A MOTHER who was suffering from high blood pressure has turned her life around to be named East Anglian slimmer of the year after losing almost eight and a half stone.

John Howard

A MOTHER who was suffering from high blood pressure has turned her life around to be named East Anglian slimmer of the year after losing almost eight and a half stone.

Gillian Laight, from Battisford near Needham Market, now jogs and cycles and is the winner of this year's District Woman of the Year 2008, beating more than 7,000 Slimming World members in the region.

Mrs Laight, 37, who is five feet seven inches tall, topped the scales at 20 stone two pounds before taking action and staying focussed between January 2007 and September 2008.

She felt she desperately needed to lose weight, not only for health reasons including high blood pressure, but so she could keep up with her toddler son.

The final crunch came when she visited her doctor, who with no hesitation told her that she needed to lose weight, especially if she wanted to enjoy her son growing up.

Mrs Laight, who works as a part-time secretary in Woodbridge and is married to software project manager Robert, 39, said: “I felt sick when the night came to join. I was scared, embarrassed and ashamed, but as I walked through the door and was met by a room full of friendly faces, I knew I had come to the right place and that I wasn't going to be doing this by myself.

“I also met my consultant who has become my rock, believed in me, and supported me from day one. The eating plan is so easy to follow and the fact that I can fill up on so much healthy food, and never feel hungry, has kept me going week after week.

“I have been overweight since the age of 12, and now feel a new woman, am now able to join in with many activities and play with my son, Thomas, instead of just watching.”

Her favourite food during her weight loss was cottage pie with butternut squash topping and attributes her success to the support of her group.

Now an amazing eight stone and six pounds lighter she has totally transformed her life, her health has improved, her blood pressure and cholesterol have reduced to normal levels.

She will be representing East Anglia in the national semi final in Derbyshire on October 12, and hopes to go onto the national finals in Birmingham on November 8.

Mrs Laight attends the Slimming World group at the Community Centre, Combs Ford, Stowmarket, where her consultant is Bev Smith. To find your nearest group telephone 0870 075 4666 or visit the website www.slimming-world.com