A woman from Basildon, Essex, who was warned by her GP that she would die by age 45 if she did not lose weight, has lost 14 stone (88.9kg) in 18 months through diet and exercise alone.
Cheryl Blythe, now 33, weighed 24 stone (152.4kg) when she received the stark warning at age 31. She said a day trip to Southend with friends was the turning point, when she realised they had become her carers due to her health issues.
Ms Blythe turned down a gastric band operation, opting instead to learn about healthy eating. She also took up exercise. 'I knew my health wasn't good and the things I heard from my doctor scared me,' she said.
Before losing weight, she suffered from breathing problems, back pain, and difficulty walking. After the Southend trip, she said she 'couldn't pretend I was OK any more.' She joined Slimming World two days later and has since been named the organisation's Woman of the Year.
'My health problems have disappeared, I no longer sit on the sidelines while my family have fun without me, my friends aren't my carers any more, I can wear whatever I want - the list is endless,' she said.
