Mum-of-two and chef Dawn Jones from Helston is preparing for one of her greatest challenges – running the London Marathon – after losing 1st 8.5lbs thanks to a healthy eating and fitness regime.

Dawn, 40, lost the weight after joining the Helston Slimming World Group where she went on to become a consultant. She started her journey to fitness in August 2010 having received hurtful comments about her clothes being too tight and being told by her doctor that she was at risk of type 2 diabetes and needed medication for her blood pressure.

“That was the final straw for me and I knew I had to do something about my weight for both my health and my happiness,” she said.

Dawn had begun putting on weight during secondary school years and found her size yo-yoed through school, university and into adulthood. She had tried numerous “quick-fix diets” without success, but after her doctor’s warning, she joined Slimming World and, after shedding the weight, she became a consultant.

As a result of her hard work Dawn’s blood pressure is normal. “My doctor now says I have an amazing resting heart rate as a result of regular exercise. She even asked if I was an athlete. I laughed out loud because I couldn’t believe how far I’d come.” 

Before joining Slimming World, Dawn’s only exercise was looking after her two children, Grace and Thomas, now 11 and nine. With her confidence at a low point, she decided to invest in a running machine which she used for six months before progressing to running in public.

Dawn has gradually built up her fitness level through increasing her miles before progressing to running half marathons. She has taken part in five races since 2011, including the Plymouth Half Marathon and the Falmouth Half Marathon. Aside from running, Dawn also loves sailing, walking and swimming with her husband and children.

She is now looking forward to the London Marathon on April 26 when she will be one of a team of 14 representing Slimming World who are all raising money for Cancer Research UK and the Marie Keating Foundation.

“I can’t wait for race day and to cross that finish line,” said Dawn. “Achieving this life-long ambition would never have been possible before Slimming World.”