A MUM has celebrated her 40th birthday by shedding more than four stone - and is now helping others do the same.

Emma Evans, from Osbaldwick, decided to change her lifestyle as the milestone birthday approached, and joined a slimming organisation to lose four stone 9lbs.

She now weighs 11st 6lbs and has just trained as a consultant for the group and will take up the role in Burnholme on Wednesday.

“Like most people I had tried other diets before, but nothing stuck and I was going to be 40 very soon," she said.

"Although the number itself didn’t bother me too much, I was very aware that my weight could start having a serious effect on my health.

"I also knew that I had spent a lot of time over the past few years obsessing about food, bombarded by the media and their confusing messages of ‘good food’ and ‘bad food’.

York Press:

"I was emotionally drained, I didn’t want food to have to be a part of my life at all any more."

Emma initially joined Slimming World online and within three months had lost two stone, but after struggling to keep motivated on her own she decided to join a group in Osbaldwick.

She added: "The atmosphere was great, the other group members were very welcoming and the enthusiasm of my consultant, Frankie, was contagious.

"The Food Optimising plan is so easy to follow and with small changes you can still enjoy old favourites like curry, burgers and fish and chips; things the whole family really enjoy."

Emma's energy levels have increase as a result of eating healthier and she recently took part in a 5K run and obstacle course with her children.

Her Slimming World group will be held at The Burnholme Community Hub, Bad Bargain Lane, every Wednesday from 7.30pm.