Super slimmers who transformed their body this year have shared their inspirational journeys to a healthier lifestyle.
Many people have found themselves piling on the pounds during a year which left us confined to our homes.
But some people have shown that it is still possible to lose weight and now they have shared their inspirational stories.
From health risks to helping themselves to feeling better about their bodies - these remarkable people have shared their stories.
Losing weight can help reduce the risk of type-2 diabetes and a number of other health issues.
As the thoughts of many of us turn from festive indulgence to New Year's resolutions we've rounded up some of the most inspirational stories of 2020.
So say well done to our super slimmers!
Nicolle Kelly lost 4st 1lb
Nicolle Kelly decided to give back to her body and dropped 4st after overcoming a harrowing health battle.
The 24-year-old, from Byker, has battled cancer twice and previously relied walking stick to walk to her local shop due to a spinal condition, high grade spondylolisthesis, causing her excruciating pain.
Her fluctuating figure brought on by comfort eating and steroids put further pressure on her spine and she described feeling as though she was trapped in the body of an elderly woman before deciding that she had to make a change in her life in January.
Nicolle said: "In January 2020 something clicked in my brain and I knew I needed to start giving back to my body after it had been put through so much abuse already."
She added: "Losing my hair and my body changing so quickly I felt like I was in a shell of my former self.
"I ended up gaining a lot of weight fast from a combination of comfort eating, fast food when I wasnt feeling well and aggressive steroids, alongside chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments."
When Nicolle beat cancer for a second time in September 2018, she decided to lose weight to live a happier, healthier lifestyle with her daughter Phoebe, now aged four.
She cut out her comfort eating habits, which often included sharing packs of doughnuts, crisps and half a whole cheesecake as a way of winding down on an evening.
And she introduced healthier habits such as swapping share-sized chocolate bars for a lower calorie, snack-size options and switching from cooking oils to fry-light spay.
Her healthier habits have helped her to lose 4st 1lb, slimming from 16st 7lbs to 12st 6lbs.
She has ditched her size 20 clothes for a size 14 and more than 4000 people follow her inspirational weight loss journey on her Instagram account @sw.nickelly.
Nicolle's full story can be read here.
Kristie-Ann Riley lost 10st 9lbs
When Kristie-Ann Riley welcomed her daughter into the world in 2016 she knew her life had to change.
As a size 28, she was embarrassed by her body and feared she would be unable to enjoy activities with her daughter, Isobel.
But following an incredible three-year transformation, and an impressive 10st 9lbs weight loss, Kristie-Ann has fulfilled her dream of running around the park with her daughter, aged three.
The 28-year-old, from Blyth, in Northumberland, said: "Before my weight loss I didn't want to do activities with Isobel, like swimming or playing in the park, because I was ashamed of my body and what people would think of me.
"But now I feel so much better and I can actually be bothered to do those normal things with her that I should be doing."
Kristie-Ann, who now wears a size 14-16, started her successful weight loss journey with Slimming World in April 2017.
And now she enjoys shopping for clothes, which she previously found difficult, and has gained confidence in her appearance.
Her inspirational weight loss has won her 'slimmer of the year', 'biggest loser' and 'Miss Slinky' for three consecutive years after being nominated by fellow group members.
And she credits the new approach to food for her continued success after admitting she has only attended a gym once in the last three years and only exercised by walking.
Kristie-Ann's full story can be read here.
Steve Rowe lost 12st
Super slimmer Steve Rowe is literally half the man he used to be.
Weighing over 33st at his heaviest, the 38-year-old civil servant started to struggle with daily tasks and was unable to do activities with his three children.
In May 2019, Steve, from Fawdon, started to become concerned about his health and knew something had to change.
He joined Slimming World after seeing the difference it made to a friend who lost 5st through attending the groups.
And now Steve has transformed his life after losing 12st and dropping from a 54 waist to a 40 waist in just 14 months.
Steve said: Ive been given a new lease of life and I have got much more energy.
"Im playing golf more and go to the gym three or four times a week. I am able to do more things other than worrying about being tired all the time. Im sleeping much better."
Steve's full story can be read here.
Anne Hammond lost 7st
Anne Hammond, from Esh, in County Durham, slimmed from a size 26 to a size 12 after refusing to be a 'fat mother of the bride'.
She was tired of being overweight and dreamed of dancing all night at her daughter Olivia's wedding reception.
With one year before the big day in July 2019, Anne joined Slimming World with the aim of losing 8st.
And after an incredible 6st weight loss, wedding guests clapped as she walked down the aisle before her daughter.
Anne, who has now lost 7st, said: "People who hadn't seen me for a while clapped when I walked down the aisle . It was lovely day and I felt fantastic."
She added: "I've got so many horrible photographs of me over the years that I just kept looking at them and thinking I don't ever want to be fat and look like that again."
After gaining weight on her fingers, Anne explained that her husband John had to cut her wedding ring off as it became so tight.
But on their 30th wedding anniversary last year, John was able to have the wedding ring mended and placed back on Anne's finger.
