A busy vet who used to find size 18 clothes too tight is now buying size 10 – after losing six stone in just six months.
Emma Youngs, from Haddenham, near Ely, says she has “so much more confidence now” and can “buy clothes off the rack without worrying if they will have my size”.
In October, she even completed a half-marathon in under two hours after re-discovering her love of running and exercise.
Emma - who is married and has two much-loved dogs - shared her remarkable weight loss journey after joining Slimming World last year.
She said: “I used to feel trapped by the foods I was eating, planning how to get my next fix and then feeling really down about my unhealthy eating and weight gain.
“Now I feel like I can just go out and enjoy life.
“I plan my food more now, but I feel like I’m in control of it, whereas before it was definitely controlling me.”
The Slimming World approach suited her lifestyle because she is “often on the move” and wasn’t restricted with weighing, measuring or counting the foods she enjoyed.
She also realised how quark – a soft, smooth curd cheese which originates from Germany – can be a versatile, high-protein ingredient for someone trying to lose weight.
Emma said: “I find quark keeps me fuller for longer compared to yogurt and a few different flavdrops can really change it up day to day.
“It’s my go to breakfast with a load of speed-free fruit.”
She added: “I love cooking quark as well - mixed with an egg it makes a gorgeous baked white sauce for topping a veggie lasagne.”
Emma also uses it for baked cheesecakes, dips and soufflés.
Her success has even inspired her mother to lose three stone herself.
The Slimming World group Emma attends meets in Sutton – and her peers have been a huge support throughout.
She said: “The group welcomes new members with open hearts and genuinely celebrates successes, supports you when you’re struggling and everyone’s opinion counts.
“It doesn’t matter if you’re a high-end lawyer from Chelsea or you’ve not got a penny to your name, everyone is welcomed and supported and celebrated as family.”
She added: “I love that we are all equal and we are all one family.”
To find your nearest group, visit the Slimming World website.
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