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.

I read somewhere before that Botox could be used to treat chronic migraines, but I had no idea it could also improve sporadic migraines. It turns out it can.

Botox has been shown to effectively reduce the frequency of migraines, even in those with fewer than 15 migraine headache days per month. In addition, clinical trials have demonstrated that Botox injections can reduce the number of migraines by 50% or more in many patients. But, of course, the frequency and severity of migraines can vary from person to person, so the effectiveness of Botox as a treatment for migraines may vary.

I was so surprised that this treatment even helped me, and I used to have only 4 to 5 migraine headaches per month.

Botox injections help with migraines by temporarily paralysing specific facial muscles, and reducing tension in the head, neck and face, a common trigger for migraines. Botox injections also help block pain signals from reaching the brain, decreasing the frequency and intensity of migraines.

Of course, as often seen in migraine treatments, this is not a treatment that is successful for all patients. But in my case, it helped. Sadly, there are no guarantees it will help all migraine patients.

And yes, there can be side effects associated with Botox injections as a treatment for migraines, so it is vital to talk to a healthcare provider about both the potential risks and benefits of Botox injections to combat migraine headaches.

It's funny how one thing can surprisingly lead to another. In my case, my weight-loss journey led to an almost entirely migraine-free life. Plus, it brought me to the competent medical staff at Your Slimming & Cosmetic Clinic, who helped me along the way.

My experience showed me it was imperative to seek professional help to lose weight. I wouldn’t have had the discipline to do it alone.

Keep in mind that when looking for help with migraine treatments, you will find the best advice from a medical professional.