A mum from Consett piled on the pounds after losing her confidence when she suffered an ankle injury and had to use crutches to get around.
Feeling self-conscious and her confidence knocked, Emma Herdman used to avoid leaving the house due to fearing people would judge her.
Turning to fast food, smoking and wine as a way to cope, she began to pile on the pounds, stepping on the scales at 15 stone 12.5 lbs.
But when her mum was diagnosed with dementia, the single mum began to worry about how her weight would affect her two daughters.
Knowing her lifestyle had to change, Emma joined Slimming World in September 2017 and has since shed an incredible six stone.
Now Emma proudly shows off her weight loss transformation as she has dropped six dress sizes, now fitting into a size 12 and she has been given newfound confidence.
The 45-year-old support worker said: “My old ankle injury made me really self-conscious and I would avoid leaving the house, I would never go anywhere by myself as I thought people would be looking at me limping.
“I have been overweight most of my life. I stayed at home, ate and smoked and got bigger and more depressed.
“I had no confidence. I wouldn’t leave the house, always cancelling plans at the last minute. I felt that people were always looking at me and that I never felt good enough.
“I felt guilty that I couldn’t walk very far and would get out of breath very easily. I hated buying clothes and would wear leggings and baggy tops.”
Inspired by Slimming World recipes, Emma swapped her fatty takeaways for homemade healthy versions.
Now she plans out her meals in advance, putting nutritious meals on the table every day while saving her money.
In March 2018, after losing two stone 8lbs Emma had an ankle replacement to help improve her mobility.
Following her surgery, alongside her weight loss, Emma has been given a new lease of life.
And now with a new outlook on life, she has driven herself to achieve things that she’s always dreamed of.
She added: “Everything has changed. I found a love for walking and swimming. I love buying clothes and like to make an effort to look good.
“My confidence has totally changed and I even started driving lessons again and passed my test in December 2019 at the age of 43.
“The weight loss definitely made me feel better about undertaking such a big operation and I was determined to stick to a plan with the help of my Slimming World buddies and fantastic consultant.
“I feel like I’m attacking life now rather than watching it go by. I feel like I’m a better mam and that I’m setting a better example.
“The support and encouragement from the Slimming group has really gotten me through some tough times.
“My Slimming World family have been there for me every step of the way and the friends I’ve made are for life.”
