A WOMAN who gave herself a new lease of life by shedding 32 pounds is set to start guiding other slimmers through their weight loss from next month.

Gemma Laragy, 25, is due to take her first class at the Wanstead Slimming World group on Tuesday August 3, after dropping two dress sizes in just six months.

Miss Laragy weighed 14st in March 2008 and by Christmas that year she had dropped to 11st 10lbs.

She had been overweight since the age of 17 but found the problem had gotten worse since graduating from university and starting an office job.

Miss Laragy, of Colson Road in Loughton, said: “I had never been slim during university, but at least I wasn’t gaining weight.

“I hoped that starting work in London would see the weight drop off, but instead long hours sat at a desk and social drinks after work saw the pounds creep on and within 18 months I was two stone heavier and desperate.”

Then in February 2008, after trying numerous different diets, she decided to join her local slimming club branch and soon found she was losing weight.

She said: “I didn’t know what to expect but once I went inside the leader was so warm and enthusiastic, and the group were so welcoming that I knew I wanted to keep coming back.

“I couldn’t believe how friendly everyone was and how much support and inspiration you got in the group when you really needed it.

“I couldn’t believe it when in the first week I had lost 5lbs, I had been eating so much yummy food and hadn’t been hungry once.”

Miss Laragy was given so much confidence by her weight loss that she raised money for charity by doing the Moonwalk Marathon in her bra, which she said she would never have attempted before losing all the weight.

She added: “It’s been absolutely life changing – I feel like I can do anything now, and I can’t wait to run a Slimming world group myself in Wanstead, to help other people feel the same.”

Gemma will be taking over as the consultant in the Wanstead Slimming World branch at the Methodist Church in Hermon Hill on August 3 at 7.30pm.

For more information drop in on the night or call 020 8793 6230.