LOSING weight is an ongoing battle for many of us.

But losing more than half of her body weight has transformed the life of a 36-year-old nurse from Appleton and she is now happier, healthier - and planning a wedding for 2015.

Lynn Parrington lost an incredible 13 stone in just ONE year, going from 24 stone to just under 11 stone. Her achievement saw her reach the national finals of Slimming World’s prestigious ‘Woman of the Year’ competition, where she met and chatted with popstar Peter Andre, who was hosting the event.

But as well as a dramatic improvement in her health since losing so much weight, Lynn has also met the man she is going to marry – an old school friend who she reconnected with on Facebook.

“Before I lost weight, I didn’t have the confidence to even join Facebook,” said Lynn. “When I did join, I found Adrian on there and we started chatting every day.

"We met up and have been inseparable ever since!”

Warrington Guardian:

Lynn made the dramatic change to help with her arthritis as well a determination to get back to a slim size 10 she had been years ago.

“I started to put weight on after having my daughter 15 years ago,” said Lynn. “And, after splitting up with her dad, I gradually put more weight on.

“At my biggest, I felt like I was trapped in my own body. I was in terrible pain due to arthritis and fibromyalgia, alongside other health problems.

“By the time I’d finished my shift at work, I couldn’t even stand up to cook a meal and I became a recluse.”

After receiving treatment for a Vitamin D deficiency, Lynn began to feel better and decided to join Slimming World at Bridgewater High School after a leaflet came through the door.

She lost weight consistently week after week, even sticking to the diet on Christmas Day.

“I didn’t find it as hard as I thought I would and all the nice comments from people kept me going,” said Lynn. “Losing weight has improved my health significantly. I’ll never be pain-free but its taken so much pressure off my joints. Going to work now is so much more enjoyable and I literally bounce down the corridors!

“I’ll never get back those ‘lost’ years, but thanks to Slimming World, I can look forward to a brighter future.”

For more details on Lynn’s Slimming World group, call Sara on 07948 375250 or visit www.slimmingworld.com