A SUPER Halesowen slimmer has been named her Slimming World group's ‘Woman of the Year’ for 2018 thanks to her weight loss.

Yvonne Woodhouse has lost two stone in six months and has now been chosen to represent the Stags Slimming World group in the nationwide Slimming World Woman of the Year 2018 competition – which aims to find the UK and Ireland’s most inspiring female slimmer.

The competition recognises the achievements of thousands of women up and down the country who have made long-term healthy lifestyle changes.

Yvonne said: “I never could have dreamt that I’d be in this position when I first began my weight loss journey. Losing weight has made such a big difference to me.

“My health is better, I have more energy, I’m happier and I feel more comfortable in my own skin.”

She joined Slimming World in January after becoming increasingly unhappy with her size.

“I started to put on weight and I tried lots of different ways to lose weight but they usually left me feeling hungry or miserable – or both, in fact,” she said.

“My family and friends are all amazed by how much I can eat and still lose weight. I still eat many of the same meals that I did before I started losing weight. Now I just prepare and cook them differently – and they taste so much better.

“I know a lot of people worry about joining a slimming club because they don’t know what to expect. Right from the first moment I walked into my Slimming World group I felt comfortable though, and the support I’ve received has been amazing.

“I look forward to going each week to catch up with all of my new friends and share tips, recipes and advice. I just love it.”

Said she was blown away in her first few weeks due to the quick impact the changes had made. As the weight started to come off, her fitness improved.

Yvonne, who now loves doing yoga, said: “I feel like a different woman to the one who walked into Slimming World six months ago.

“Winning Woman of the Year is a real honour because there are so many amazing women in our group. I remember feeling like there was no hope when it came to my weight, but I’ve realised that when people believe in you – and you believe in yourself – you can do anything you set your mind to.

“I really hope my weight loss can inspire other people to get started on their own journey and know that there’s a whole group of people waiting to support them every step of the way – especially at the Stag and Three Horseshoes group.

“My goal now is to hit my target and stay there for life, which I know I can do.”

Ellie Hunt, who runs the Stags group, added: “I’m so proud of Yvonne. She’s a fantastic ambassador for Slimming World and what she’s achieved is nothing short of incredible.

“She’s a huge inspiration to everyone in our group and I hope she inspires other women – and men – in Halesowen to change their lives in the same way.”

The Stag Slimming World group is held every Thursday at 7pm. To find out more about the group, call Ellie on 07970 600763.