A KITCHEN assistant who stored secret stashes of snacks in her bedroom has lost half her body weight in just over a year.

Kerri Humble, from Stanway, weighed more than 22st before she joined Slimming World just over a year ago.

She now weighs a healthy 11st 7lbs.

Her determination to lose weight started when she saw a photo of herself in the Colchester Relay for Life.

She said: “I was shocked by how I looked and didn’t think I was that big.

“I thought something had to change. I’ve never really been a healthy weight as in primary school I was diagnosed with an auto immune condition.

“I was put on a lot of steroids and that started the weight gain.”

Doctors said she must lose weight as she was classed as morbidly obese.

She said: “After hearing that I just broke down crying.

“I also wanted to change for my niece who always wanted me to do activities with her.”

She started at Slimming World in Colchester in September last year and made small changes to her diet, such as using low-fat oil sprays instead of cooking oil.

Kerri, 27, said: “Now I have so much more energy and don’t feel tired and out of breath going up the stairs.

“I don’t really plan my meals. I always start the day with breakfast which is the most important meal of the day.

“I have porridge oats and banana on top with a big bowl of fruit.”

She loves making pasta dishes and shepherd’s pie.

Since losing the weight Kerri, who is a kitchen assistant at the Princess Charlotte pub in Stanway, said she finds her job easier and has more energy for activities including swimming and walking.

Being overweight had a huge impact on Kerri’s health, both mentally and physically.

She said: “The pressure of the weight would affect my joints, especially with having rheumatoid arthritis.

“At school I was bullied a lot due to my weight, which affected me mentally. I hated myself and couldn’t even look in the mirror. Every night I would have a secret stash in my room full of chocolate and crisps.”