A mum is slimmer for summer since shedding more than five stone after the thought of going swimming left her in tears.

Jennifer McGregor, 46, of Roxwell, weighed 17 stone 9 when she went on holiday to Camber Sands Park Resort with her family in 2013. 

She became determined to slim down after her children, Hannah, now 11, and Jack, now eight, found her in tears, unable to face the thought of joining them in the swimming pool. 

She said: "Our holiday caravan had mirrored wardrobes and as the family waited for me to change, I looked in the mirror and just cried.

I couldn’t bear to let them down, but I couldn’t bear to face the pool looking as I did either. My confidence was at an all-time low and I felt terrible for not joining in. I got dressed and resolved to do something about it."

Four days after getting back from holiday, she joined Slimming World and has since shed an impressive five and a half stone. 

She said: "I never thought for a moment, I’d be the active Mum I have become.

"With the help of Slimming World’s body magic I started walking the dog, six months in I joined the gym and two months after that I took part in the WOLF run – 10K through water, lakes, obstacles and forests!

“The result of me being happier, is a happier family.

"We now spend time together swimming, cycling and playing badminton and I just love going clothes shopping with my daughter!”

"I’d tried other diets before but this was different.

"The great thing about the Extra Easy plan was that our whole family was able to continue to eat our family favourites together; Burger, chips and coleslaw, spaghetti Bolognese, fish, chips and mushy peas or a full English Breakfast – I’m NEVER hungry and with the small changes I have made to the way we shop, cook and eat, I know I’m setting my children up for a healthier future.

"In fact, by following Slimming World’s Food Optimising, my brother has lost 11 1/2 stone, my sister 5 1/2 stone and my Mum 1 1/2.

"That’s 24 stone lost as a family, its amazing!”

Jennifer now wants to help others who may feel as she did and from June 4 will be taking over Newland Spring Slimming World Group at 7.30pm every Thursday at Newlands Spring Community Association, Dickens Place, Chelmsford. 

To find out more, pop along or call Jennifer on 07792 516866