A WOMAN has transformed her life after shedding 7.5 stone in 18 months.

Victoria Ogden said she has ‘struggled’ with her weight since she was a teenager. The Bury woman was unable to climb the stairs without being out of breath when she first began attending weight loss sessions.

When Victoria first committed to losing weight in February 2016, she was unable to exercise due to ‘bad knees’.

But she has since dropped 10 dress sizes and attributes her success to joining a Radcliffe Slimming World group.

Victoria said: “When I first joined Slimming World, I couldn’t event walk upstairs without being out of breath.

“Like a lot of slimmers, I had tried to lose weight so many times before by following numerous diets. You name it, I had tried it. But they were never sustainable because I’d always get tired of restricting what I ate.

“Weight had been an issue since I was a teenager and I thought I was destined to struggle with my weight for the rest of my life. “

Once Victoria had lost four stone, a friend called upon her to take part in the Manchester 10k for the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital.

In December 2016, inspired by other people’s weight loss stories, she took the plunge and applied. With help from the Couch to 5K app and regular participation in park runs at Burrs Country Park, Victoria was able to take on the Manchester 10k in May 2017.

She said: “I ran that race non-stop, without walking, and I was so proud of myself. It was something I had only every dreamed of doing.”

Victoria is now using her success story, of dropping from a size 24 to size 14, to launch a new career with Slimming World.

As a trained consultant for the weight loss organisation, Victoria will open her own Little Lever group on Wednesday, November 1. “Obesity is becoming such a huge issue across the UK. When I first became a Slimming World member, I never dreamt that I would end up helping other people to lose weight but now I just can’t wait to get started. My role has never been more important”, Victoria said.

Around one in four adults are listed as obese, according to the latest Government figures, and it is estimated that this will increase to one in three by 2034.

Victoria said the ‘most important’ element for losing weight was the weekly support she received from fellow slimmers and intends to make this a key part of her new group.

Julie Reynolds, who runs Slimming World’s Bolton group and is Victoria’s team developer, said: “With Victoria’s experience of being a successful Slimming World member and her kind and warm personality and great sense of humour I just know that she’ll be an amazing support to members, cheering them all the way to their target weight.”

Victoria’s group will be held at Mytham Rose Village Hall, Little Lever, every Wednesday at 7pm. Call Victoria on www.slimmingworld.co.uk/joining-a-group/nearest-group.aspx