A visit to the Harry Potter film studios ended in humiliation for a Great Yarmouth mum, and forced her to change her life.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: gym pic stories 0410gym pic stories 0410 (Image: Archant)

Marie Hunter is a huge fan of the Harry Potter books but during the studio visit she found there wasn’t a film costume to fit her size 24 for a special on-set photograph. Instead she was faced with putting an arm into two different robes and having them pinned together at the back.

“I felt embarrassed for my daughter Neve and husband Dave and knew I had to do something to somehow lose weight,” she said.

Now a year later Marie, 34, has written her own success story, losing nearly six stones and dropping five dress sizes. And the painful rheumatoid arthritis she has suffered with for years has eased, allowing her to walk and play with daughter Neve, seven.

“I love going swimming now with my family,” said the new-look slimline Marie.

Looking through the Mercury, she spotted an advert for a Slimming World group and joined the next week.

“I felt sick and nervous, but I needn’t have worried as I had a really warm welcome and everyone was very reassuring. Now it’s the highlight of my week and I love to stay to group to talk to my friends and exchange how our weeks panned out. I have never felt judged, people just rally round each other offering support.

“I couldn’t believe how much food I could have and I ate more than I ever did, losing 5.5lb in my first week. My favourite meal has to be lasagne and chips followed by key lime pie and chocolate and the odd glass of wine too.”

Marie’s family all took to enjoying the meals she prepared and cooked and that made it easier.

She explained: “I’ve tried so many diets before and never stuck to them, falling off the wagon because things were banded or the family couldn’t eat them.”

Marie has gone on to lose five stone 13lb and now gets into a size 14 dress.

“Losing the weight has changed my life. I’m happier, healthier and have a new lease of life,” she said.

“I can’t wait to go back to the Harry Potter studios in November and I’m going to have my photo taken with everything,” a proud Marie added.

Claire Rawlinson, consultant at the Priory Centre Slimming World group said: “ I’m so proud of Marie seeing the happier, healthier Marie grow in confidence is amazing and an inspiration to many other people who walk through the door.”

To find out more about Slimming World, call Claire on 07841870430 or go along to the Priory Centre on Tuesdays at 5.30pm or 7.30pm or Wednesday at 10am or noon.