Weight loss coach who lost seven stone gives tips on how to keep the pounds off

The 55-year-old lost the weight four years ago through Weight Watchers when she was diagnosed with diabetes.

Now she has been recognised as a top coach after earning a new lease of life herself and getting a kick out of helping others keep the weight down.

Her determination has seen her keep her target weight, something she says is hard to do, and become a diamond coach.

Vanessa, from Catherington near Waterlooville, said she has helped thousands of people lose weight.

She said: ‘Since losing the weight, I can do so much more than before.

‘I can play with my grandchildren in the play park, something which I could not do with my own kids.

‘They joke now that I play more with the grandkids than I did them. I was just known as the “fat mummy”.

‘Being able to share my own experiences with people really helps the coaching side of things and I was shocked when I became a diamond coach.

‘It is based on statistics but numbers aren’t what I care about. It is about helping people lose the weight but also remain healthy and having a holistic approach to weight-loss.’

Vanessa runs two Weight Watchers classes a week – one in Horndean and one in Cosham. As part of her service, she also sees people who are referred through their GP or Hampshire County Council’s new self-referral scheme.

Weight Watchers previously won the tenure from the council to provide free 12-week sessions for people who qualify.

Vanessa was herself referred to a group under a previous scheme by her GP after her weight saw her diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. It was not until her vision deteriorated rapidly that she knew she had to shed the pounds.

Now she is sharing tips on how to maintain a healthy lifestyle:

n Keep attending group meetings even when you reach your goal weight to carry on that support.

n Stick to eating plans.

n Make sure you do whatever exercise you can.

n Make small steps that are achievable rather than lots of big steps all at once.

n Allow time for yourself.

Vanessa added: ‘Do not try to cut out all sugars while also training for a run, do one and then the other.’

‘Don’t be disheartened if your weight varies by a few pounds. I am human and my weight has changed but not by a lot.

‘As long as you stay a few pounds within your goal, that is all that’s important.’

See facebook.com/horndean3vanessadavies