From: Originally Dublin, now Navan

Was: 13st

Now: 10st 12lbs

Lost: 2st 2lbs

Class: Navan

Leader: Linda Barry

My maiden name was Little, but growing up everyone used to call me Big – and that’s how I always saw myself. Although I was never very overweight, I always felt big. My mother said it was because I was heavy boned.

I moved to Navan from Dublin in 2007 and I didn’t know anyone so I started eating for comfort.

Then, a year later, I discovered I was pregnant and was made redundant, all within a few weeks of each other. So I started eating all around me, not really realising how much damage I was doing. After I had my daughter Chloe, I managed to lose a bit by myself, but then I got a job in Dublin and I was travelling a lot and doing no exercise whatsoever.

What made things even more difficult was that I was working in a food company, so there were always cakes, muffins and chocolate around – I’d often come in to find a muffin sitting on my desk.

I had heard of Weight Watchers before and I saw a girl from work doing really well on the programme, so in February 2013 I decided to give it a try. I realised that my problem was that I was always picking and eating on the go, I never planned anything. So I started to track everything I ate with a pen and paper and began eating a lot more fruit and vegetables. I was really good Monday to Friday and kept my 49 Bonus Points for the weekend so I could have a few treats.

Being surrounded by food all day in work made it really difficult, but I stuck with it. I used to bring a Weight Watchers bar in with me as a treat, and I made a rule that if I couldn’t “Point” it, I wouldn’t eat it. I took up boxercise twice a week and I started taking a regular walk with my neighbour Michelle – we spur each other on. I had great support from all my family and friends and especially my leader, Linda – she was fantastic. I could ring her at any time and she was always there for me.

I got engaged to Daniel on 16 November 2013 and that December I reached my goal weight. I went to look for my dress immediately. It was a mermaid-style dress. I never thought I could wear a sweetheart neckline, but when the lady in the shop told me to give it a try, I couldn’t believe how much I loved it. When I tried it on first, it was quite tight, but having the wedding as a goal was a big motivation and so I really stuck to the programme. By the time the wedding came around, the dress was falling off me, they had to do a lot of alterations to get it to fit.

The day itself was brilliant. My dad has had a lot of problems with his heart over the last couple of years, so it made it extra special to have him there.

I honestly never thought I’d look the way I did – my dress, my hair, everything was perfect. I strutted down that aisle. I used to always hide from having my photograph taken, but on that day I was posing for every camera. It was a really emotional day and I loved every minute of it.

Lesley’s tips for success

  • Instead of sitting down with tea and biscuits in the evening, I just have a cup of green tea and it helps to take the sweet cravings away.
  • When I earned bonus points for exercise, I never used them for food, so I always had that extra bit of room.
  • I always say to people, if you have one bad day and you think you’ve blown everything, don’t let it ruin your week: just start back the next morning.

    • To find your local Weight Watchers class, see weightwatchers.ie or call 1850-234 123.