Only two years ago Megan Bilton would have died of shame if anyone had seen her wobbly tummy. But now she's 8st slimmer and regularly bares her midriff to go belly dancing. Megan, 25, an IT assistant, has used the exotic routines to help lose the flab and after years of misery tipping the scales at over 18st.

Megan, from Loughborough, Leicestershire, had always been big and says she was the chubby one in her class at school. "When everyone else was running the 100m I'd have to walk it. I stopped off at the sweet shop every day for a Kingsize Mars bar. I just ate too much and wouldn't do any exercise."

When she was 19, she met Simon Hill, 28, a machine operator. "I was a size 18 when I met Simon but he never minded - although I did get a lot larger after meeting him because we'd often eat out. Megan's sweet tooth was her downfall and her most sinful excess was ice cream.

"I'd eat it at least once a day - either a whole tub of creamy luxury ice cream or a cornet if I was out. When we went for a meal, I couldn't resist an indulgent sundae with all the sauces and extras for pudding. Megan avoided the scales but knew she was getting bigger as even her size 20 clothes felt tight. Every day she'd skip breakfast but would snack constantly all day, piling on the pounds.

Then, in her early 20s, she was diagnosed with an underactive thyroid. She told everyone her size was due to her health problems.

"At the time I put my weight down to my thyroid, but really it was an excuse. I was eating huge portions and loads of sweet, sugary things and should have just cut back."

Eventually, in 2004 while she was on holiday with Simon in the Isle of Wight, Megan decided to tackle her weight. "Simon was sympathetic but knew I needed a push. He said he'd join Weight Watchers if I went with him.

"I was very worried. I thought they'd weigh you and shout your weight out and it would be humiliating. But the class leader was really supportive. "When they said I was 18st 11lb, I was gutted. But by then I was in size 26 clothes, so I knew it would be something horrendous."

Although she was worried about starting a diet Megan enjoys cooking so she loved experimenting with the new meal ideas.

"I was daunted by how much I had to lose but I was determined to do it. I started eating more fruit, fish and vegetables and also made everyday meals like spaghetti bolognese healthier and in smaller portions.

I did have the odd ice cream but, strangely, I soon lost my sweet tooth. I couldn't even manage a mouthful of Mars bar!"

Megan lost 3lb in her first week and her first stone inside a month. After losing 2st, her size 26 clothes began to hang off her.

Soon there was no stopping her. "I joined a gym and had a special programme designed for me. Soon I was going five times a week." Then Megan's work colleagues had an unusual idea.

"Some of the girls at work watched a belly dancing video and said we should have a go.

"I'd already lost about 3st and thought it would be fun as well as good exercise. It's a real laugh and I love it now.

"I was about 15st at the time but we all had a great giggle. Once a term we do a show for our family and friends in our special costumes when our bellies are on display. It has really helped me lose my wobbly tummy." Then, in December last year - after dieting for just 14 months - Megan hit her goal weight of 10st 7lb and a size 12.