A WIDNES mum dreaded going out because of her size.

Mum-of-two Susan Stokes, aged 43, said she regularly experienced verbal abuse.

When her weight soared to 17 stone 9 pounds, she felt ashamed of her body.

Susan, of Halton View, Widnes, said: “I was the heaviest I ever was. I’ve always struggled with my weight.

“I’ve tried every diet going.”

She used to snack all day and often gorge on a kebab or pizza after a chippy tea.

After spotting a TV advert for Diet Chef, she asked her husband, Neil, aged 38, to buy her a hamper of the portion controlled meals as a Christmas present.

Now, 15 months later, she has lost five stone and slimmed from a size 22 to 14.

Her trim figure has given her a new lease of life.

Susan, a trainee assistant manager at Wilkinsons in Widnes, said: “I feel fantastic.

“I’m starting training for my job. It’s been a pleasure to be able to buy new suits from a normal shop.”

She stayed on the calorie counted home delivered meals for five months, costing around £50 a week.

She now prepares her own food but still counts and weighs everything.

She enjoys cycling and walking with her husband and playing with her grandsons, Joshua, aged two, and one-year-old Lewis.

Susan, who has a daughter, Louise, aged 21, and son, Tom, aged 14, added: “It’s taught me about portion control and healthy eating.

“My daughter is getting married in October. So my goal now is to lose another seven pounds and reach my target of 12 stone.”

Susan Stokes