INSPIRATIONAL Gill Hindmarsh has every reason to feel on top of the world after shedding nearly a third of her body weight.

The 53-year-old super slimmer has shed an impressive seven stone 10lb in the past year and a half. She tipped the scales at 20st 7lb 18 months ago but has since undergone a life-changing transformation.

She has now slimmed down from a size 28-30 to a much healthier size 16 and the weight is continuing to fall off.

Mrs Hindmarsh, who lives with husband John in Carol Avenue, Martlesham, decided to take drastic action after overhearing her son, who was studying medicine at the time, talking about the health implications of being overweight.

She said: “I overheard a conversation between my son and daughter-in-law, which wasn’t about me, and I didn’t like what I heard.

“I’d given up smoking three months prior and was missing my mum who had recently passed away, but that was no excuse – so I signed up to Slimming World.”

She joined the group at Kesgrave Community Centre and has not looked back.

“The support at the group is just amazing and it’s so much easier with the support network and encouragement from meetings,” Mrs Hindmarsh said.

“I feel losing weight has halved my age. I’m back swimming and walking and I have so much energy.

“I’m just so, so happy and my husband loves the new me. He’s even lost weight by proxy because he’ll eat anything I cook for myself.”

Mrs Hindmarsh said her sons, Simon, who is currently on a tour of duty in Afghanistan with the Royal Logistics Corps, and David, who is a doctor in the Royal Army Medical Corps, are both proud of her achievements.

Kesgrave Slimming World group consultant Gail Murton said: “I am incredibly proud of what Gill has achieved.

“She is a total inspiration to the rest of my members to lose weight.”

Slimming World classes are held at Kesgrave Community Centre on Wednesdays.

n Have you shed the pounds? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk