AN Ealing resident who was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in 2018 has become an inspiration for many by managing to lose more than three stone since becoming a member of Slimming World.

Ana Ponsonby became a member of Brentford Slimming World in January 2019 and is now celebrating after not only reducing her weight significantly, but also reducing her medication and diabetes symptoms.

Ana, who lives in South Ealing, said: "I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in February 2018, and the doctor told me I would need to take medication to manage it - Metformin twice a day.

"Being overweight impacted so many aspects of my life, from struggling to find clothes that I like to fit, to not being able to do simple everyday tasks without feeling tired and out of breath.

"I always felt like I was lacking energy, I felt like I was on a slippery slope to gaining more and more weight and I didn't really see a way out.

"Walking through those doors was one of the hardest things I've ever done, I was embarrassed about my size and scared that I might be the biggest person there.

"I needn't have worried though, everyone there was so friendly especially my consultant, Lisa.

"The group were so welcoming too.

"Since then, my fellow members have become real friends and I honestly don't think I could have done it without their support each week.

"They helped me with recipes and tips and if I was ever struggling, they were always there to remind me why I wanted to lose weight in the first place and how far I have come since first stepping through the doors."

With the support from her diabetes care team, Ana followed the Slimming World Food Optimising eating plan and started cooking healthy meals from scratch.

Ana added: "People think slimming means going hungry, yet it's not not like that at all with this healthy eating plan.

"I love food and it's never once felt like I was on a diet, in fact, people are always surprised at how much food I have on my plate and can't

believe I'm losing weight eating so much delicious food and without ever feeling hungry.

"I can tailor the plan to fit my dietary needs and I can do this with support from my doctors and my Slimming World Group.

"This means I still enjoy all my favourite meals like burgers

and chips and roast dinners – I've just learned how to make small changes like eating lots of vegetables, using lean meat or cooking with low calorie spray instead of oil or butter."

Today, Ana has lost a total of three stone and five pounds, gone from dress size 18 to an 8/10 and has been a target member of the Slimming World group for nearly two years, achieving her Diamond Target Membership after 12 months.

She is also more active and regularly runs around after her grandchildren and loves cooking stir frys for them.

Ana said: "Thanks to the changes I've made my health has improved dramatically and I no longer need to take any medication.

"I've got my life back and I could not be happier.

"The world isn't shrinking anymore; it's getting bigger and bigger by the day!"

Lisa Maskell, who runs the Brentford Slimming World group, said: "We know the obesity crisis is a ticking time-bomb, and Type 2 diabetes is linked to obesity too.

"We believe the support you get from being in a warm, empowering group environment is key to helping you eat more healthily and becoming more active too.

"The changes we've seen in Ana are incredible.

"I hope her success will inspire other people in Ealing and Brentford who'd like to lose weight and improve their health by forming new lifestyle habits and become happier to take action.

"That's so important because the latest obesity statistics show 57.6% of people in Ealing are overweight or obese, which is higher than the regional average of 55.9%.

"There's a warm welcome waiting at Slimming World and, just think, if you start today you could feel like a completely new person just like Ana."

The meetings are held in Brentford on Mondays, Kensal Rise on Tuesdays and Hanwell on Wednesdays.

To join, you can call Lisa on 07944806624 for more information or visit Slimming World's website HERE.