A NEWPORT woman is over the moon after being voted ‘slimmer of the year’.

Carrie Newstead, 28, is celebrating after dropping four dress sizes, since joining the Ringland Slimming World group last January.

The nursery nurse at Appletree day nursery, Newport, slimmed down from 12st 8.5lb to 9st 7.5lb and was voted her group’s ‘Miss Slinky 2013’ by her fellow members who were impressed by the change in her.

The Slimming World’s annual ‘Miss Slinky’ competition recognises members who have undergone a huge transformation by becoming slimmer and more confident.

Now she’s looking forward to seeing the transformation continue into the new year and is waiting to hear if she’s scooped the ‘Miss Slinky’ national title and the £2,000 shopping spree prize.

Ms Newstead was inspired to join Slimming World after lacking confidence in the way she looked and wanted to pull out all the stops to feel good in clothes again.

She said: “I couldn’t believe it when everyone voted me as ‘Miss Slinky’.

“I haven’t felt ‘slinky’ since having my son, but – thanks to Slimming World – I am again, and it feels great.

She added: “With Slimming World you don’t follow a diet temporarily and then go back to your old habits when you get to the weight you want to be. I’ve got a completely new lifestyle now, I’ve learned how to make delicious and filling healthy meals and I never feel deprived because I can still have a glass of wine or a bar of chocolate if I fancy it. I’m much more active too – I love going to the gym now.”

Katie Thomas, who runs the Ringland Slimming World group which Carrie attends, said she hopes her achievements will inspire lots of other people in Newport: “I hope Carrie shows people that whether you’ve got a little or a lot to lose, slimming down can make a huge difference to your confidence and self-esteem.”

Ringland Slimming World group runs every Monday at 5pm or 7pm at Ringland Labour Club. For more information call Ms Thomas on 07511 948096 or visit slimmingworld.com