A RENFREW slimmer is aiming to help others after shedding four-and-a-half stone and being told she no longer needs her diabetes medication.

Being overweight brought Joyce Patrick health worries, made it hard to find clothes that fit and sapped her confidence and energy.

However, by ditching creamy pasta dishes and takeaways and adopting a more active lifestyle, including regular swims and walks, she has dropped from a size 22 to a size 12.

“I had previously been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and the doctor told me I would need to take medication to manage that and also for high blood pressure,” Joyce told The Gazette.

“She also told me that losing weight would help me to manage both conditions.

“Thanks to the changes I’ve made, my health has improved dramatically. The doctor says I show no symptoms of type 2 diabetes.

“I’ve got my life back and I couldn’t be happier.”

Joyce, who has been attending the Renfrew Tuesday Slimming World (SW) group since March 2018, credits her slimming consultant Lorraine with helping her stay on track by sharing recipes and tips.

With support from her diabetes healthcare team, she followed SW’s food optimising plan and began rustling up more nutritional dishes such as homemade chilli and rice, stir fries and alternative pasta dishes.

Joyce has decided to become a consultant herself and, after returning from training in Derby, is relaunching the Paisley Wallneuk North Church group on Wednesday, November 17 at 7pm.

“Given that being overweight brings a higher risk of severe illness from Covid-19, I’m determined to help my members and to ensure they don’t put their weight loss on hold,” she added.

For more information about joining Joyce’s group, call 0772 963 5664 or pop along on November 17.