A WOMAN who put on weight after the tragic death of her mother says she has found new lease of life after losing more than three stone.

Hayley Baker, who lives in Colchester, said she would “end up in tears” when looking at pictures of herself after piling on the pounds in her late teenage years.

The slimming expert admitted she and her twin brother, Nick, had lived on “nerves and emotions” since the age of six knowing their mum had been diagnosed with cancer, and so turned to food.

Tragically, their mother died when the pair were aged just 17-years-old.

Gazette: Happy - Hayley Baker has celebrated losing three stoneHappy - Hayley Baker has celebrated losing three stone

“I became the mum of the house, cooking meals for my dad and twin brother,” said Hayley 36.

“It was very hard for me around college and work but I knew I had to do it, but it did leave us with bad eating habits, sometimes not eating, and then overeating - gradually the weight crept up.”

During her late teenage years and early twenties, the now slimming consultant became aware she was overweight and began to feel uncomfortable in her own skin.

“I felt so huge and frumpy that I avoided going out. When I saw photos of me on social media I would end up in tears and delete them,” she said. 

Gazette: Before - Hayley put on weight during her late teenage yearsBefore - Hayley put on weight during her late teenage years

“It was those pictures of both myself and Nick that, after feeling horrified and completely embarrassed, we knew something had to change and that’s when we found our local Slimming World group.”

During her journey, Hayley reveals she discovered she has an underactive thyroid, polycystic ovary syndrome and endometriosis, which all make losing weight a greater challenge.

But, having defied all the odds, she has since shifted three stone and has been teaching others how to do the same for three years.

Gazette: After - Hayley as she is todayAfter - Hayley as she is today

She will now be taking on Slimming World’s Tuesday night group at Highwoods Community Centre, in Highwoods Square, Colchester.

Hayley added: “Slimming World has made me the happiest person, given me confidence and made me want to help other people.

“I have great passion to help and support people as I know what a massive difference it made to my life.”