A SLIMMER who transformed her life by losing five-and-a-half stone is using her success to shape a whole new career.

Joanne Wassell shed her weigh in just nine months after joining a Slimming World group in Lower Gornal.

She has since trained to be a consultant and will be opening her own group in Dudley on August 30.

Her group will meet every Thursday at St Francis Parish Church Hall, Laurel Road, from 7.30pm.

"When I first joined Slimming World as a member, I never dreamed that I would end up helping other people to lose weight," Joanne said.

"But now I just can't wait to get started. It's a privilege for me to be able to pass on the experience, insight and understanding that helped me, so that I can give my members the support they need to get to target."

She continued: "As someone who has lost weight myself I know the challenges people can face, which is why, along with the group, I will be there to support every one of my members all the way to their chosen target weight."

Recalling her own weight loss journey, Joanne said: "Like a lot of slimmers I had tried to lose weight so many times before by following numerous diets but they were never sustainable because I'd always get tired of restricting what I ate.

"I thought I was destined to struggle with my weight for the rest of my life, telling myself this is just the way I am, but when I came to Slimming World it was different.

"I never felt like I was on a diet. The eating plan encourages you to eat lots of tasty, filling foods like pasta, rice, potatoes, lean meat and fish.

"You never go hungry and no foods are banned so there's no deprivation. I couldn't believe I'd found a way to lose weight without starving myself. Sharing ideas in group you soon grasp the idea of food optimising which means that I am free to enjoy normal food like burgers, curries and even chips!

"I've honestly never eaten and enjoyed so much food."

For more information about the plan, call Joanne on 07834 686331.