Paula: I lost 9st 3lb with a fresh approach to food<p></p>

Name: Paula
Weight loss: 9st 3lb
Was: 19st 7lb
Now: 10st 4lb
Age: 52
Height: 5'7"
How long it took: 1 year, 3 months
How she did it: Weekly meeting with her Coach, Melanie

Nights in eating comforting food.... After Nigel and I were first married, our favourite nights were spent cuddled up on the sofa in front of the telly, our plates piled high with whatever comforting dinner I’d cooked from scratch – fluffy shepherd’s pies, steaming roast dinners and creamy tuna pastas.

....lead to me feeling inadequate But for me, the result of all our happy eating was catastrophic. Approaching our 10th anniversary, I was a size 22 – and miserable. We’d go out with friends and I’d look enviously at the women dressed up in heels and glamorous frocks, as I shuffled around in loose t-shirts and extra-stretchy trousers. I felt hopelessly inadequate.

Eating spiralled out of control In summer 2012, we went for a barbecue at a friend’s house and she texted me a picture afterwards that made my stomach turn. There I was, sitting, with rolls of fat bulging from my baggy purple top. I had to face the truth: my eating had spiralled out of control.

Renewing our wedding vows Nigel and I had been talking about renewing our vows for a while, and wanted to repeat our wedding day down to the last detail, including me wearing my original size 16 ivory wedding dress.

Sticking to the plan So, I started Weight Watchers and stuck to the plan as if my life depended on it. Nigel was my weight-loss ally, forever supportive and reassuring, even weighing out my food for me or adapting recipes. Breakfast was crumpets with Vegemite; lunch a delicious Weight Watchers soup. Suppers were simple – fish, chicken and lots of vegetables – and fruit and yogurt replaced my beloved crisps.

I brought a new wedding dress - 2 sizes smaller! The pounds started falling off and, after a few months, I tried on the wedding dress. I was thrilled to discover it fitted. Only I wasn’t at goal, so the weight loss didn’t stop there! Before long, it was too big, so when I reached goal I bought a new dress – two sizes smaller. As I walked down the aisle on Nigel’s arm that October for our renewal ceremony 11 years to the day since our wedding, I beamed at everyone as I glided past.

Living life to the full But the benefits of my weight loss have spilled into every aspect of my life, not just that day. I now go to the gym three times a week and Nigel and I have bought bikes and go for long cycle rides together every weekend. I have so much energy now, and truly feel like I am living life to the full.

Paula featured in Weight Watchers magazine. For a chance to feature your story in Weight Watchers magazine, simply upload your details to the Success Database

To get hold of the latest cookbooks, take a peek in our online shop.