I lost three stone eating three hearty meals a day and never counted a calorie!

Rainbow and Brownie leader Lorraine, from Charmouth, had tried every diet going over the years, and during the second lockdown found herself furloughed.

With time on her hands, Lorraine decided now was the time to focus on herself and her own wellbeing and in September joined her local Slimming World Group in Charmouth.

Now she's lost three stone and feels healthier than ever.

Lorraine said: "It took so much courage to make that decision to join my local group, but I approached Livewell Dorset who were so supportive, and they offered me 12 weeks of free Slimming to get me started.

"Sue, the consultant, and the other members welcomed me, and I very soon felt part of the group. The support and encouragement the group give to one another is phenomenal."

Stepping on the scales after her first week, Lorraine couldn't believe it, she'd lost 8lb, It really spurred her on to keep going.

Lorraine enjoys eating three hearty meals a day with snacks too and still enjoys family favourites such as pizza topped with chicken, risotto, overnight oats and even spaghetti bolognaise.

Lorraine has dropped three dress sizes. She added: "I enjoy the freedom of unlimited healthy meals with no calories counting.

"I reached my target In May and feel fantastic, I have so much more energy and its lovely being able to choose clothes which I like rather than ones that cover my lumps and bumps. It's also lovely when people around you notice how different you look.

"I am so proud of myself that my blood pressure has lowered, and I have been able to stop taking some of my medications too."

Sue Phillips, Lorraine's Slimming World Consultant, said: "I am so very proud of Lorraine and everything she has achieved. It's great now as we are enjoying the freedom of being back in real life groups - there's a community of personal cheerleaders coming together each week to inspire and motivate each other all the way to their dream weight and Lorraine is a brilliant cheerleader."

In a recent Survey it was found:

A recent survey of the general population who had tried calorie counting found that 72 per cent believed that counting calories took away from the freedom of enjoying food.

In a parallel survey of Slimming World members, 75 per cent of respondents reported finding food optimising liberating and 81 per cent said that they'd learned to cut calories without having to count calories

For more information, visit www.slimmingworld.co.uk to find your nearest group. If you're interested in joining Sue's group call or text 07542649812 to book your place.