SHE had to crawl upstairs on all fours and could not play with her young grandsons, but now one Kesgrave slimmer is today enjoying a new lease of life after shedding more than seven stone.

SHE had to crawl upstairs on all fours and could not play with her young grandsons, but now one Kesgrave slimmer is today enjoying a new lease of life after shedding more than seven stone.

Marion Mann was referred to a slimming class by her GP after suffering crippling pains in her knees as a result of a fall.

After being offered three months at Slimming World free of charge in February 2008 the 67-year-old said she was determined to take up the challenge to slim down so she could be referred to a specialist.

And as the weight fell off she decided to stick with the plan dropping from 17 stone to her target weight of 10 stone in just over a year.

Now after dropping seven dress sizes from a 26 to a size 12, Mrs Mann, a dresser for the Ipswich Operatic Society, said it has had a huge impact on her health.

She said: “By the time I went to see the specialist I didn't need an operation. My asthma is better and my blood pressure and cholesterol are both down and I feel great.

“I go for five-mile walks and play with my two young grandsons, which I could never do before.

“I now take great pleasure out of buying clothes, whereas I didn't before and I have a pride in myself and self confidence.”

The secret to her success is the healthy eating mantra promoted by Slimming World food optimising plans which encourages people to fill up on healthy, satisfying foods such as lean meat and fish and fruit and vegetables.

Mrs Mann added: “I can still have treats and the same foods, they are just cooked differently now.

“I used to eat puddings, like apple pie, sponge pudding, trifle, whereas now I love fresh fruit salad and I eat lots of vegetables.

“I have cut down on red meat and love eating lots of fish and chicken.

“I don't feel like I am depriving myself, I have adjusted my diet, and am more aware of how to eat healthily.

“It is just a way of life. There are now aisles in the supermarket I just do not visit. And if I buy treats for my grandsons at the weekend they take them home with them.”

She added that with 15 sins a day allowed she can have a two-finger Kit Kat as well as a glass of wine without exceeding her treat limit.

Gail Murton who runs the group, which meets at Kesgrave Community Centre, said: “I am so proud of what Marion has achieved.

“She's a real inspiration to the rest of the group and I hope she inspires other women in the area who want to lose weight too.”

As a result of her success Mrs Mann has been nominated Woman of the Year by her group and represented them at the District Finals in Bury St Edmunds recently, coming in the top six finalists.

Before

No exercise

Cereal and bacon for breakfast.

Puddings

Sweets, cakes and biscuits as snacks

Now

Five-mile walks

Trips out running around with her grandsons

Bacon without the fat for breakfast

Lots of fresh fruit and vegetables

Healthier cooking methods

Lots of fish and white meat, cutting down on red meats.

Weekly weigh-ins at her Slimming World class