A YOUNG Caister mum is half the woman she used to be after shedding an incredible 10 stone in less than two years.Now tipping the scales at 11st 10lb, it is hard to believe that Roxy West ever had a serious weight problem.

A YOUNG Caister mum is half the woman she used to be after shedding an incredible 10 stone in less than two years.

Now tipping the scales at 11st 10lb, it is hard to believe that Roxy West ever had a serious weight problem.

After suffering from obesity since childhood, Roxy finally found the inspiration to battle the bulge following the birth of daughter Tiarna in 2007.

Since then the 20-year-old has transformed her lifestyle, swapping a diet of junk food for healthy meals of pasta, fish, salad and vegetables.

Her achievements have been recognised by fellow Gorleston Slimming World members who voted her the group's woman of the year. In just 10 months since joining the group last November, Roxy has lost four and a half stone and is now in the running for a �5,000 prize.

Roxy has also been supported by colleagues at Tesco in Caister and Juicy Lucy sandwich shop in Great Yarmouth where she works part-time as a customer assistant.

She said: “I decided when I had Tiarna that I didn't want her to grow up with the weight problems I experienced. At first I just ate much less, but joining the slimming group I realised it's possible to eat sensibly and still lose weight.

“I feel 100pc better since losing weight, have more energy and my skin and hair are far healthier.

“Starting to slim was a daunting prospect and I was unsure at first about joining the group as I thought everybody would stare at me. I couldn't have been more wrong, everyone is so friendly and my consultant Cira is so encouraging. In fact it is like a really big family and I have been made to feel so special since winning the award.”

Boyfriend Adam Watts has only been dating Roxy since she lost weight and has not seen her amazing transformation first hand.

A former Caister High School pupil, Roxy studied performing arts at Great Yarmouth College and is hoping to start acting again and set up her own slimming group.

Gorleston Slimming World consultant Cira McDonald said: “Roxy has done so well I am so proud of her. She's really proved it is possible to lose weight without drugs or surgery by following a filling and satisfying eating plan. She is a real inspiration to the group.”

Roxy will now go through to the district finals, where the winner will be named East Anglia's Woman of the Year 2009 and compete

in the national semi-finals. The top 10 semi-finalists will take to the stage for the final in November.

The national winner receives a luxury holiday or �5,000 cash and the nine runners-up all get �1,000.

Cira's Slimming World group is held every Thursday at Gorleston Library.