THE DECISION THAT CHANGED MY LIFE

After trying diets without success, Breanne Concannon, 31, was left feeling hopeless

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Just as I was about to turn around and head back to the safety of my car, the door I was hovering uncertainly in front of opened and a woman with a beaming smile appeared. 'Hello,' she said. 'Come on in!' I'd bottled out of walking into my local Slimming World group twice before, only getting as far as the car park before reversing out and driving away.

I was desperate to lose weight, but after a succession of punishing fad diets – which had left me hungry and also heavier than ever – I'd lost confidence in my ability to make changes and wasn't sure I could face any more failure. There was no going back this time, though, and after such a warm welcome, I felt that perhaps I was doing the right thing.

TAKEAWAY TREATS

My weight had never been an issue until I fell in love. I was training as a nurse when I met Mark, working in a busy hospital, as well as studying and doing 12-hour shifts in a care home at weekends. Telling myself I needed to fuel up, I'd grab anything going – chips with curry sauce from the canteen, vending-machine chocolate, cans of cola and coffees with two sugars. Many elderly residents at the care home needed to gain weight, and the chef would serve the staff the same buttery mashed potato, cheesecake, and trifle. At the same time, Mark was working long hours in sales and the time we had together was precious. We'd snuggle up on the sofa, sharing a takeaway Chinese banquet or a pizza and fries. And meals never felt right without something sweet, so we'd follow up with chocolate and biscuits, too.

HEALTH CONCERNS