A woman who went from a size 24 to size 10 has shared her before and after transformation photos, as well as revealing how she lost the weight.
Danielle Griffiths, 27, of Warrington, Cheshire, weighed 21st 11lbs at her biggest and was diagnosed with sleep apnoea and swollen lymph nodes.
But it was the realisation her weight could affect her fertility that finally spurred her on to lose weight.
Discussing her pre-weight loss diet, Danielle said: “When I wasn’t trying to slim, breakfast would be a sugary cereal like Coco Pops, followed by a second breakfast of toast. I was having a huge side of carbs with every meal – usually chips.
“I would eat crisps and a whole packet of biscuits between meals and I had no idea about portion control.
“Now, looking back, I haven’t a clue how I managed to eat such huge plates of food.”
Danielle read up on her sleep apnoea and realised it could interfere with her future plans to have a family, so she decided to make a change.
She said: “I knew I was too young for these sorts of health problems and I knew it could affect my fertility. It really worried me.
“Having kids was important to me so I decided to enjoy Christmas and then embrace a whole new life in the New Year.
“I knew I wanted to get married and have kids. It was Christmas 2015, I’d been with Lee for years and knew he loved me, but my weight was already starting to affect my health.
“We weren’t trying for a baby, but we wanted kids and I knew getting pregnant would be so much harder and the risks would be much higher at my size. Something just changed in my mind and I decided that it would be my New Year’s resolution to finally beat this.”
In January 2015, Danielle joined her local Slimming World group and in under two years went from 21st 11lbs to a trim 11 stone 11lbs.
Explaining she was “addicted to carbs” before her transformation, Danielle revealed what she now eats to maintain her weight loss.
She said: “Joining Slimming World, I learnt I could eat lean meats and lots of veg. It was much healthier but I wasn’t going hungry.
“In the first week I lost 9lbs and from that point I was hooked. I have always had big loses but when I go off plan, I have huge gains so there have been ups and downs.”
As well as cutting down drastically on carbs, Danielle has used exercise to stay toned, and explained: “I did a six-week transformation programme with my trainer Ashley Owen at Body Sculpt in Warrington and it was invaluable.
“I don’t think I will ever be a gym bunny but it taught me what to do to make the most of my workouts and maximise my weight loss.”
Now Danielle, whose health has also improved dramatically, is looking forward to being a stunning bride and to starting a family with the love of her life.
She said: “My health problems have completely gone and I feel like a different person. Now I have a wedding to look forward to and maybe even children in the next few years.
“I have so much more energy and I just feel happier in my own skin. I do have some loose skin but that is part of the journey and I don’t think I would ever have surgery to get rid of it. For me it was about my health and now all my health problems have completely disappeared.”