Laura Bagshaw A MOTHER and daughter from Martham have lost almost 10st in weight collectively, turning their backs on yo-yo dieting. Shelley Hewitt and her daughter Kirsty have battled against bad eating habits to overcome a weight problem which saw them each tip the scales at more than 16st.

Laura Bagshaw

A MOTHER and daughter from Martham have lost almost 10st in weight collectively, turning their backs on yo-yo dieting.

Shelley Hewitt and her daughter Kirsty have battled against bad eating habits to overcome a weight problem which saw them each tip the scales at more than 16st.

More than a year after joining a slimming group and almost 10st lighter between them, Shelley and Kirsty say they could not have lost the weight without each other's support.

Kirsty, of Black Street, learned about Slimming World from a work colleague and with the support of her mum, decided to join her local group in October 2007.

The single mum had tried several unsuccessful diets.

“I would lose weight but I'd put it straight back on,” she said. “I was sceptical about Slimming World to start with, I didn't think it would be any different to the other diets, but I have lost weight and I'm still going.”

Mum of three and grandmother to one Shelley, 48, joined up mainly to support her daughter. She said: “I thought if I lost any weight it would be a bonus.”

And the Martham Primary teaching assistant admits she didn't realise how serious her weight problem was.

“I was horrified when I got on those scales. I was amazed to learn everything I thought I knew about food was wrong,” said Shelley.

Working as a supply chain consultant for insurance company Norwich Union, Kirsty's job takes her all over the country meaning there is little time for food preparation.

“I spend a lot of time in hotels which means I eat breakfast and often order room service. Because Slimming World is about food optimising I'm free to eat most things so long as I eat them in the right way. The diet fits with my job.”

The diet works by having green days eating foods like pasta, vegetables and salads and red days where dieters eat meat.

Shelley added: “I was amazed to learn everything I thought I new about food was wrong. With this diet you can eat most things and it is not small portions either. I thought you could only lose weight eating small portions.”

Kirsty, 27, piled on the pounds after having her son Joshua, now seven.

She explained: “Before I had my son I could eat everything I wanted and not put on weight.

After having Joshua I put on a lot of weight quickly because I just couldn't eat the things I used to.”

At her heaviest, Kirsty weighed more than 16st and admits to falling into bad habits.

“I would eat a lot of fast food. I just grabbed what I could without thinking.

“I would often calorie count my meals but I would snack a lot because I was still hungry.”

Kirsty has lost more than four stone and now weighs 12st 10lbs.

“I feel myself again,” said Kirsty. “When I walk past a mirror now I think my god is that me. I feel a lot more confident and I go out more.”

In the first week, Shelley lost 5lbs and the weight gradually fell off.

From being 16st 11lbs Shelley is now a trim 10st 13lbs and says her confidence and fitness has benefitted as a result.

One of the biggest changes for both Shelley and Kirsty is clothes shopping. Being a size 22, Shelley struggled to find clothes that would fit and couldn't shop in high street stores.

She admitted: “I hated shopping and I used to be embarrassed when I walked into a shop. It was a horrible experience that I would only do if necessary but now I walk into a shop and I know I can fit into the clothes.

“I even love window shopping now.”

And both acknowledge the help and support from each other. Kirsty added: “We couldn't have done it without each other.”