A TEACHER has shed her sadness and ten stone of weight.

Mum-of-two Rachel Cohen, 38, who lives in Maldon, said: I had been overweight my whole life.

“It started with a bit of puppy fat but this led to bullying during my first year at secondary school and consequently my sadness caused me to eat.

“At times, I was very miserable but I hid it very well through my loud and sociable manner.”

In December 2011, her mother decided to take her to Weight Watchers.

She said: “It was my mum who told me that I had to do something, that my children needed me.

“It was exactly what I needed to hear. Even though it upset me, I realised she was right.”

“I was mortified. I didn’t know how long I would do this, whether or not I could do this but I knew I wanted to give it a go. I never looked at the long term, just set myself small goals.”

Together with her coach Simone Christie, she lost ten stone in three years and has maintained that weight.

To celebrate her tenth wedding anniversary with husband Richard last year they renewed their wedding vows.

Mrs Cohen said: “It was lovely to have a completely different dress. I felt amazing.

“I teach secondary school children and I often show them my before pictures - they cannot believe it.

“But what I tell them is this, anything is possible.

“But you’ve got to really, really want it and be prepared to work for it. And it’s never too late to try.

“Life is good and I am happy.”

The teacher at the Boswells School in Chelmsford now exercises every week with support from her children Emily, aged nine and Ben, aged six.