A MOTHER who piled on the pounds after complications having twins has lost more than seven stone in fifteen months.

Russell Claydon

A MOTHER who piled on the pounds after complications having twins has lost more than seven stone in fifteen months.

Michelle Summers has managed to drop eight dress sizes after changing her eating habits since joining a slimming club.

The 35-year-old from Ipswich has managed to lose more than the weight of her 13-year-old son since deciding to embark on the weight-loss programme with Slimming World in September last year and is now enjoying her hobby of horse riding again.

Mrs Summers, who lives with her husband John and three children on Browning Road, used to weigh 17 stone 11 lb but has now dropped down to 10 stone six lb.

The former ice-cream vendor admitted she used to divulge too much on the treat she sold and has cut out chocolate, burgers and chips from her diet in place of salads and poached fish.

She said: “When I was 21 I had twins and suffered pre-eclampsia. I spent a few months in hospital when I was pregnant and had them when I was 30 weeks.

“I was given steroid injections and I did gain a lot of weight and could not lose it whatever I did.

“I went along to the doctors with my husband who suffers heart problems when he was told he was obese and high risk knowing I weighed more and I decided enough was enough.

“It was when I lost the weight I realised how bad it was.”

She is now within sight of her 10 stone target and is wearing size 10 clothes for the first time since she was at school.

Mrs Summers, who competes in horses riding competitions through the Newton Hall Equitation Centre in Swilland, said: “Previously I could only go on the large horses usually reserved for the men, and my weight meant that I had use a mounting block... now I can ride any horse and can get on them from the ground.

“I have been show jumping at the stables and I have even done cross-country since I lost the weight - I was placed 12th in a mini one day event.”

She has been named Slimmer of the Year at the group in Highfield Approach, Ipswich.

The mother of two 13-year-old boys and an eight-year-old girl, said: “I was actually shocked. I set myself a target of 10 stone back then and I thought I might grind to a halt but it is just coming off. I lost three pound this week.

“I knew I could do it but I did not think I could do it as quickly as I have.”