A STOURBRIDGE woman who used her own weight loss to help others shed the pounds has made the finals of a national slimming award.

Cheryl Roberts, who runs the Norton Gig Mill Slimming World group, was one of just 30 from across the UK and Ireland to make the shortlist for the Consultant Slimmer of the Year competition.

And while she did not win the main prize, the 36-year-old, who has lost 10 stone with Slimming World, was delighted to just have been in the running.

At her heaviest, Cheryl weighed just shy of 25 stone and found both her health and confidence were beginning to suffer.

She lost five stone through exercise and then a further 10 stone after joining Swimming World back in 2014.

After reaching her final target weight of 9st 11lb in August 2017, Cheryl decided to train to become a Slimming World Consultant herself.

Now she supports 45 slimmers at her group in Norton every Monday evening, 7.30pm, at the Alderman Tye District Scout Headquarters, South Road, opposite the Gig Mill pub.

She says: “Before I lost the weight I could never have imagined having the confidence to try new things.

“My worries about my weight almost consumed me and I found it very difficult to do many of the things I used to enjoy, like wearing fashionable clothes/dressing up for nights out.

“I often worried about what people thought about me due to my size. Panicked over whether car seat belts would fit or if I could squeeze into the seats at theme parks.

“I was nervous when I first walked through the door of my Slimming World group, but it was without doubt one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.

“My whole life is completely different. Just being brave enough to admit I needed help and guidance was the catalyst to a whole new me.

“Bags of confidence, a new zest for life and, of course, my own business! My consultant was such a key part of my journey that the opportunity to do something for people in a similar situation just seemed perfect.

“I used to think that losing weight was one of the best feelings ever – yet helping others to turn their lives around and lose the weight that has held them back for so long is even better!

“I honestly feel as though I have the best job in the world, and to have reached the semi-finals of the competition as well is just a dream come true.”

For more details on Cheryl’s group, visit www.slimmingworld.co.uk or call her on 07706 633609.