Gateshead grandmother-of-five transforms her life by losing more than five stone in weight

Annmarie Watts, 53, has said that she would “often lied about her weight” when she was at her heaviest of 17st, 11lb.

Following a health check around a year ago, Annmarie decided to turn her life around so she could be in a healthier place with her husband, three children and five grandchildren.

The grandmother, from Gateshead, said she would typically eat takeaways, fried food, chocolate, sweets, cake and more on a daily basis before she decided to lose the weight.

She said: “I have been a yo-yo dieter for 30 years. I lose weight, fall back into old eating habits and put it all back on.

“Twelve months ago, I went for a health check and found that my blood sugar came back as borderline diabetic, plus my mental health was probably at an all time low.

“I knew I had to do something and change my lifestyle or face significant mental and physical health problems.

“When I was overweight I felt insecure, lazy, not good enough, even though I knew that wasn’t the reality.

“I hated clothes shopping, photos would always be selfies or from my shoulders up.

“I often lied about my weight and most certainly lied about how I was really feeling.”

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Annmarie has so far lost 5st, 8lb and now weighs 12st, 3lb after she began eating health and training around six times a week - dropping five dress sizes in the process.

She swapped the unhealthy food for meals that include vegtables, fish, as well as snacks such as fruit and yoghurts.

Annmarie hopes that her story might be able to help inspire others who are feeling unhappy with their own weight.

She added: “I started training in January and now train at least six times a week and cycle weekly.

“I went to a theme park with my Grandchildren and was able to go on every ride. I love full length photos and my smile is real.

“If I can inspire one person to lose weight, that is a huge accomplishment.”