A woman who was sick of being thought of as 'the fat friend' has shared her incredible weight loss journey.
Back in 2023, on a couple's holiday to Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, Pauline Gregory, then 58, was at her heaviest.
Weighing in at just under 17 stone, Pauline was heavier than she had been while pregnant.
Between that and the thought of almost needing 'seatbelt extenders' to fly, this was a clear wake-up call.
Speaking about the 'holiday meltdown', the Chepstow mum said: "I felt self-conscious and insecure even on the plane I've never had to ask for an extender seat belt, and it was getting close and I though I'm not having that.
"I was heavier than I'd ever been with any of my pregnancies so that was a really big shock.
"There were 6 of us and both my female friends are quite trim, and I thought to myself I'm fed up of being the fat friend something's got to give."
Pauline in Sharm El-Sheikh Egypt where she was her heaviest (Image: Pauline Gregory)
Pauline's go-to 'unhealthy' snacks of choice included cheese, wine, and Cadbury Dairy Milk chocolate bars, which she said made her gain weight.
She also put her weight gain down to the fact that she'd lost close family members in a short space of time.
She said: "We'd lost a few family members, so my father-in-law, and then six months later my brother died at 60, and my mum had dementia, and when she died it was a knock-on effect, and I used to drink glasses of wine, which didn't help obviously, so it was a bit of a roller coaster with emotions, and it didn't help.
"Before that, there was a lot of socialising with friends and just not taking care of myself really."
Pauline and her hubby on holidays in Sharm El-Sheikh Egypt where she was her heaviest (Image: Pauline Gregory)
Alongside the snacking and grief, Pauline also underwent knee surgery, leaving her unable to exercise properly for a bit.
-But enough was enough she dug deep and joined Slimming World who helped her loose an incredible 5 stone.
Pauline showing off her new slimmed down figure after her Slimming World journey (Image: Pauline Gregory)
Pauline said: "It's been life-changing really, I thought, I've got to put the work in and do it for myself, for 3 lovely kids and 6 grandchildren, and I do a lot of babysitting, and I wanted to be around and be well enough for them, and I made that promise and really stuck to it.
"With Slimming World, the weighing in weekly keeps me in check and it's been amazing. It's a lovely group of men and women and they are encouraging to people. I haven't been 12 stone for a long time!"
The Argus congratulates Pauline on her determination and new healthy lifestyle!