Finally taking centre stage

Losing weight helped Grace Elliott find the career of her dreams

- ADAM CARPENTER

When I joined Slimming World, I never expected to find my self-belief growing so much that one day any goal I set myself would seem possible. Just recently, cycling in the beautiful countryside near home with my boyfriend, Jack, I saw a steep hill ahead. I was about to switch to a lower gear to make it easier when a voice in my head piped up: ‘No, Grace, you’re going to stay in this gear all the way to the top’. And I did! Standing on top of that hill, looking at the landscape below, felt far away from the place I’d been three years earlier.

Back then, life felt defined by things I couldn’t do. I’d been studying Acting for Film at university, having switched from the Musical Theatre course because – at 15st and bigger than all the other students – it had involved too much dancing and physical activity for me. But from the moment I joined Slimming World in 2017, my group made me feel welcome. When I told them I’d been practically living on takeaway pizzas at university, nobody judged me or mademe feel bad, and that helped me stop judging myself.

Feeling brave

As I lost weight, my confidence rocketed, and as I neared my target weight of 9st 3lb, I started to go to auditions for acting roles. I was amazed to find I was brave enough to put myself out there – but the audition process itself was tough. Having given it my best, I’d stand on stage as the producers muttered to each other and looked me up and down. Each time I heard, ‘Sorry, you’re not quite what we’re looking for.’ Once,

‘As I lost weight, my confidence rocketed’

I’d have run from the venue and consoled myself with lots of chocolate. Now, no matter how hurt I felt after an audition, I stayed focused.