Mother's new lease of life after losing 10 stone

The shame of being unable to squeeze into a theme park ride helped inspire a Staffordshire woman to shed more than 10 stone in just over 15 months.

A family trip to Drayton Manor proved a decisive moment for Becky Edwards who decided drastic action was needed to lose weight.

The mother-of-two who has lost a total of 17 stone in four years with the majority from her hips in the last 12 months says it has transformed her life.

The 30-year-old from Cannock is now able to carry out day-to-day activities that most people take for granted. Mrs Edwards has not given up on her favourite foods but just reduced the size of the portions.

Next week she is going to sit her first driving test as this time last year she could not fit behind the wheel.

But it was during that day out with her family at a theme park that Mrs Edwards realised she needed to take drastic action.

Mrs Edwards, of Bevan Lee Road, said: "I was at Drayton Manor Park and I couldn't fit on to the ride – it was just embarrassing. I still eat chocolate and crisps, I just have less and cook things differently – I also do a lot of walking now.

She added: "I know it sounds silly, but before I struggled to get in to the bath, so it's nice to be able to do that now."

The 30-year-old weighed in at 32 stone in her mid 20s but today is just over 15 stone. In October 2010 she was around 25 stone and joined a local slimming club to help with the final push.

The housewife, who is mother to Lilly-May, aged five, and Harry, aged two, says she is not going to become complacent.

She still wants to shed another two stone and says she will celebrate the achievement by going out to get her belly-button pierced.

Mrs Edwards is also looking forward to spending a holiday in the sun with her family. It would be so nice to walk down the beach not feeling embarrassed", she added.

The weight loss has transformed Mrs Edwards' life and she is pleased to be able to play with her children more.

"I can run around after my son and daughter now," added Mrs Edwards.