ABERGAVENNY woman Natalie Silcox used to live on a diet of fast food and enjoyed a drink – but now she’s binned the takeaways and lost five stone in 16 months.

The 23-year-old weighed in at 16st 9lb and found everyday activities such as walking up stairs a struggle.

Miss Silcox, of Samuel Salter Street, found the idea of getting hot and bothered in a traditional exercise class an unattractive prospect, but with her health in mind she signed up to Slimming World classes and latin dance-inspired zumba sessions.

She said the Healthy Extras scheme helped encourage her weight loss, guiding her in measuring portions of food for a balanced healthy diet.

She swapped takeaways and ready meals for healthy options including wholemeal bread, cereals and milk increasing her intake of calcium and essential nutrients.

Miss Silcox, a shop assistant, now attends weekly zumba classes which she said have “totally changed her life” and led to her weight dropping to 11st 9lb.

In the past 16 months, not only has Miss Silcox become a new person on the outside, but she now feels much better on the inside.

She now plans to become a consultant for Slimming World in Newport and thanked her Slimming World consultant, Sarah Young, for her help.

She said: “My close friends and family have noticed the huge difference in my mood and personality and are extremely happy for me.”

Diet changes

Before
Breakfast: Roll or pastry
from the bakery
Lunch: Various fast foods
Dinner: Chinese/various
takeaway
Exercise: None

Now
Breakfast: Weetabix
Lunch: Jacket potato with tuna or salad
Dinner: Lasagne
Exercise: Weekly slimming
and Zumba classes