A slimmer who says she feels like a ‘new woman’ since losing 6st has been named the Launceston Slimming World Woman of the Year.

Judy Bleay from Launceston has gone from 16st 8lbs to 10st 6.5lbs in 16 months. Now she’s been chosen to represent the Launceston Slimming World group in the nationwide Slimming World Woman of the Year 2015 competition, which aims to find the UK and Ireland’s top female slimmer.

Around one in four women in the UK and Ireland are severely overweight and at risk of suffering a range of health problems including diabetes, heart disease and cancer. Slimming World’s Woman of the Year competition recognises the achievements of women in making long-term healthy lifestyle changes for both themselves and their families.

Judy joined Slimming World in April 2014 after becoming increasingly unhappy with her size.

She said: “I started to put on weight after each of my three children, I kept some weight on but more crept on somehow over the years. In addition I put more on after I retired. I tried lots of other diets but they usually left me feeling hungry or miserable — or both, in fact.

“With Slimming World it’s completely different, I never have to miss out and I don’t have to get hung up on weighing and measuring everything I eat. I don’t feel deprived and after losing 6st I’m the slimmest — and the happiest — I’ve been in such a long time!”

The 72 year-old follows Slimming World’s Food Optimising eating plan, which encourages slimmers to fill up on satisfying yet healthy everyday foods like fruit and veg, lean meat and fish, pasta, potatoes, rice and pulses without having to weigh or measure.

Judy said: “I know a lot of people worry about joining a slimming club because they don’t know what to expect, I certainly didn’t. They needn’t be afraid though. Right from the first moment I walked into my Slimming World group I felt at home, the support and motivation I’ve received from my consultant Kate and the rest of the group has been brilliant."

For the full report, and a round-up of the area news and sport, see this week’s edition of the Post.