A WOMAN left mortified when she was ‘too fat’ for the blood pressure cuff at the doctors has lost nearly five stone and turned her life around.

Andrea Korn took action when her GP had to get a bigger cuff at a routine appointment and warned her she was putting her health at risk.

Tipping the scales at 14 stone for her 5ft 3in frame she said she had no confidence and with her 40th birthday approaching she was determined to change her lifestyle.

Andrea signed up to Weight Watchers and swapped junk food for healthy home-cooked meals, losing 4st 8.5lb in 18 months.

Now the 41-year-old, who is a dental practice manager, said she has never been happier and dreams of becoming a diet coach to help others live healthier lives.

“For me it’s not just appearance but it’s about my happiness – and I’m so much happier inside as well as outside as I hated how I looked and it really affected my confidence and general mood.

“Now I can look at myself and feel proud and I’m genuinely a happier person. I really hope more people can achieve what I have and have a healthier, happier life.”

Andrea said the weight crept on as she comfort ate and drank to reward herself after stressful days in her previous job.

It wasn’t until a routine visit to the doctor, she realised she had to take drastic action.

“The doctor had to go off and get a bigger cuff. I was too fat for the normal one. It was horrific then being told I had high blood pressure and I had a weight problem, it was the icing on the cake.”

She ditched her diet of drinking a bottle of wine and eating large portions of bad foods for healthy food and regular exercise.

Andrea, from Wallisdown, who attends a local Weight Watchers group and swims four to five mornings a week before work, now weighs 9st 5lbs.

She is celebrating after wearing a bikini on holiday with her partner Neil and buying a wardrobe of size 10 clothes rather than size 16.

Andrea, whose typical day includes eating Ryvita with cream cheese and tomatoes and fruit for breakfast, chicken salad for dinner and a sweet potato with chilli for dinner, said she has been spurred on by posting pictures of her meals and sharing tips on Instagram with an online community.

Andrea, who is a manager at 740 Dental in Boscombe, said: “I feel like a totally different person, so much happier and I’d love to be able to give advice to anyone who wants to make positive changes.”