LIKE many young people, Melinda Gray dreamed of going travelling.

So when she was aged 20, she booked a four-month trip to take in the sights of Japan, Australia and the U.S.

There was just one problem. At 12st 9lbs and 5ft 2in, she was not sure she could cope an adventurous itinerary.

"When I first started out, I really struggled," says Melinda, now aged 22. "I didn't have much money so ended up walking everywhere.

"Some of the places I went to were really hot. I'd be wiped out from six or seven hours' walking during the day. You don't notice it when there's lots of things to do and see, but I wouldn't want to do anything at all at night."

The punishing schedule turned out to be the kick-start Melinda needed.

As a result of the extra exercise, she lost a few pounds and made a decision she was not about to slip back into old habits on her return home.

"I've always struggled with my weight and that runs naturally in our family," says Melinda, who lives in Crossdale Avenue, Baddeley Green, with her partner Nick O'Brien. "What's worse is all the women tend to be quite short, so if you put the tiniest bit of weight on, you can see it straight away.

"The worst point I can remember is picking out a pair of large jeans and they were too small when I tried them.

"I was so upset I cried in the fitting rooms. My boyfriend was worried, because I spent so long in there."

The customer service adviser at Phones4U, Chesterton, had tried to lose weight previously. She had an expert source of advice in the shape of mum Sarah, a WeightWatchers leader.

Melinda enrolled in her mum's Ball Green class when she was 18, helping at the meetings and attending weigh-ins.

However, maintaining the weight loss was tough, especially when Melinda left home to move in with her best friend.

She says the two did not eat unhealthily, but portion control was an issue. As a result, she discovered fitting into the latest fashions was difficult.

"I managed to lose some when I was 18, but when I moved out I got heavy again," she says. "I was miserable and didn't fit into clothes properly.

" We didn't eat lots of takeaways or anything like that, but I ate too much rich food. I've always loved cooking – it's my passion – so there were lots of pasta dishes and curries."

And that was not the whole story. Three years ago Melinda was diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome.

As a hormonal problem, women with the condition can find it is easy to put weight on and difficult to take it off.

But Melinda was determined not to let the diagnosis get the better of her.

"Having polycystic ovaries puts me at higher risk of putting on weight and the problems associated with it," she says. "I had to go for a check every three months.

"It got on top of me, but after getting back from travelling where my fitness levels had improved, I became focused."

Melinda joined the WeightWatchers points plan and began to watch what she ate and exercise three times a week.

"I began to follow the programme quite strictly and cut carbohydrates down quite dramatically," she says. "I'd stock up on vegetables far more. I also started to eat breakfast, whereas I never did that before."

And Melinda has been able to maintain her changed lifestyle. She now weighs 8st 10lb.

Her mum is certainly proud of her achievements.

"It's been a struggle for her and I know it's not been easy," she says.

"Looking back, I'm pleased with her in every respect – as her group leader because she's reached her goal and she looks fantastic, but I'm also proud of her as her mum, because she hasn't just given into her health problems."

And Melinda has just received some good news about her health – she's been told her ovary syndrome no longer requires monitoring.

"I've lost enough weight and maintained it over time, that my doctors aren't worried about my health any more," says Melinda. "I've got a new lifestyle with new habits and hopefully they will be hard to break."

To find out more about Sarah's classes, in Tunstall, Biddulph, Chesterton and Goldenhill, call 01782 861964.