Anne, 57, said: "Having my wedding ring cut off was such a horrible experience and it felt so special when my husband was finally able to put the ring back on my finger - moments like that mean so much."
Now Anne feels more confident and can fit into clothes she has been unable to wear since she was in her early 20s.
She can enjoy activities such as dancing that once left her feeling out of breath, adding: "Now I can dance all night without getting out of breath and I have so much more confidence at work.
"My husband says it's like having a new wife without all of the hassle."
Anne's full story can be read here.
Ian Miller lost 8st 7lb
When Ian Miller noticed a decline in his fitness he knew something had to change.
His lifestyle consisted of numerous takeaways which provided a convenient meal while working away from home as a quality assurance manager.
But when he returned from a holiday in August 2019 he was shocked to see the man he had become.
It prompted him to spring into action and join his local Slimming World group after seeing a friend find success on the plan.
He swapped his regular pizzas and meals with chips for healthier Slimming World recipes and
A year of hard work and determination has allowed the 58-year-old from Chester-le-Street to completely transform his body by losing 8.5st.
His former 23st figure slimmed from a 4xl now fits into large clothing, following an impressive 14 inches from his waistline.
Ian said: "Without these health benefits, I cannot imagine how I would have managed through the COVID pandemic.
"I look back at the last 15 months and cant believe how successful my journey has been. Im proud of what I have achieved with the help of friends in group and family at home and am determined to keep my weight off forever."
Wendy Scott lost 6st 8lbs
When Wendy Scott saw a picture of herself with her grandson, the sight of her double chins spurred her on to lose weight.
At 16st 8lbs and standing just 5f ft 3 inches - she says she was as wide as she was tall.
But now the 48-year-old, from Walker, has totally transformed her body after losing 6st 8lbs.
And the grandmother who once experienced pains in her knees due to her weight is now planning to become a fitness instructor after finding a new lease of life.
Wendy said: "When I first started all I wanted was to lose some weight and make it easier for me to move around. I never thought in my wildest dreams I would have achieved what I did in just 12 months.
"I am still amazed at the food I can eat and all the things I can now do."
Wendys guilty pleasure was pastry and despite not overeating she found herself piling on the pounds.
Wearing a size 22, she struggled to find clothing in shops and resided herself to wearing jogging bottoms and baggy T-shirts.
However, after discovering new ways how to cook, replacing fattening foods with healthier substitutes, and integrating exercise into her daily routine she has managed to completely transform her body and now wears a size 8.
Wendy added: "I feel amazing, healthier and my outlook on life has changed so much."
Read Wendy's full story here.
Beth Lane lost 4st
Blaydon mum-of-two Beth Lane has lost 4st during lockdown for a very special reason.
The 29-year-old is on a mission to lose 6st and once she reaches her target she is looking to donate her eggs to help others who may be struggling to conceive.
The mum-of-two said: "Before I got married I was told there might be a low chance of having children as they suspected I had endometriosis, but then I conceived naturally.
"It would mean the world to me to be able to help others to have a family as I know how precious children are to me."
Beth weighed in at 16 stone 10 lbs and was in a size 20 dress when she decided it was time to change.
She felt uncomfortable in social situations, hated having her photo taken with her children and hid herself away under baggy clothes.
But after discovering a healthier lifestyle with Slimming World she now weights 12 stone 10lbs and has dropped to a size 14.
She feels more confident in photos and can capture memories with her children, aged one and two.
Beth added: "Since losing my weight I walk a lot further and faster before getting tired. And I wouldnt have dreamed about buying a new swimming costume for a spa weekend with my husband.
"I feel much more confident and comfortable. And I now actually dont mind getting my photograph taken with my children."
Beth's full story can be read here.
Philippa Wood lost 10st
When Philippa Wood was told she was too fat to go on a funfair ride on holiday she was so embarrassed she vowed to change her life.
Weighing almost 19st and wearing a size 22 she felt like she was considered the "fat friend".
Philippa, from Kenton, said: "I felt mortified in front of my new husband and embarrassed in front of the queue of people. I felt like people were staring at me because they knew why I had been refused, because of my weight.
"I cried and went back to the hotel room and didnt want to do anything. We went out at the night time and I didnt want to eat anything as I felt fat, ashamed and scared to eat as in that moment I felt like I needed to do something right there and then."
But now the 31-year-old has completely transformed her body and now wears a size 8 following an impressive 10st weightloss after a three-year transformation with Slimming World.
She has swapped her takeaway three nights a week for healthier homecooked meals with low fat ingredients.
Philippa added: "Now I have more energy, which is good with three little ones, and I finally feel like the real me and a good role model for my children.
"I feel confident and never feel like I cant do something because of my weight. I want to skydive and feel like I have more opportunity now that I have lost weight."
Read Philippa's full story here.
Adele Nichol-Wilson lost 2st 10lbs
Adele Nichol-Wilson's teenage years were plagued by low self-confidence as she watched her figure fluctuate.
Link:
The nine super slimmers who shed 65 stone to slim down in 2020 - Chronicle Live
