For years, Kym had struggled to find an approach to weight loss that she could maintain. She had tried different diets and often lost weight, only to regain it when life became busy or the plan became too difficult to follow.
A combination of health challenges and difficult personal experiences left her feeling disconnected from her wellbeing. Food became a source of comfort, while her confidence and fitness began to suffer.
The turning point came after she completed a Race for Life 5K in support of a close friend. Kym was proud to finish, but the time it took her to recover made her realise that she wanted to feel healthier, fitter and more confident as well as lose weight.
She searched for her nearest Slimming World group and found one meeting that same evening. Kym says walking through the door became one of the best decisions she had made.
After that first session, she wrote a list of the foods she loved and realised she could continue enjoying many of them while working towards her goal. She planned her meals for the week and says she lost 6.5lb in her first week and another 5lb the following week.
"For the first time in years, losing weight didn't feel like a punishment," Kym said. "I was enjoying cooking, trying new recipes and sharing meals with my family. Instead of feeling deprived, I felt excited about what I could eat."
When her progress later slowed, Kym continued attending the group. She credits the encouragement and practical advice from her consultant and fellow members with helping her through a difficult period rather than giving up.
Kym says she has now lost almost 4.5 stone, her blood pressure has improved, she no longer gets out of breath climbing the stairs and she is sleeping better. She plans to return to Race for Life next year - this time to run the course.
Her experience has inspired her to become a consultant. Kym will launch her new Polesworth group on Monday 12 October and says she wants to help other people discover the same support and belief that helped her succeed.