‘My future’s bright’

Gaining weight put Ellie Songu-Mbriwa’s life on pause. Now 2st 9lbs slimmer and with an unshakable confidence, she’s making the most of every moment

ELLIE WEARS: Jumpsuit, Traffic People. Shoes, Chi Chi London. Earrings, Karen Millen. Bangle, Storm. Bag, Joanie

SNAPSHOT

Ellie Songu-Mbriwa, 21, is a waitress and law student. She lives in Middlesbrough, Cleveland, with her mum, brother, Kai, and boyfriend, Richie

Height: 5ft 5ins

Starting weight: 12st 5lbs

Weight now: 9st 10lbs

WEIGHT LOST: 2st 9lbs

Ellie is a target member of Clare Boden’s Slimming World group in Middlesbrough

Walking along the tropical beach, I’d never felt so free. I revelled in the feeling of the fine, golden sand between my toes and the sun beating down on my bare shoulders. Wearing fitted shorts and a spaghetti-strap vest over my halter-neck bikini, I realised I wasn’t in the least bit self-conscious. Before I lost weight, I’d have felt uncomfortable, making comparisons with my slim friends and being hard on myself for not looking the same. To be honest, I probably wouldn’t have been in Thailand at all – the thought of holidaying so far from home, on the island of Phuket, would have filled me with anxiety. I smiled as I thought about how much my confidence had grown in such a short time…

Throughout my childhood and early teens, I’d always been slim and loved the fresh, tasty food Dad used to cook for us at home. Then, at 16, when I’d started studying for my A levels, I got a job in the pizza restaurant where Mum worked as a manager, and would eat at least one 10in pizza on every shift. Now, with my own money to spend, too, there was nothing to stop me from picking up fish and chips between classes, treating myself to meals out with my mates, or getting takeaways at the weekend.