Diet and Zumba help Rachael shed 10 stones

Most women dream about the moment they walk down the aisle.

But, despite being in a loving relationship, the idea filled Rachael Doyle with dread – all because of her weight.

At her heaviest two years ago, the mother-of-three from Walsall tipped the scales at 22st 5lbs and was wearing a size 24 or 26.

But, with help from Weight Watchers classes and fast-paced Zumba sessions, she has now shed more than 10 stones, dropped down to just over 12st and fits into size 12 or 14 clothes.

The 30-year-old will also be getting married next year.

Miss Doyle, of Wye Road, Bloxwich, said: "The weight started to pile on when I was a teenager. I tried all sorts of diets but none worked.

"I went to my doctor a number of times but he just sent me to the nurse.

"She gave me some tablets that stop you from digesting fat from your food.

"They helped me lose about a stone but then again I gave up.

"Then each time I got pregnant, more and more weight crept on.

"Eventually, I was wearing the biggest-sized clothes I could get my hands on and knew I had to do something.

"I started going to weekly Weight Watchers meetings and I've been doing Zumba over the last year once or twice a week. Since then, I've seen the inches drop off my arms and everywhere else.

"As I was losing weight and found out I was still a long way from my goal weight, at one point it was like someone had stuck a knife in me. I went home and cried and said to myself and friends I can't do this anymore and was going to give up.Then something clicked because I knew I would end up back where I started because of my love for food."

She said her confidence had grown and she was now planning a wedding to her fiance Andrew Stokes after a six-year engagement. "I used to worry about people looking at me but now I can walk down the street with my head held high," she added.

"I can play with my children, wear the clothes I want to wear and my partner can put his arms around me. We've been engaged for years but I've never had the confidence to set a date.

"We have now and we're getting married next July at St James The Great church in Norton Canes. I've already got my wedding dress. I couldn't have done it without the support of my Weight Watcher leader, my partner, children and family."

Beverley Longsden, 42, who runs Weight Watchers sessions at St Johns Methodist Church in Bloxwich, has supported Miss Doyle during her weight-loss journey.

She said: "What she's done is tremendous. I've watched her go from a girl that was so self-conscious to her coming in one week wearing a maxi dress. She is so much happier."