As a child and teenager, I never really had any issues with my weight. I was in ballet, went swimming, played tennis, and my parents always cooked a balanced meal. Then, when I was 15, I started getting knee problems. My kneecaps didn't align well, and my left knee was dislocated in a game of tennis. It was pretty painful, but it was a common injury for tennis players. Finally, the doctor stabilised my knee for a few weeks, and I was good to go.

A few months later, I was on the ground again during gym class with the same issue. The kneecap popped back in place relatively fast, so there was no need for a doctor's visit. Fast forward to the age of 20, I was visiting Paris; my knee started swelling while climbing the Eiffel tower, and I wasn't sure whether to continue up or walk down again. When I got home, I decided it was best to visit my doctor.

After a few tests, I was told surgery would be needed, and a few weeks later, I was operated on. My knee was in ruins, cartilage broken off, and my tendons injured. The surgery went according to plan, and rehabilitation started. And after a few months, I was back on my feet and allowed to pick up with my usual activities. And that is when I started gaining weight.

You might say that it’s a terrible idea to gain weight when you have issues with your knees., and you are right. Close to 20% of people who are overweight have problems with their knees, and many overweight people eventually need a knee replacement. I can tell you that weight gain wasn't on my plan; it wasn't intentional. I was terrified of getting a new injury while exercising, so I never picked up my workout regime again.

Given that my job has me behind a desk most of the time, my activity levels dropped, and my weight increased. Unfortunately, I lacked the motivation to get back on track, and years and pounds later, I realised I needed to turn things around. Surprisingly, my knees didn't fail me again, but my energy levels and general health didn't enjoy my body's added load. That is when my slimming journey began.

I started working out again under the watchful eye of a trainer who knew about my knee history. But everyone knows that exercise alone is not enough to lose weight. So I needed to start on a diet too. But I had no idea where to start. The internet is full of information on hundreds of diets that all claim to work.

I feel that if you don't suffer from allergies and intolerances to certain foods, you shouldn't cut them out. It was daunting to find a diet that would fit me best. But then, a friend of mine recommended Your Slimming & Cosmetic Clinic right here in Bournemouth. She had a great experience with the medical staff and suggested I try it.

I made my first free consultation with the doctor, and based on my medical history, they prepared a weight-loss plan. They also prescribed a weight-loss supplement called Chromium, which helped with the sugar cravings. I do have a sweet tooth. So, slowly but surely, the weight started coming off. Of course, I realised that a healthy diet and regular exercise are critical to a healthy lifestyle.

I’m thrilled I turned to professionals to get help to set realistic goals. It helped me keep my focus, and when I felt discouraged, it helped me see things from the proper perspective. As a result, I'm almost at my goal weight, but I still haven't explained how all of this reduced my migraines.

I must admit that my weight loss, in my case, has nothing to do with my migraines disappearing. Instead, it was all a funny coincidence.

As mentioned before, my friend directed me to Your Slimming & Cosmetic Clinic, where, as the name suggests, they are both a weight loss clinic and a cosmetic clinic. Now, I have a diagonal line on my forehead from sleeping on my side. This line doesn't bother me as long as I have a fringe. But I sometimes get fed up with a fringe, which is when the line stands out more. So, while at the clinic, I asked for some info on how to treat this forehead line. The doctor suggested Botox injections to soften the line. We set an appointment for the first treatment; from then on, things changed, not only for my forehead line.