A Chester mum-of-five is hoping to use her slimming success to inspire others with her new group.

Lynn Johnson, from Upton, has trained as a consultant for Slimming World, the UK’s largest group-based weight loss organisation, at its national training academy in Derbyshire. She will be taking over her own groups in the suburb from Wednesday, January 24.

Her journey started in 2011, weighing in at 12 stone, joining her local Slimming World group. She went on to lose two stone to reach her target weight, where she has maintained it for over 10 years.

Lynn recalled: “I’ve struggled with my weight really from my early 20s and if I’m honest, along with my mum tried every diet going from ones that promised quick fix results to calorie counting every bit of food that I put in my mouth.

"The problem was I’d lose weight but then pile it back on, so I needed to start enjoying food, but I also needed to maintain it as it was having a really bad effect on my mental health and my confidence was at an all-time low.

"My mum's mobility was getting worse because of her weight, so I decided I had to change things for the better.

"A friend had told me about Slimming World and how well she was doing, so I made my mind up to go and took my mum along too. From the moment I walked through the door it was life changing, we were made to feel very welcome.

"Joining something at first can be nerve-wracking when you don’t know what to expect, but I was met by the consultant who explained what would be happening and it put both of us very much at ease."

Stepping off the scales after the first week, Lynn had lost an incredible 5½ lbs and this was the motivation she needed to keep going, achieving a half-stone loss in just two weeks.

Lynn added: “It was a big challenge for me to be around people and talk about how I felt after years of being a mother of five young children, I never had made time for me. I was pretty much a loner with no real friends. I sort of become afraid of the world and wouldn't go out unless it was really necessary.

"Since losing my weight and getting to target, I can actually look in the mirror and like what I see, as before I never had a mirror in my house. I actually have grown to like myself.

"It took a very long time to get to this point where I can talk and trust people again my mental health has improved, I have so much more energy and I have met some amazing people and life-long friends – thank you Slimming World.

“It's a privilege for me to be able to pass on the experience, insight and understanding that helped me, so that I can give my members the support they need. I know the challenges people face, which is why I will be there to support every one of my members all the way to their target weight.”

Tracey Evans, a consultant herself and a local team developer, said: “Slimming World consultants are chosen for their positive outlook and because they genuinely care about the health and happiness of others.

"With Lynn’s experience of being a successful Slimming World member, her kind personality and great sense of humour, I know she will be an amazing support to members, cheering them all the way to their target weight.”

Lynn will be embarking on her new consultant journey by taking over the Slimming World group held at Upton British Legion in Health Road every Wednesday at 7.30am, 9.30am, 11am, 5.30pm and 7pm from Wednesday, January 24.

For more information or to join Lynn’s group, either pop along or call her on 07702 191701.