A mum from Wolverley has "completely changed her life" after undergoing an incredible weight loss transformation.
Paula Haywood, aged 52, started to put on weight following the breakdown of a previous relationship several years ago.
At 16 stone, the extra weight was ruining her self-confidence and affecting her everyday life including her health.
Despite initially dropping seven and a half stone through Slimming World, she started to put the weight back on when she met her now-husband Wayne and later developed a hernia.
Ms Haywood, who works for Jet2 and is a Slimming World consultant, said: "My weight loss really came in two parts. After my previous relationship ended, I was 18 stone and the weight was having such a big impact on my life.
“My dream was to fit into a Jane Norman dress so I used that as my inspiration to look and feel amazing. I managed to drop seven and a half stone and went from a size 18 to a size 4.
"I kept eating healthy for a while but when I met Wayne, I was so happy that I started to put on weight again. I think I put on around four and a half stone."
Doctors told Ms Haywood that they were unable to operate on the hernia in her stomach due to her weight and even if they could, she might not survive the operation.
She said: "It was a big wake-up call when I was told they couldn't operate on me. I turned to a Slimming World consultant and managed to lose four and a half stone to have my operation but was told the mesh would likely only last twelve months.
"I remember going into the operation and telling my husband, Wayne, that I couldn't promise I'd survive it. I can't express how scary and difficult that was for us."
By dropping four and a half stone, Ms Haywood managed to pull through the operation with the mesh still in place more than four years later.
She has now decided to give back to the Slimming World community by becoming a consultant herself and helping others "make their dream weight a reality".
Ms Haywood, who is originally from Halesowen, said: "The consultants at Slimming World helped me completely change my life so I wanted to do the same for other people. I absolutely love helping others make their dream weight a reality and it is really emotional to see the journey that everyone goes on.
"It isn't easy especially as I started during Covid, but being a consultant for three and a half years has been an incredible experience and I would recommend it to anyone thinking of doing it."
Ms Haywood runs a group at The Cornerstone Rooms in Stourport every Saturday and has now re-launched a group at Foley Park Methodist Church in Kidderminster on a Thursday.
The session runs from 9.30am until 11am every week with Ms Haywood encouraging people to get involved.
She said: "People can feel a bit nervous when they first come to the group but you will be met with a warm welcome from me and the other members. We've all been on a journey and gone through the good and bad days.
"The group gives people hints and tips to lose weight and proves that you can still enjoy your life whilst eating healthy.
"It has had a huge impact on my life and it is a real lifesaver. It could be the difference between having an operation and being turned away."
For more information visit www.slimmingworld.co.uk/group/560060
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