“A massive honour.”

Zoe Mole’s reaction after hearing she’d been crowned as Slimming World’s 2021 Top Target Consultant.

The 38-year-old mother of two, who runs the Corfe Mullen group, received the national title after successfully keeping her weight off since 2004.

She said: “Being recognised for maintaining my four stone loss for the last 17 years is amazing.

“I feel very lucky to have found Slimming World at a young age as it’s enabled me to live a healthy lifestyle and maintain it too.

“I love that I can help my members with their own weight loss journeys as well.

“It’s important to me to help people believe in themselves and live a healthier, happier life.”

Zoe began comfort eating at the age of nine after her parents split up.

Her weight increase didn’t go unnoticed at school where she suffered physical and verbal abuse.

She said: “I was regularly spat on and called ‘Big Mac’ because my maiden name was McGregor.

“I had no friends and would often have my lunch in the school toilets, so no one would see me eating.

“It got so bad I had to have counselling.

“After leaving school, things got worse as I drifted into an unhealthy relationship.

Picture: Slimming World/SWNS.

“It ended after three years, but my relationship with food only got worse.

“I really was at rock bottom.

“I ate to make myself feel better, then cried afterwards because I felt even worse.

“I was spiralling out of control and hated myself.

“One day, my sister found me sobbing on the stairs and said, ‘Enough is enough. We’re joining Slimming World’.”

In January 2002, weighing 13st 7lbs and wearing a size 18, Zoe walked through the doors of her first Slimming World group.

She said: “It was one of the scariest things I’ve ever done – and also one of the best.

“The main thing that struck me was the acceptance I felt.

“I’d expected everyone to laugh or stare, but for the first time ever, I found myself in a roomful of people who didn’t judge me and I was immediately made to feel really welcome.

“As a Consultant myself now, I always remember that and I think having the courage to walk into a group when you’re at your lowest is something to be very proud of.

“I nearly gave up on myself at the age of 19 – but because of Slimming World, my self-esteem grew and, bit by bit, my life changed.

“It was a dream come true when I hit my target weight of 9st 7lbs.”

Zoe said losing weight finally gave her the confidence to meet new people.

In 2005 she joined an online dating site.

As a result Zoe met her future husband, Matt.

She said: “We had a dream wedding.

“I wore a beautiful white gown and we honeymooned in the Maldives.

“Having spent ten years of my life living in darkness, I couldn’t believe my luck.

“Now, we have two children, Daisy, nine, and six-year-old Max.”

In 2011, Zoe, who lives in Corfe Mullen, decided to train as a Slimming World Consultant.

She said: “I felt strongly that I wanted to help people change their lives like I’d changed mine.

“It really is the most rewarding role, seeing people step off the scales feeling great about themselves and their achievements – especially when you know exactly how wonderful that feels.

“There have been times in the past 17 years when I’ve struggled to maintain my weight, including during the pandemic, and having the Slimming World programme and community to fall back on has been invaluable.

Picture: Slimming World/SWNS.

“Lockdown and homeschooling was something I – like everyone else – had never experienced before and I was surprised to see old habits (habits that I thought had gone forever) sneak back in.

“I quickly realised I needed to do something to regain control, so I joined a virtual group because I wanted that support.

“Thankfully, I’m back on track and am now delighted to be Slimming World’s Top Target Consultant 2021.

“It feels amazing.

“I’m so grateful to have found Slimming World, it changed my life and, I believe, saved my life, as I really was at my lowest ebb.

“Losing the weight and keeping it off feels like more of an achievement than anything academic, because I’ve beaten the demons in my head.

“I know I can do anything I set my mind to now, and I love inspiring others to make a change, too.”

Before menu

Breakfast: White toast with golden syrup

Snack: A doughnut

Lunch: Sandwich, crisps, chocolate bar

Snack: Crisps

Dinner: Chicken nuggets, chips and beans

Evening: Sweets, cakes, chocolate

After menu

Breakfast: Overnight oats with yoghurt and berries

Mid-morning: Piece of fresh fruit

Lunch: Pasta with a homemade tomato and vegetable sauce

Mid-afternoon: Fat-free yogurt or a high-fibre cereal bar

Dinner: Stir-fry

Evening: A Cadbury’s Twirl