A MUM-of-two who described herself as a 'heart attack waiting to happen' has transformed her life by losing six-and-a-half stone.

Rachel Henderson from Lymm, once weighed more than 17 stone and was embarrassed to be seen with her active children and husband.

She said: "I was a 45-year-old mum of two children at Cherry Tree Primary School with a hectic full time job, but I was also a heart attack waiting to happen.

"I was so unhappy, not only about how I looked and what I wore, but I felt so out of shape and worried about my long term health.

"The really tough part emotionally was watching my children play hockey and rugby and my husband was also a Lymm rugby player and I was embarrassed for them having such an unhealthy mum watching from the sidelines."

Rachel now weighs 11 stone after joining Slimming World and is no longer worried about health problems because of her weight.

She explained: "I was encouraged to eat lots of tasty, filling foods like pasta, rice, potatoes, lean meat and fish with lots of the vegetables and fruits that I liked.

"I've found that I was never hungry and no foods are banned so there’s no deprivation.

"I couldn’t believe I’d found a way to lose weight without starving myself.

"I joined at 17 stone, eight pounds and reached my target of 11 stone within about 18 months.

"But Slimming World isn’t just about changing what you eat- becoming more active is important too, so it was really time to get off the sidelines now!"

Rachel is now a proud member of Lymm Runners and enjoys walking her two dogs in her new, healthy lifestyle.

After her journey, the mum is now determined to help others change their lives by becoming a Slimming World consultant herself.

She said: "It all starts with feeling that you’re not alone.

"I couldn’t have lost six-and-a-half stone without the weekly help, encouragement and understanding of my own consultant and group.

"I know the challenges we face, which is why, along with the group, I will be there to support every one of my members all the way to their chosen target weight."

Rachel will be taking over the Slimming World group at Lymm Scout and Guide Centre starting on Tuesday, October, 1 at 5pm and 7pm.

For more information call 07711214824.