A LAUNCESTON darts player, who lost five stone, has been named Woman of the Year in her Slimming World group, following her ‘inspiring’ weight loss.

Around one in four women in the UK and Ireland are severely overweight, at risk of suffering a range of health problems such as diabetes, heart disease and cancer.

Slimming World’s Woman of the Year award recognises the achievements of women making long-term healthy lifestyle changes.

Jennie Baker joined the Slimming World group at Launceston Football Club on December 30, after becoming increasingly unhappy with her size. She said: “I started to put on weight after having my children. I tried lots of different diets, but they usually left me feeling hungry or miserable — or both, in fact.

“With Slimming World, it’s completely different; I never have to miss out and I don’t have to get hung up on weighing and measuring everything I eat. I don’t feel deprived, and after losing five stone, I’m the slimmest — and the happiest — I’ve been in such a long time!”

Jennie, who recently celebrated her 60th birthday, said: “My family and friends are all amazed by how much I can eat and lose weight. I still eat many of the same meals that I did before I started losing weight, like spaghetti bolognese, curries and roast dinners. I’ve picked up lots of new healthy recipes from the other members at my Slimming World group, too.

“When I started out, I never dreamt I’d be able to achieve all that I have. I lost 4.5lbs in my first week, and was blown away that the changes I’d made had such a big impact so quickly. As the weight started to come off and I began moving down dress sizes — I’ve gone from a size 30 to a 22 — I started to believe I could actually lose the weight and keep it off.

“Losing the weight has made such a huge difference; it’s changed my life. I’ve got so much more energy and I can do things now that I couldn’t before. My fitness has improved and I enjoy being active now, rather than thinking of it as a chore — I love playing darts. I’m more confident and I like the slim, happy, positive person I see in the mirror. I feel like a winner already, so being voted the football club group’s Woman of the Year 2016 is just the icing on the cake!”

Jo O’Keefe was announced the 5.30pm winner, having been her target weight for 18 months.