SHEDDING those unwanted pounds can be daunting to most.

But imagine the prospect of losing 12 stone in a year when you found yourself hitting the scales at 24 stone.

One year on from making that promise to herself Lynn Parrington is now actually 13 stone lighter.

The 36-year-old from Appleton made the change to help with her arthritis as well as aiming to get back to a slim size 10 she had been 15 years ago.

Lynn said: “I have arthritis and the more weight you have the more pain you will be in.

“I was in a lot of pain and was sick of it so I wanted to do what I could to get the pressure off my joints.

“It was determination which helped me lose the weight and I was determined to do it in the year.”

So she signed up to Slimming World classes at Bridgewater High School and the rest as they say was history.

“I didn’t find it as hard as I thought I would and all the comments from people kept me going,” Lynn, who is a nurse added. “The numbers of the scales dropped down each week.”

Threw was no messing about for Lynn who immediately set herself the challenge of losing 12 stone last May.

She said: “You think it’s completely impossible because you have such a massive weight loss ahead of you but it’s so achievable.”

Now Lynn is looking forward to adventures she thought were beyond her including trying out Go Ape.

“Last month I went to work with one of the consultants who I hadn’t worked with for eight months and he did a double take when he saw me,” added Lynn. “He actually asked me if I was new there. When I said it’s me Lynn he couldn’t believe it and his jaw was on the floor.

And since joining the group Lynn’s story has helped spur on other members such as Angela Mountford who herself lost four stone.

If you want to make a difference like Lynn you can join her Slimming World group at Bridgewater High School Upper Site on Wednesdays at 5.30pm or 7.30pm, or call Sara on 07948 375250.