A SLIMMER who shed five stones has gained a whole new career.

Denise Jones from Little Lever lost the weight in 15 months and is using her weight loss experience to help others do the same.

Ms Jones, aged 55, was diagnosed with breast cancer in December, 2015 and spent a year undergoing treatment.

She said: “At the beginning of 2017 I was due to go back for surgery and they were flagging up my weight was an issue.

“That kick started it really. By the time I had the surgery I had lost two stone.”

NHS England says that around one in 20 cancer cases in the UK are linked to being overweight or obese and Ms Jones is taking up a role as a Slimming World consultant to help others.

Ms Jones, who works in children’s services in Salford, said: “Obesity is becoming such a huge issue across the UK. When I first joined Slimming World as a member, I never dreamed that I would end up helping other people to lose weight but now I just can’t wait to get started.

“After losing five stones and going on to have a healthy lifestyle it’s a privilege for me to be able to pass on the experience, insight and understanding that helped me.”

Ms Jones hit her five stone target last week, dropping from a size 24 to a size 16 with the help of Slimming World.

She said: “Support is really the most important thing. It all starts with feeling that you’re not alone. I couldn’t have lost five stone without the weekly help, encouragement and understanding of my own consultant and group.”

She added: “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, 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 and lean meat and fish, you are never 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.”

Ms Jones is keen that her new group will also help people get active using the Body Magic Programme.

She said: “Our programme takes the threat out of activity by showing people, many of whom have unpleasant memories of being forced to take part in activity at school, how they can build activity into their daily routine without having to take up traditional forms of exercise like going to the gym or running.

“Everything counts from walking to gardening to washing the car.”

Ms Jones Slimming World group is held at St Matthews Church House, Church Street, Little Lever every Monday at 4.30pm and 6.30pm.

For more information or to join call Ms Jones on 07419366475.