A Belfast woman has managed to turn her life around by shedding an amazing 11 stone in just 18 months.

Before making the life-changing decision to lose weight, Margaret McAnoy existed on a daily diet of microwave meals, crisps, chocolate bars, cheese, full-fat milk and ice-cream — prompting health experts to warn her that she was risking her life.

However, topping the scales at 22-stone, it was not the grim comments made by doctors which gave Margaret the determination to succeed in her weight loss battle — but rather it was a desire to give her children a sense of pride in their mum.

Since then she has shed 11 stone — half her previous body weight — and Margaret now boasts a slimline figure to go with a new-found sense of self confidence.

And now with her new lightweight figure, Margaret — who can fit both her legs into just one leg of the trousers she wore when she was 22 stone — has told her story to encourage others who want to lose weight to give it a go.

Speaking to the Andersonstown News, the west Belfast woman explained: “The kids didn’t want me to come up to the school because I was so fat. I thought they were messing at first, but when I realised they were serious I knew I had to turn my life around.

“I’d gone to Weight Watchers before but I didn’t put the effort in. I was determined this time. I stopped eating rubbish and snacking, started a healthy diet, started exercising and gradually the weight started to come off. It’s all about will power and determination. If you want to do it you can.

“I combined eating properly with regular exercise. I walk everywhere now and hardly sit still for a moment.”

Margaret began putting weight on following the birth of her first child. Over the years, her weight crept slowly up. But now, with a healthy attitude to food and exercise, she wants others to follow her lead.

“When you are sitting about all day you get bored, and when you are bored you start to eat — it is a vicious circle. If I feel like a snack now I eat fruit. The chocolate and crisps are a thing of the past.

“When people ask me how I lost the weight I tell them that there isn’t a food in the world that will taste better than the feeling of being slim. If I can lose 11 stone, anyone can. Join your local Weight Watchers class and stick at it.

Jackie McArdle, who runs the Weight Watchers group Margaret attended on her journey to health and happiness, described her as an “inspiration”.

She explained: “This was her fourth or fifth attempt at Weight Watchers but she showed great determination and she has turned her life around.”

For more information on Weight Watchers classes, visit www.weightwatchers.co.uk