A woman who shrank from a size 24 to a size 12 is to star in a BBC documentary on weight loss.

The programme, Welcome to the World of Weight Loss will air on Wednesday, August 21 and charts the efforts of 38-year-old Hazel, from Epsom, along with others around the country, to shed the pounds.

Hazel's year-long journey, and her 3st 7lb weight loss, began when she stepped into the Rosemary Conley Diet & Fitness Club in Epsom. "I'm on disability benefits because I suffer with body dysmorphic disorder, which makes me agoraphobic and leaves me afraid of leaving the house.

"What was great about Rosemary Conley was that they do it all during one class, which is important for me as I have so much trouble meeting new people. They start with the group talk, covering the diet, followed by the weigh-in and then the exercise, all in one go."

"I comfort ate all of the wrong foods and ate far too much," admits Hazel, who weighed 13st 10lbs when she started and did no exercise whatsoever.

"I was heading towards 14 stone and got breathless walking up even a single flight of stairs. My knees hurt as I walked and I thought I was too young to be feeling so unfit." Hazel's weight loss has given her a new lease of life.

"I competed in Race for Life and raised £60 for Cancer Research, thanks to people sponsoring me. I could never have done this last year."

She was also invited to a glamorous photo shoot by her fitness club. "I had my hair and make-up done, and Rosemary even picked out my dress! It was a dramatic moment for me, but it felt incredibly glamorous. I can't wait to show the girls at the club."

Hazel admits she is anxious about her TV debut. "I'll be going to my parents' house for some support. I'm quite nervous, as they started filming when I had only lost one stone. It will be scary to be reminded how big I used to be. But it's great to be able to see my journey - I'll be recording it."

 

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