"I was losing out on things like taking Liam for a paddle in the sea or running after him. And I knew as the boys got older, I would miss out on lots of other special things to do with them. I remember deciding there and then that I was going to do something about my weight."

Sue had been putting on weight for 10 years. In her 20s, she relied on takeaways or ready meals in the evenings after work. So when she met Dave in 2003, she was a size 18. A year later, Sue had her gall bladder removed - and she ate her way to recovery. And then when she got pregnant with Liam in 2005, she again used it as an excuse to eat anything she wanted.

"I really did say I was eating for two and used it as an excuse," says Sue who lives in Swadlincote, Derbs. After Liam was born, she was nearly 19st and suffered with Postnatal Depression (PND)- which led her to eat more. "I wasn't leaving our house for weeks on end," she says. "It was only when Liam was three months that I opened up to Dave that something was wrong. After I was diagnosed with PND I was prescribed medication, but it was through visiting a mother and baby unit that I was able to talk about it and learn skills to cope."

Sue lost 1st 7lb as she recovered and the couple married in 2007 - when Sue wore a size 18 dress. But she put on weight again and soon got pregnant with Hayden. "I was scared I would become depressed again, and I began turning to food." But it was when the family went away to a caravan in Weymouth, Dorset, the reality of how big she was hit Sue.

"I was angry that I'd filled up on rubbish food," she says. "I knew I had to take control of my life and not be haunted by this depression." So as soon as she got home from holiday, she went along to a Slimming World class. She was shocked when she saw she was 18st 4lb, but was determined to stick with it. "I lost two-and-a-half pounds in the first week and seemed to lose every week after that. The more weight I lost, the more confident I got. As Dave was eating what I was eating, he lost four stone too."

Sue became more active and started going to the gym. "I love Strictly Come Dancing and always wanted to dance like them, so in September Dave and I began classes and I love it. I know if I was as big as I'd been before, I would never have done it."

Sue is 11st 3lb and a comfortable size 12. She lost 7st in 16 months and hasn't felt better - or fitter. Sue then trained to take her own classes and in May this year she was crowned Slimming World consultant of the year. She says: "This year on holiday it will be totally different. When we head for the beach, no one will be able to stop me putting on my bikini and shorts!"

Sue's menu

Before

After

• Breakfast: Quorn sausage, tomato, mushrooms, bacon and egg.
• Snack: Banana and a fat-free yoghurt.
• Lunch: Jacket potato with beans.
• Snack: Grapes and jelly.
• Evening meal: Home-made chicken tikka masala with rice.

You can do it!

• Because I fill up on healthy foods, I can still afford to have a treat such as chocolate and still stay on track.
• If I get hungry, I have sugar-free jelly, low fat yoghurt and frozen fruit - it's delicious!
• I do all sorts of different exercise classes.
• Get the whole family eating what you prepare - it's easier and your family eats more healthily too.
• If you go to a weight-loss class, try not to miss one.

FAT FILE

• Age: 29, Height: 5ft 10in
• Top Weight: 18st 4lb, Weight now: 11st 3lb
• Top size: 22, Size now: 12
• Sue before size - 22
• Sue after size - 12

Source: Daily Mirror

Pic: Marketa Skornickova