A grandmother who tipped the scales at nearly 21st but managed to lose nearly a third of her body weight said her transformation was so extraordinary even her own sister did not recognise her.

A grandmother who tipped the scales at nearly 21st but managed to lose nearly a third of her body weight said her transformation was so extraordinary even her own sister did not recognise her.

In the space of a year, Christine Whiting, from North Walsham, has dropped 10 dress sizes from a size 24 to 14.

The 54-year-old, who has two children and a two-year-old grandchild, first joined her local WeightWatchers Slimming Group in March 2007 weighing more than 21st, and since then has lost more than 100lb - seven stone.

Now she says after years of snacking on fatty foods, she has finally learnt how to eat healthy and keep the weight off, with the support of friends and family.

Christine decided to join the group after her neighbours signed up to the weekly meetings and because she

had health problems.

She said: “I did not really believe in diets and I had been quite big all my adult life. I did have problems with a leaky heart valve and my cholesterol was quite high but I did not really think about it.

“Now I have lost the weight I can definitely feel the

benefits; my cholesterol is perfect and I have so much more energy. I walk the dog twice a day and can run round after my granddaughter as well.”

“It has given me a whole new lease of life. I just cannot keep still,” she added.

Her weight loss has made such an impact many of her family and friends struggled to recognise her.

She said: “When my sister, who lives in London, first saw me after losing all the weight she did not recognise me; she was just amazed at how different I looked. All my friends and family have said they have noticed the change in me, not just physically but within myself as well.

“I feel a lot more confident and it is nice to be able to fit into a pair of jeans now.”

Lucy Conroy, who is the

leader of the WeightWatchers group and has herself shed 10st, said: “Since joining, Christine has had an amazing journey of weight loss, losing weight every week.

“She is one of those ladies who has really come out of her self, she is so confident and bubbly now, she is an inspiration to everyone.”

The group Christine attends meets every Thursday morning at North Walsham Methodist Church Hall in Grammar

School Road from 9.30am onwards.

To find out more about the group contact Ms Conroy on 01692 536478.