A GREENSTEAD slimmer who was diagnosed with a serious health condition says it was the "wake up call" which led to her shedding more than four stone in a year.

Janette Abernathy, 59, of Greenstead, lost four stone and three and a half pounds after suffering a plethora of health conditions.

She is now noticing massive health differences, after the weight loss.

Prior to her weight loss, Janette suffered with back problems and onset arthritis in her knees.

In November of 2021, she was rushed to hospital with a gallbladder infection, and later that year she was advised to lose weight after being diagnosed with sleep apnea.

Sleep apnoea is when your breathing stops and starts while you sleep. 

Ready for change, she then decided to join her local Slimming World group in Greenstead, hoping to lose some weight.

Alongside her husband, she has had fun cooking meals from scratch, enjoying a diet of fish, chicken and stir fries.

Speaking on her weight loss journey, Janette said: “Back when all this began I had back problems and onset arthritis in my knees. 

"In November 2021, I was rushed to hospital with a gallbladder infection which was a real wake up call. 

“The final straw was when I was advised to lose a little weight after being diagnosed with Sleep Apnea in 2021."

Janette says the impact her weight loss has had on her life has been huge. 

She added: “I was really apprehensive, as I’d tried many different diets over the years, all to no avail.  I had such a lovely welcome and was amazed by the support I received from the group and my consultant Jennifer.

“I now can walk much further than I used to and I love it.  I’m in so much less pain and I’ve noticed that I’m taking a lot less painkillers than before.”

Jennifer Bebb, the consultant who runs the Slimming World group at Greenstead Community centre, on a Wednesday evening said: “Even losing just 10 per cent of your weight has a massive impact on health.

“Among the benefits are; reducing strain on the joints & improving back & joint pain, reducing breathlessness, and helping you become more mobile, making it easier to be more active as Janette has discovered.  I am so proud of what she has achieved.”