A Great Dunmow mum who lost seven-and-a-half stone says she has "regained the confidence" she lost during the pandemic.

Mum-of-two Jade Scanlan was one of the more than 40 per cent of people in the UK who reported gaining weight due to lockdown restrictions, according to the NHS.

She said: "Between March 2020 and March 2022, I put on a whopping seven stone.

"Because of the pandemic and having the opportunity to work from home, I was able to lock myself away and live in ignorant bliss, completely oblivious to how much weight I was piling on."

Jade found herself snacking on high fat and sugar foods during lockdown. Without the prospect of going out with friends and colleagues, her weight gain was not on her radar as she was focusing on her family during the troubling times.

As her weight increased, Jade noticed she was having frequent migraines and her knees, back and hips had become sore.

"I looked and felt awful," she said. "I tried to find any excuse to stay working from home as long as possible out of fear of people seeing me."

However restrictions started to lift, and Jade was required to go back to her London office twice a week, and was invited to social events more regularly.

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She said: "People had only seen me virtually and had no idea how much weight I had gained. I was so miserable and I knew that isolating myself was having a negative effect on my mental health."

Jade decided to join the Slimming World group in Great Dunmow, which allowed Jade to continue eating her favourite foods - including pasta, potatoes and rice - as part of a healthier lifestyle, helping her to lose seven-and-a-half stone in a year.

She said that on her first visit she tried to make excuses to herself not to go in, as her confidence was at rock bottom, but once she mustered the courage to go in she "hasn't looked back".

During her Slimming World journey, Jade was awarded accolades such as 'Woman of the Year' and her group's 'Biggest Loser 2023'.

"I absolutely love my group. They are all wonderful, so encouraging and have become my friends," Jade said.

"I genuinely look forward to attending each week and now that I am at my target weight, I will continue to go to group as I know they will keep me on track and accountable. I really cannot thank them enough."

“I feel like my old self again, my joint pain and migraines have gone and I no longer hide away from my family and friends. Slimming World really has saved me."

To find out more about Slimming World, contact Ade on 07808 735420 or pop along in person.

Meetings are held at the Dourdan Pavilion in Dunmow on Wednesday at 9.30am, Thursday at 5.30pm and 7pm at the Golden Acre Community Centre in Saffron Walden or Saturday at 8.30am at the Saffron Walden Bowls Club.