A North Tyneside woman has transformed her life after shedding more than seven stone during the pandemic.
Paige Elsender was frightened to go out alone or take part in social activities with friends for fear of being told she was "too big" when she weighed 23 stone 6.6lbs.
Even a trip to a pub beer garden would leave the 23-year-old feeling terrified that she would cause the wooden benches to break or tip when she sat on them.
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"I was conscious of my weight all of the time," the nursing assistant said.
"It was always in the back of my mind.
"I constantly felt unhealthy and unhappy.
"I had no confidence and I hated speaking in front of people.
"I hated talking directly to people and I just didn’t want to meet new people at all."
The turning point came in January 2020 when Paige decided to join the Slimming World group at West Allotment Community Centre in Shiremoor.
Starting out as a size 28, Paige overhauled her diet and lifestyle, swapping boozy nights out and takeaways for homemade meals and even taking up ice skating.
But when the pandemic hit the country in March, she was left wondering whether she could continue losing weight.
"I had a phone call with my consultant and, thankfully, I decided to continue to plough on through during lockdown," she said.
"I continued to lose weight and I still attend today."
Paige has lost an incredible 7st 2lb and is now a size 14, weighing 16st 5lb.
But it doesn't end there, as she plans on continuing to lose weight with the group as we begin the New Year.
"Being slimmer, I’m a lot more confident," she said.
"I’m so much happier, I feel free and I don’t feel scared to do 'normal' things anymore."
She continued: "Slimming World is the best thing I have ever done.
"Not just for my physical health but for my mental health as well.
"I suffer from bad anxiety and depression, which takes a toll on my day-to-day life, but since losing weight, I’ve gained more confidence to tackle some of the things that make me anxious, such as going out alone.
"I can go into town on my own now, I can get on public transport and I’m able to talk to people."
