A DRAMATIC weight loss of over four stone has left a Flintshire mum feeling 'fantastic'.

Hayley Byrne's had just celebrated her 40th birthday and had enjoyed eating her special birthday cake, chocolates, sweets and an Indian meal.

But, over the next few weeks, she found that she was feeling tired, out of breath walking up the stairs and in pain with her knee.

Read more: Weight loss journey starts 'with the feeling you're not alone'

Hayley, from Holywell, said: “I was feeling rather rubbish so visited my GP who sent me for blood tests, the results showed a fatty liver and I knew there and then I had to do something."

The Leader: PIC: Hayley at the start of her weight loss journey.

On July 1, 2021, Hayley walked into her local Slimming World group's session for the first time where she was greeted by consultant Anthony.

She added: "I had such a lovely warm welcome from him and the rest of the group I was immediately put at ease and knew I’d made the best decision. The group was so friendly and supportive I knew I was in the right place to get the help and support I needed.

"I thought chocolate would be completely off a menu and I thought I would have to go without but I was excited to see it wasn't off the menu at all. 

"All I had to do now was jump on the scales and see how much I weighed. I felt shocked and embarrassed to see the result on the scales, it was the heaviest I've been. Again Anth put me at ease, absolutely no judgement just lots of encouragement for my first week ahead. I went away feeling so motivated and determined.”

In her first week, Hayley lost 6.5lb and was buzzing with the result.

The Leader:

PIC: How Hayley looks now following a four stone weight loss. 

Hayley adds: “Even at 40 I still love a shiny sticker so love to put those awards on the back of my book. The best one was my Target Award!

"I lost four stones, four pounds, and achieved my target within eight months. It's a life change, not a diet! I also won my group's Miss Slinky Award, something I’m extremely proud of. It really is a family affair with support at home from my husband who has also lost weight eating healthily with me.”

"I feel full of energy and fantastic. I now have a healthy liver and I'm in a healthy BMI range. I can now be the fun fit and healthy mum I always wanted to be to our beautiful daughter Sienna whose four-and-a-half years old, I don't feel embarrassed by my weight anymore."