A WOMAN has set up her own Slimming World group in Salford Priors after losing more than 10 per cent of her total body weight.

After having to undergo a hysterectomy in her 20s Kelly Gibbons was left with depression and her self-esteem plummeted.

In the years which followed she became withdrawn and frequently found herself over-eating as a coping mechanism.

By March this year she had ballooned to 14st 13lbs and was wearing size 20 clothes. She felt isolated and unhealthy and suffered with breathlessness.

Mrs Gibbons, aged 37, said she knew she had to make a change but did not know how.

The answer came in the form of a leaflet which dropped through her letterbox advertising a Slimming World group run by consultant Ali Saunders.

"It was April 1 and I remember feeling apprehensive, scared and worried I would be the largest April fool in the room,” she said.

“As soon as I met Ali and her members I relaxed and felt at ease.

I relaxed once I had done that first dreaded weigh in anyway.

“The welcome was extremely warm and friendly."

Just four months later she has lost two stones – more than 10 per cent of her total body weight – and feels much better.

She said she no longer feels breathless, enjoys walks along the river with her dog Barney and feels much more confident socialising.

Mrs Gibons said: “By food optimising I never feel hungry and love the fact that nothing is forbidden including satisfying my sweet tooth with homemade chocolates and creamy desserts.

“All of which I got the recipes from by attending my weekly meeting and receiving tips and support from both Ali my consultant and fellow members.

“I am making little changes and getting big results."

Now she is sharing her expertise with others by giving up her job at a care home and starting her own Slimming World Group, which will hold its first meeting at Salford Priors Memorial Hall at 7pm on Bank Holiday Monday, August 31.

"I want to shout it from the roof tops, not only how I lost my weight but also made new friends and found confidence I doubted I would ever get back,” she said.

For more information on Salford Priors Slimming World group call 07548 806 390 or visit slimmingworld.com.