A YOUNG Bournemouth woman who lost more than five-and-a-half stone in a year has decided to use her experience to help others.

Charlotte Bourton, of Winton, weighed 16 stone 4lbs before joining Slimming World last year.

The 23-year-old had battled with obesity since being a teenager but was spurred on to change her lifestyle after a relationship break-up and seeing unflattering pictures of herself from Christmas 2013.

“I didn’t have any confidence in myself,” said Charlotte. “It got to the point where I was afraid to go out because I hated the way I looked so much.

“When I did see people I was always the jolly one. I’d make jokes about my weight first so others couldn’t.

“It was like I was trying to disarm them but then, when I was on my own again, that all went away. On the outside I was always fine but inside I was crying.

“But when I saw the pictures from Christmas I just thought ‘oh my God – this has to change and now.’”

Charlotte said she felt nervous the first time she went to the group and was terrified of being judged.

“However as soon as I made it in the door, the nerves disappeared as I was welcomed by a warm and friendly consultant and the room was buzzing with positive, welcoming, happy people,” she said.

“I couldn’t believe all of the normal food I could enjoy. You can eat unlimited amounts of food and never go hungry.”

It did, however, take a lot of hard work and dedication, something Charlotte says has paid off and changed her life. In total she has lost five stone 9lbs.

“I just have so much more energy now and feel motivated like I never have before,” she added.

This has prompted Charlotte to train as a weight loss consultant for Slimming World.

She said: “I want people to know that there is support out there and it makes it so much easier to achieve your goals when you have the support of others.”

Charlotte will be holding her groups at St Augustin's Church Hall, Cemetery Junction. For more information, email charlottebourton@gmail.com.