Midwife Ruth Thompson says she feels like a new woman after losing almost seven stones.

The new, slimline, Ruth Thompson, who has dieted from a size 22 to a size 14 Picture: Steven Bradshaw

The super slimmer is almost half the size she used to be, and now fits snugly into a size 14 dress - four sizes below the 22 she used to be less than 18 months ago.

And to celebrate Ruth's new slimline figure, her co-ordinator at Selby Weightwatchers, Sandra Ramshaw, arranged a surprise make-over.

Ruth, 42, of Mayfield Drive, Brayton, turned up for what she thought was a routine community midwives' meeting to find Sandra waiting with a bouquet of flowers.

She was then whisked off to town centre hairdressers Robert Michael to have her hair restyled and highlighted, followed by a visit to Snaith's Market Court beauty clinic for a full facial.

It was then back to Selby to fashion shop Tivoli, where she tried on several chic evening gowns before being given a new trouser suit by the owner. Says Ruth: "I was in a state of shock, but it was s super day."

She decided to fight the flab after her weight ballooned to 18st 7lb, forcing her to stop for a breather after a couple of lengths of swimming.

The mother-of-two also lost her self-esteem and confidence, wearing baggy clothes to hide her figure and nothing too colourful that would get her noticed.

She said: "I always stood at the back when photographs were being taken so you could only see my face. Now there's no need to hide.

"I can manage up to 30 lengths of swimming without stopping and I no longer feel weary."

Sandra said: "Ruth had been so big for so long, she had lost pride in herself. She has shown remarkable determination and thoroughly deserved her makeover."

A night shift midwife at York District Hospital, Ruth and her salesman husband, David, have two daughters, Laura, 13, and Helen, 11.

She said: "Helen really made my day when she said she could at last put her arms round me and feel her hands meet behind me."

Ruth said the secret was sticking to Weightwatchers' low-fat, healthy eating programme - and willpower.

She added: "When the kids have chips, I have potato wedges with soya sauce. You just have to learn to cook food in a different way.

"Being able to wear fitted jeans, leggings and tops is brilliant. I feel years younger and I'm determined never to put weight on again."

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