A WITHAM slimmer who successfully shed an impressive eight stone in two years, was driven to reach the milestone after being rejected from a ride at Alton Towers.
Louise Weller, 24, went from tipping the scales at 19 stone, to weighing a svelte 11 stone.
"I feel amazing, and a lot better for shifting the weight," said Louise.
The Alton Towers ride rejection, coupled with her not being able to get a dress off the rail for her sister's wedding, sparked her into doing something about her weight.
"I was holding myself back, and it was time to get my life back on track," Louise admitted.
She took her first steps towards reaching her 11 stone target by signing up to her local Slimming World group, and religiously attended the weekly meetings with Julie Ambrose and the rest of the group every Tuesday.
Julie, her Slimming World consultant, recalled the day Louise walked into her first meeting at Spring Lodge, Witham.
"She arrived and wouldn't say boo to a goose. She was very shy."
"When she revealed she joined because she had trouble with one of the ride's barriers at Alton Towers, and the fact she had to complete a "walk of a shame" past all the others, I started to cry.
"She made a very steady start, and as time progressed the weight just kept tumbling.
"Of course, as with anybody attempting to lose weight, there were tough and testing times.
"Yet she got through them and has consistently lost weight and remained determined that she would do it. There was no negative mind-set at all."
Louise continues to be a source of inspiration for others in their weight loss quests, according to Julie.
"What is lovely for me is having her around, as our members are motivated and inspired by her," she said.
Julie said Louise's personality blossomed as radically as her weight loss.
"She has emerged into such a confident and happy girl, and wants to stay slim and healthy for the rest of her life."
"I love going there and want to continue doing so, and to help Julie and the other girls," added Louise.
