A slimmer who transformed her life by losing 2st 9lb is using her success to shape a whole new career through helping other people change their lives and achieve their weight loss dreams too.

Trish Holland joined her local Slimming World group in Biddulph and dropped from 13st 11lb to 11st 2lb.

Now, she has trained as a consultant for Slimming World, the UK's largest group-based weight-loss organisation.

Receiving specific training in the role of diet and physical activity in weight management, as well as sophisticated behaviour-change techniques.

Members of the group are getting ready to welcome Trish as their new consultant when she takes over the group on Wednesday evenings for Congleton on 7th April.

Trish decided to join her local group as her weight had begun to impact both her physical and mental health.

Trish said: "I was struggling with breathlessness, high blood pressure, and just generally not liking myself.

"I was also aware that I was extremely unhappy. Having had bouts of depression over the years, I had started falling back into old coping methods to block out all of the negative thoughts I had about myself, turning to comfort eating and alcohol to try to blot out my feelings."

The latest Government figures reveal that around one in four adults are obese and it is estimated that, by 2034, this will increase to one in three.

Nearly 65% of the population in Cheshire East are now overweight or obese, and Trish says her new role has never been more important.

She says: "Obesity is becoming such a huge issue across the UK. When I first joined Slimming World as a member, I dreamt that I would one day be able to help other people to lose weight, and now I just cannot wait to get started.

"After losing 2st 9lb and completing my training, it is a privilege for me to be able to pass on the experience, insight, and understanding that helped me, so that I can give my members the support they need to get to their own target.

"Support is really the most important thing. It all starts with feeling that you're not alone. I couldn't have lost 2st 9lb without the weekly help, encouragement, and understanding off my own consultant and group.

"As someone who has lost weight myself, I know the challenges people can face, which is why, along with the group, I will be there to support every one of my members all the way to their chosen target weight.

"Setting targets, sharing recipes and other ideas, and working together as a group to overcome challenges and celebrate success are so important to a successful journey.

"That's why, at my Slimming World group, there'll be tons of support, encouragement, and fun."

Trish continued: "Like a lot of slimmer's, I had tried to lose weight so many times before by following numerous diets, but they were never sustainable because I'd always get tired of restricting what I ate.

"Slimming World's food optimising plan has changed the way I not only eat but how I think about food too.

"There are no banned foods, so there's no deprivation, the plan encourages you to eat lots of tasty, filling foods like pasta, rice, potatoes, lean meat and fish, so you never go hungry.

"It's all about balance and eating the not-so-healthy foods in moderation, we call these 'Syns'.

"I love that I can eat all my family-favourite meals like spaghetti bolognese, curry and even egg and chips without compromising my weight loss and as for alcohol, yes you can drink it but again making better choices.

"Slimming World isn't just about changing what you eat. Becoming more active is important too.

"Our body magic programme takes the threat out of activity by showing people, many of whom have unpleasant memories of being forced to take part in an activity at school, how they can build activity into their daily routine without having to take up traditional forms of exercise like going to the gym or running.

"Everything counts from walking to gardening to washing the car. I love walking my dog to get my body magic!

"As a consultant it's my role to create that warm, supportive atmosphere to get people sharing their ideas and experiences to help others - it's going to be great fun."

Like Trish, Slimming World consultants are all former members who have lost weight at their local group themselves, and groups are set up as micro-businesses in the heart of local communities.

There are currently around 4,000 Slimming World consultants across the UK and Ireland running 15,000 groups.

Consultants receive training in Slimming World's healthy eating and physical activity programmes and learn how to use the power of group support to empower members to take control of their own weight loss journey.

As self-employed micro-entrepreneurs, consultants also learn how to build a successful community-based business.

Trish says she cannot wait for the new challenges running her own business will bring.

"For me becoming a self-employed franchisee was a great option. I work full-time at Keele University as the students' mental health nurse, after working for over 25 years in the same role with the NHS.

"I knew being a Slimming World consultant was well-paid, flexible, and could fit around my busy lifestyle, so launching my own Slimming World group was an ideal option – I feel like I've got a brand-new career and I cannot wait to re-launch my group on April 7th now.

"I have a passion for helping people and with my experience as a mental health nurse, I feel that I can really help others to make those often-difficult changes, which is why I've decided to become a Slimming World consultant to help others feel the way I once felt."

Trish continued: "Being a mental health nurse I felt ashamed of not taking control sooner and being unable to cope with my own situation.

"It wasn't until the Covid-19 pandemic struck that I had enough time on my hands to really sit back and allow myself to truly think about it.

"I finally plucked up the courage to discuss my feelings properly with my husband Ian, and the rest of my family, at which point I began to realise how my behaviour and feelings towards myself had impacted them too.

"Ian had been worried about me for a while, but simply didn't know how to approach the subject fearing I'd react negatively, which I often would as I was so deeply unhappy, and he knew I'd be likely to turn to food and drink for comfort.

"He's noticed a big improvement, as I'm no longer breathless when I'm simply walking around our home.

"I'd love to encourage anyone reading who may feel similar to get in touch, as I really do understand how this can feel & have experienced the positivity that taking control of your health and weight can bring - it's changed my life, and I know it could change yours too.

"The biggest challenge I have faced when slimming is believing that I can do it and not drifting back into old habits, but with the support of my Slimming World friends in group and my family, I am reaching for the stars and I can almost touch them now.

"I know I'll achieve my personal achievement target.

"After losing weight, I've noticed so many changes. My mental health has improved so much, especially on a day-to-day basis, to the point where I have reduced my anti-depressant medication and will soon be coming off it completely.

"I feel so much happier in myself, and with the way I look too. I no longer experience constant fatigue and feel much more focused. I feel positive about the changes I've made and can see a much brighter future."

Laura Bounford, who runs Slimming World's Thursday Congleton groups and manages Trish as a 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 Trish's experience of being a successful Slimming World member and her kind and warm personality and a 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."

Trish's Slimming World group will re-launch on Wednesday 7th April - new and returning members are all welcome.

For more information or to join Trish and her group of experienced slimmers on their big re-launch night call 07880 730 551.

For more information, check out her Facebook page 'Congleton Slimming World With Trish'.