A DANCE teacher from Worcester is starting her own slimming group after successfully shedding two stone and regaining her confidence.

Jess Wells joined a Slimming World group last September after seeing pictures of herself at a performance and realising she had put on weight.

The 22-year-old from Worcester said she had let her fitness slip and got out of shape while at university and embracing the student lifestyle.

“Too many takeaways and too much drink led me to struggle during rehearsals,” she said. “I felt unfit, out of breath and used to dread costume fittings and felt self conscious performing on stage next to my fellow performers.

“I quickly went from being the outgoing, confident performer to being withdrawn, and miserable hiding in oversized jumpers.”

Miss Wells said she had decided to join a Slimming World group in Peopleton near Pershore and lost more than eight pounds in the first week alone.

“I decided to give it a go after trying many fad diets in the past that always left me starving, and lethargic,” she said.

“I was over the moon.

“I’d eaten so much and couldn’t believe how easy it was to still eat all my favourite foods and still be able to enjoy a glass of wine – nothing was off limits.

Now Miss Wells is starting her own group at the Scout hut in Cornmeadow Lane, Claines, meeting every Monday at 9.30am from June 1.

“It’s a privilege for me to pass on the experience, insight and understanding that helped me so that I can give my members the support that they need to get to their own target weights,” she said.

For more information call Miss Wells on 07947 984 658.