STANDING in the pouring rain outside Buckingham Palace today, waiting for the Thinking Slimmer Marathon runners to come past convinced me I have the best job in the world. Being able to help people like Darin, Becca and Dawn is so rewarding. They filled me with pride as they showed the world that anything is possible if you want it to happen.

The look on their faces as they kissed their medals said it all: Team Thinking Slimmer had achieved the most amazing feat by completing the 2012 London Marathon. Dawn Walton, Becca Jones and Darin McCloud have done what seemed impossible a year ago and run 26 miles around the streets of the capital.

    Darin, Dawn and Becca proudly kiss their medals at the finish

Amazingly they have made such a dramatic transformation to their lifestyles that they have turned into real athletes. Dawn, from Dundee, has lost five stone with her Slimpod, Darin, from Portsmouth, has lost a similar amount and Becca, from London, has lost two stone. But their achievement is about more than just weight loss.

I’m so thrilled at the way they have made a massive lifestyle change and they all know this change is a permanent one. I was proud to be at the finishing line to see Team Thinking Slimmer do so well. It was a miserable afternoon but their smiles at the finish literally lit up The Mall, as you can see from the pictures below.

Darin has always said: “If I can do it anyone can do it.” And he’s right. That’s how effective Thinking Slimmer can be. Fancy running in Team Thinking Slimmer next year? I’m taking names already…

      A wave and a salute for all the cheering onlookers

     Becca is amazed to see me cheering her and Darin on

      Darin gives me a hug outside the Palace

      And a kiss from me for Becca, too

    Darin, Dawn and Becca proudly show their medals