A SUPER slimmer is now half the woman she once was having lost 11st in a year.

Tracy Arnold joined the Abbots Activity Centre Slimming World group in Colchester in March last year, feeling unhappy about her size.

Weighing around 20st, she would regularly eat family sized packs of crisps and chocolate bars.

However, with her determination and support from other slimmers she has lost 11st 3lbs in just over a year, dropping from a dress size 28 to 12.

Tracy, from Colchester, said: “When I first joined the group I never dreamt I would be in the position I am now.

“Losing weight has made such a big difference to my life.

“My health has improved, I have more energy, I’m happier and I feel more comfortable in my own skin.

“I started to put on weight as I always bought family size crisps or chocolate which I had to myself, plus cream cakes as dessert.

“I would eat a twin pack most evenings.

“I tried a number of different ways to lose weight but they usually left me feeling hungry or miserable – or both, in fact.”

At Slimming World she was still able to eat her favourite meals, cooked in a healthier way.

She said: “I never have to miss out and I don’t have to get hung up on weighing and measuring everything I eat.”

Tracy lost more than 12lbs in her first week. As the weight started to come off she started swimming and attending the gym.

She said: “Most of all I loved running about with my nieces at Colchester Zoo, that was magic.

“I feel like a different woman and winning Woman of the Year is a real honour because there are so many amazing women in our group.”

Tracy joins Clare Brown, Liz Tappenden and Sandra Dobby who have also been entered into the Woman of the Year competition.

They have been chosen to represent the Abbots Activity Centre Slimming World group in the nationwide Slimming World Woman of the Year 2019 competition, which aims to find the UK and Ireland’s most inspiring slimmers.

Alice Turburville, who runs the Abbots Activity Centre group, said: “I’m so proud of all my Women of the Year.

“They are fantastic ambassadors for Slimming World and what they’ve achieved is nothing short of incredible.”