A WOMAN who was once unable to do simple everyday tasks has marked a milestone on her weight loss journey.

Heybridge slimmer Leah Hood joined the village's Slimming World group just before lockdown in February 2020 after being overweight had impacted her health.

Leah has asthma and Crohn's disease and eating unhealthy food had worsened her condition.

Her day to day life became harder as simple tasks would make her feel out of breath.

Leah said: "I always felt like I was lacking energy, and like I was on a slippery slope to gaining more and more weight – I didn’t really see a way out."

Starting out at just more than 16 and a half stone, she says the welcome she received from the group was "incredible".

"Although this year has undoubtedly been tough for everyone, the motivation I get from group has helped me stay on track with my weight-loss journey and I feel like I can take on the world now," Lead added.

"As a group we’re closer than ever before, and I am so proud of myself."

Leah followed the group's food optimising eating plan and swapped high calorie meals for homemade chilli and rice, Slimming World curries, stir fries and more.

She says: “People think slimming means going hungry, yet it’s not like that at all with this healthy eating plan.

"I love food and it’s never once felt like I was on ‘a diet’ – even during lockdown I’ve been able to make whatever is in the supermarket or my store cupboard fit."

Now at 11 and a half stone, losing a total of five stone, Leah is more active and has regularly walked further and further over the months.

Molly, who runs the Heybridge Slimming World group, said: "Looking after our health is more important than ever right now, and the changes Leah has told us about are incredible.

"I hope her success will inspire other people in Heybridge and Essex who’d like to lose weight, improve their health and form new lifestyle habits to take action."