A mum who was too embarrassed to go out for dinner when she weighed over 20 stones has halved her bodyweight in just 16 months.
Maureen McAulay, 57, from the Vale of Glamorgan weighed 20st 9lbs and was a size 22 before embarking on her weight loss journey, according to the Mirror.
It began when she realised that she had became increasingly self-conscious while out and about.
Maureen told Wales Online : "It got to the stage where I felt people judged me when I was out, going out for meals or anything like that.
"Even just going into the shop I used to think: 'Oh people must think I’m terrible because I’m that big'."
She decided to join her local Slimming World group but was initially apprehensive.
After deciding to make a change, Maureen eyed up her local Slimming World group - but something was holding her back.
“Because I was really big, I was embarrassed to go [to meetings]," Maureen explained.
But her group leader Laura was on hand to give Maureen the supportive push she needed and she eventually joined in January 2020.
Maureen added: "Laura made me feel comfortable, and it started from there.”
After going to her first meeting, determined Maureen cut out takeaways and biscuits and swapped out foods like white bread for healthier alternatives.
She also swapped jars of sauce from the supermarket for homemade versions, so she knew exactly what was going into them.
As she stuck to a healthier eating pattern, she says her husband and daughter began to make healthier choices too.
Before going to Slimming World, Maureen admits she did eat unhealthily.
However, she has now learned more about nutrition and is still able to enjoy meals while making healthier choices.
Since starting on her weight loss journey just 16 months ago, Maureen has shed an incredible 9st 10lbs and now weighs 10st 13lbs.
"It's a whole person really, when you think about it," she said.
She has also dropped seven dress sizes and can now fit into size 8 clothes.
Of course, it hasn't always been plain sailing, and Maureen has had her setbacks along the way.
Last year she had to have two operations on her leg which put her on bed rest for more than 12 weeks.
Luckily, her husband was on hand to help, making her healthy breakfasts in bed and using Slimming World recipes to cook her dinner every day.
Now, Maureen is feeling more confident than ever and is looking forward to life getting back to normal after lockdown.
She said: "I’ve got a 16-year-old daughter and we’re so looking forward to going out shopping together.
"I'm so excited to go out for a bite to eat, and just feel comfortable enough. I'm happier again."
