A MOTHER has shared her story of overcoming a potentially deadly diagnosis before losing six stone and dropping five dress sizes.

Natalie Dent, who lives in Fordingbridge, has gone through a life changing experience over the past two years following a sepsis scare.

The 39-year-old first joined the Slimming World group at Fordingbridge Town Hall in January 2018. Before having children she had been slim but eating for two caused the weight to pile on.

Along with added sinus and other heath problems, food became her comfort.

“I used to be in so much pain and the doctors weren’t really sure what was wrong,” said Ms Dent. “I felt quite depressed and food gave me comfort. Before I knew it I was a size 18 and unhappy."

Then out of the blue she was rushed into hospital with sepsis.

The mother-of-two added: “Luckily they caught it early enough but it was a very scary time. Recovery was long and food was my friend to make me feel better.”

Hearing that a friend of hers had lost weight with Slimming World, she decided to walk through the door.

“I was very nervous to join but everyone made me feel very welcome,” said Ms Dent. “I even considered briefly not going back the first week but everyone else was so friendly and were all in the same boat. I found by staying to group it really helped.”

She has now dropped from a size 18 to a size eight and lots of the pain that she was in has also gone.

Slimming World consultant Clare Cox said: “I admire Natalie as I remember that she found it tough at the beginning.

“She could have given up but due to her continued commitment and determination the weight came off steadily and now she’s a target member.

“Weight loss isn’t always easy, but with small simple changes and the support of myself and the group it can become a reality for us all.”

Ms Dent can now keep up with her children as she is more active and her kids are really proud of her.

“I love the fact that we can still eat what we want and there’s loads of free foods that you can enjoy making it really easy,” she said “I’ve tried things I wouldn’t have eaten before. Chicken korma is our new family favourite, before slimming world my kids wouldn’t have touched curry.

“We used to have takeaways but now we tend to make the healthier version which helps us all. Slimming World has made me love myself again.”