was a size 14/16 and after I met my first boyfriend my weight went up and up and I was a size 16/18 by the time I was 18. My diet was terrible and I was having takeaways at least 2 times a week. 

I always used to tell myself that I was overweight and there was nothing I could do about it, even though looking back my diet was terrible. I was never happy with the way I looked and was quite unhealthy. 

At 23 and after my second baby I was pushing a size 20. One day I decided that enough is enough; I wanted to loose weigh and get to a healthy BMI. I finally accepted that it was my fault and there was something I could do about it. I wanted to set a good example to my children by being fit and active with a healthy diet. 

I knew I couldn't do it by myself as I had tried and failed many diets, including calorie counting and slim-fast. I looked into the Cambridge diet but found that to be too costly, and wanted to do a diet where I could eat the same meals as my family. 

I joined a local Slimming World group in August 2011, and found the plan great to fit around my busy family orientated life. The whole family could eat the same meals as me as the plan is based on a healthy low fat, high fibre diet. The amount of food you are allowed on the plan means that there is no need to ever get hungry. 

Going to the group every week is really motivating, and I have met a lot of lovely people who are all so friendly and supportive. I am quite an introverted person and it was very hard for me to join the group but I am so glad I did it has truly changed my life. I know without the group I would have given up by now but going every week and seeing how well my friends have done really motivates me.  

I always have a treat once a week, usually on a Thursday after weighing. I love Mexican food so have Fajitas or Quesidillas I don't go too crazy. Once in a while I will have a take away but honestly I have gone off them so much now and prefer chicken and rice. 

It hasn't been plain sailing and I have had quite a few weeks where I have had a gain, my biggest being 3lbs. But I know that its not easy and I have to keep going.  

I have lost 34 pounds to date, which is 2 Stone 6 pounds. My BMI has gone from Obese at 32.6 to overweight at 26.6. I was pushing a size 20 before I started and now I am a comfortable 14, sometimes a 12. 

I still want to loose at least another 21 pounds, and have a way to go as my weight loss has slowed down a lot. I seem to have hit a bit of a wall at the moment with my weight fluctuating, but I am confident that I will do it, I know if I stick to the plan 100% I will loose weight. 

I have just started doing a weekly weight loss update post every Thursday over on my blog, and plan to do posts on some of my favourite slimming world friendly recipes. 

Gem x