Mother-of-five Christine Connor, 66, from Gatley in Stockport, found herself trapped in a convenient eating cycle due to her busy life balancing work and family. His addiction to convenience foods saw his weight climb to a staggering 17 pounds.

The turning point came during a shopping trip with her daughter, where the only clothing she could fit into was a size 24. “After my fifth child, I was very overweight,” Christine confessed.

“I was working full time and running around after five kids. I lived on convenience foods and convenience foods.

“This went on for years, but during that time I gained more weight and stopped socializing because I was ashamed of my appearance and the fact that I didn’t have the confidence to wear clothes adjusted.

“I was so embarrassed. I knew I was overweight because I had stopped buying clothes and going out, but I didn’t realize I was a size 24. I was devastated,” reports the Manchester Evening News.

With her 25th wedding anniversary vow renewal on the horizon, Christine joined Slimming World alongside her daughter.

Recalling the emotional moment, she said: “When I found out how upset I was (about my weight), my daughter said to me, ‘I know how you feel, I feel the same way. thing’.”

It was at that moment that Christine realized she had to make a change not only for herself, but also to support her daughter.

Christine achieved an astonishing five kilos of weight loss in just 18 months, leaving her “buzzing” with the results.

However, as work took over, her visits to the World weight loss group became less frequent and she noticed her weight had returned.

Eventually, Christine picked up a rock and stopped participating in the group altogether.

Over time, she found herself three stone over her target weight, and despite two years of trying to lose weight, she gained another stone.

The turning point came when her son gave Christine and her husband tickets to see The Moody Blues.

She said: “My son once saved up and bought my husband and I tickets to see a concert.”

Her weight and loss of confidence led her to refuse to attend, causing her son distress and replacing him.

This incident left Christine with deep regrets, prompting her to recommit to her weight loss journey.

She joined Minceur Monde and started martial arts classes with her grandchildren, also taking up aerobics and Pilates by joining a gym.

This renewed commitment to a healthy lifestyle has largely paid off; In 2019, Christine weighed 10st 5st, having lost a total of seven stone.

Now donning size 10 clothes, she radiates confidence. “I am very confident now,” she says.

“I am happy with my weight and passionate about the world of slimming, sport and martial arts. I am aiming for my black belt next year.

“The best advice I can give is to keep doing the classes and stick with it. It’s the best thing that ever happened to me. The support, help and understanding you receive in classes is incredible. I need support.”

Christine now has the chance to lead her own Slimming World group, which she will launch with Thursday evening meetings at Heald Green United Reformed Church, starting October 24.

She added: “I’m so excited to be able to support others on their weight loss journey, as I have been supported.

“We’re going to have the best group.”