Woman loses half her body weight

A woman from York has been crowned Slimmer of the Year after losing half of her body weight.

Five years ago, Zelda Haxby weighed a massive 35 st 7 lb and her self-confidence was so low that she would not leave the house as she thought she would be ridiculed, the Daily Mail reports.

It was only when the mother-of-two was hospitalised that she decided enough was enough and she embarked on a mission to shed the extra pounds.

The 47-year-old used her sons, Liam, 19, and James, 15, as her motivation to lose weight and keep it off.

Zelda shed 12 st in just one year having joined a slimming club and improved her diet.

She now weighs 15st 7lb, is a dress size 14-16 and told the newspaper she has started thinking about buying a swimming costume for the first time in years.

“I can’t believe I’ve done it. If you’d have told me five years ago I’d have lost 20 stone I would have said you’re mad,” Zelda said.

Last month, a report by the American College of Sports Medicine suggested that the best way to lose weight and keep it off is to combine healthy eating with a good exercise regime.

Care to share your weight loss secrets?