AT the age of 42 Stephanie Nutter was fed up of feeling frumpy and being called "the fat friend" so she decided to make a committed effort to lose weight.

Stephanie, from Leigh, joined Slimming World in January 2018 when she weighed 16st 9lbs and

and went on to lose 6st 10.5lbs up until August this year when she was 9st 12.5lbs.

The mum-of-two remembers how she regularly used to struggle with her health.

Stephanie, 44, said: “I needed to be healthier because I was obese and struggling with terrible panic attacks.

"I am the main carer for my husband Ian and when I was overweight I struggled to have the energy to cope with our lifestyle and face the struggles we have.

"I knew I needed to do something about it."

The final straw for pushing Stephanie into making a lifestyle change was when she bent down to tie her shoe laces and found it to be a huge struggle which left feeling light-headed.

After transforming her body she is now more confident and shares her journey on YouTube and Instagram to help others.

“I can now tie my shoe laces without feeling light-headed and I can go clothes shopping", she said.

“Joining Slimming World reminded me how much I enjoy cooking.

"My family enjoy the same meals as me like spaghetti bolognese and if the day is busy I can put pulled pork or pea and ham soup in the slow cooker."

Ian and her daughter Kelly-Marie, 19, have been a huge support to her and given her words of encouragement such as “well done slim" and good luck loser”.

Stephanie’s weight loss achievement was further rewarded after she was crowned Greatest Loser 2019 and Woman of the Year in her group.

She said: “I was speechless to receive these awards and my group gave me the confidence to keep going on my journey."

Stephanie attends slimming consultant Sarah Cargill's group on Mondays at Kingsleigh Methodist Church on King Street.

Sarah added: “I’m so proud of Stephanie, it’s not easy to make that time for yourself when you care for someone else.

"She is a huge inspiration to others in group."