A WOMAN is celebrating her new slimline figure after losing 10 and a half stone.

Susanne Tewkesbury, from Weymouth, went along to Chickerell Slimming World group to support her mother, Yvonne Eaton, who was also referred by her GP as she was told she would need diabetes medication.

She said: “I was very nervous that first week, unsure whether I was doing the right thing.

“I was very conscious about my size.

“I thought I would be the biggest person in the room.

“Straight away mum and I were made to feel welcome.

“I realised that everyone in the room was there for the same reason, to lose weight and no one was judging.”

She added: “Before I started dieting I would skip breakfast and lunch and have a large evening meal, then snack on crisps, chocolate and wine until bed. Now I have three meals a day eating lots of fruit and vegetables with my meals.

“I really enjoy cooking now and look forward to my meals.

“All the family eat what I eat as the food isn’t faddy, it’s just healthy.”

Susanne has now gone from a size 28 in clothes to a size 12.

She said: “I feel much more confident and love shopping for clothes. Before, I had no interest in buying clothes and could only go to one shop.

“Now I shop anywhere.”

She added: “My family and friends have been very supportive throughout.

“I’ve been away for a few girly weekends, had a few glasses of wine and still lost weight.”

While she was losing weight Susanne started walking and using a treadmill to get fit.

She has now bought a bike and cycles everywhere.

She said: “I feel fantastic and healthy now. I couldn’t have done it without the group and my consultant Anne.”

Susanne was named the group’s Woman of the Year and her mum Yvonne also lost six and a half stone.

Dad Lawrence lost three and a half stone and husband Mark lost one and a half stone.

Susanne said: “It’s been life changing for all of us.”