A CHEF who shed six stone in two years after she nearly died from pneumonia, is now using her experience to help others lose weight.

Carole Carter from Bournemouth said that although her meals were always cooked from scratch, she had fallen into the snack trap.

“I thought I was eating a nutritionally balanced diet, then I would have coffee with a biscuit, but that would soon become three or more. " she explained.

Carole's health started to deteriorate and after surviving a severe bout of pneumonia, the final straw was a throat cancer scare.

Doctors told her that if she did not lose weight, it would put her at serious risk if she were to have general anaesthetic.

“I joined Slimming World in June 2015. I was 20st 13.5lb, and I felt frumpy and old,” she said, “but my consultant, Pet, made me feel relaxed, the other members felt like friends – listening to their inspiring weight loss stories got me hooked straight away.”

Carole was surprised to find that although she was beginning her weight loss journey, her meals weren’t as limited as she thought they would be.

By December she had lost 3st 10.5lbs and felt confident enough to take part in a charity Christmas Day swim.

“Now, I’ve lost over six stone, my blood pressure is normal and I don’t feel embarrassed to try on clothes in the changing rooms anymore,” she added.

“I’ve decided to become a Slimming World Consultant so I can help others to feel how I feel today.”

Carole’s Bourne Valley Slimming World group takes place at the Church of the Good Shepherd in Poole on Monday evenings.

Groups are held Monday evenings at 5.30pm and 7.30pm also Tuesday mornings at 9.30am and 11.30am. To find out more call Carole on 07564 221262.