Lynzi Carroll has slimmed down from a size 20 to an 8/10 to get healthy, to be a positive role model mum to her son, Ollie… and to look stunning at her wedding in July.

Our Appointments Centre Supervisor has transformed the way she eats, how she regards food and now loves packing out her meals with vegetables – something she once turned her nose up at.

And her efforts – shedding more than six stones – has resulted in her being chosen as one of the faces of the current Weight Watchers national Spring campaign. This includes taking part in a photoshoot, promotional material, social media advertising and even a starring in the current Weight Watchers TV advert. (see the ad on Facebook here).

Lynzi, has worked in our appointments centre for 10 years this September.  She was diagnosed with breast cancer when she was just 26 and was cared for by colleagues here including specialist nurse Joyce Graham, Oncologist Jo Dent and Breast Surgeon, Miss Iqbal. Treatment caused her to gain weight and she feared she might not be able to have children.

Throughout the slimming campaign her colleagues in HRI Appointments Centre have been so supportive. Lynzi would like to thank everyone for their continuing support. She added: “ My bosses, Carolyn and Emily encouraged me to go for it when I told them Weight Watchers wanted me for their next campaign. They absolutely love seeing me going through it all – especially in when I had my baby boy.”

Lynzi, who once starred on the catwalk in our patients’ Fashion Show - see photo - reckons she’s a new woman – something her fiancé Mark also says.

“ I am a different person, my whole outlook on food and lifestyle has changed. I love things such as chick peas, oats, beans and sweetcorn. Foods I never once would have touched because I was stubborn and didn’t think I liked them and didn’t have much food education really. But I would encourage anyone to read up and educate yourself on a healthier approach to eating. If I can change then so can you. Committing is always the hardest part”

She’s now much fitter and always takes any stairs while her pals use escalators and always takes the long way round. Lynzi doesn’t recognise the woman in her “before” photo any more when she topped the scales at nearly 16 stones.

“ I had no idea I was so big. I used to eat what I wanted when I wanted without realising you can’t actually do that forever. I never thought about what I was putting in my mouth. I had to make a change. Your priorities change when you become a mother. You’re no longer number 1.”

A takeaway is still possible in their house but not the regular event it once was as Lynzi likes to make homemade meals which are just as good. She’s been inspired through her weekly weigh-ins at the Weight Watchers meeting in Meltham run by coach Suzi Jones and believes attending group is the key to her success in maintaining her goal weight.

She adds: “ I had already started to lose weight once I had my little boy, but came to a standstill after a while which then gave me to push to join Weight Watchers. I felt I would benefit from the group environment and needed that extra support ahead of my wedding. I feel so excited about it and so grateful for all the support from everyone especially at CHFT and would encourage anyone to give it a go – even if you think you can’t. I am the proof you can!”