A SUPER slimmer who has lost more than half her body weight has become one of a select few to pick up a special award.

Caroline Smith, 50, has lost 12 and-a-half stone making her one of a select few to win Slimming World’s Club 50 Award.

The awards celebrate members who have lost 50 per cent of their body weight and was created celebrate the firm’s 50th birthday.

The mother-of-two said: “I’ve been overweight for 30 years of my life. I’m so proud and happy to win this award, especially in such a monumental year for Slimming World.

“I feel like a new woman since losing weight. I look so different people who I haven’t seen for a while often can’t believe I’m the same person.

“For me though it’s the change on the inside that’s been the greatest. I’m happier, healthier and much more confident now.

“My weight impacted on so many aspects of my life, from struggling to find clothes that I like to fit, to not being able to do simple everyday tasks without feeling tired and out of breath.

“Before I lost weight, I hated having my photo taken and whenever I saw pictures of myself, I didn’t feel like my smile was real yet now I’m beaming.”

The Stanway resident’s weight loss journey started back in January 2017, when she joined the St Cedds Shrub End Slimming World group in Colchester, which is run by coach Paul Gibbs.

At the time she weighed 24 stone and 12 pounds, today weighing less than half that at 12 stone five pounds.

She says walking through the door to her first meeting was “one of the hardest things I’ve ever done”.

“Since then I’ve made so many friends at the group and I honestly don’t think I could have done it without their support each week,” Caroline said.

“They helped me with recipes and tips and if I was ever struggling, they were always there to build me up and remind me why I’d wanted to lose weight in the first place and how far I’d come since first stepping through the doors.

“I still enjoy all my favourite meals like burgers and chips and roast dinners, but I’ve learned how to make small changes like using lean meat or cooking with low calorie spray instead of oil or butter.”

“It fits in so well with the rest of my family and we can all eat the same meals.

“I know that I haven’t ‘gone on a diet’, this is a change that I’ve made for life and I have the tools I need to stay like this forever. My smile is definitely real now.”

Mr Gibbs added: “The changes we’ve seen in Caroline are incredible.

“I hope her success will inspire other people who’d like to lose weight by forming new lifestyle habits and as a result, become happier and healthier to come and join us.

“There’s a warm welcome waiting at Slimming World and, just think, if you start today you could soon feel like a completely new person, just like Caroline.”

Visit slimmingworld.co.uk to find out more about groups in your area.