A BIGGAR slimmer who lost almost 22 kilos has opened a shop to help others achieve their goals.

Tracy Paterson halved her dress size in around four months after taking part in a weight loss programme.

And now she wants to pass on her experience to people looking to shed the pounds.

The 44-year-old told the Peeblesshire News: “I struggled with weight loss for many years and, when I stopped smoking 11 years ago, I really piled the weight on. I avoided family photos and social gatherings as I felt extremely self-conscious.

“My self-esteem was so low it started to affect my family life. I didn’t want my husband to see how disgusting I looked and would avoid intimate situations.

“It was a vicious circle of eating to make myself feel better, which then only made the problem worse. I had tried every diet you can think of and ended up putting on more weight than when I started.”

Tracy then signed up to the Cambridge Weight Plan, which offers one-to-one consultations. She began at 13 stone 10lbs, but now weighs in at a lean 10 stone 4lbs. And this inspired her to become a consultant.

“I went from a size 16 to a size eight and was absolutely thrilled. 

“Since losing the weight, my confidence levels have soared. My relationship and overall health have improved and I feel like I have a new lease of life.

“Having been on this journey myself, I felt I had it in me to help others achieve what I had. I knew I wasn’t alone in feeling worthless and unattractive, and thought perhaps I could help others. I applied to become a Cambridge Weight Plan consultant and started my training. I was accredited as a consultant in January and have been going from strength to strength.”

You can contact Tracy at the Biggar Weight Plan Centre Biggar, 7 Clydesdale Close, 07572776223.