A WOMAN with a genetic disorder that makes weight loss extremely difficult has been hailed an inspiration after shedding two stones.

Liz Woods fought against Down's Syn-drome, spending nearly two years learning how to eat healthily and cook nutritious meals on her own, so she could look great on holiday.

When the 43-year-old started her Weight Watchers classes in the summer of 2006 she weighed 11st 13lbs. At her last weigh-in she had reached 10st 1lb.

Karen Shepherd, leader of Liz's Weight Watchers group in Blackburn, said: "Everyone here is so proud of her. She is really excited about how well she's done. She's like a different person.

"She's an absolute inspiration to all the members."

Liz said: "I like eating salad and salmon. If you eat healthy food then you lose weight. You can still eat chocolate - but just not a lot of it."

Liz's achievement has been particularly cele-brated by her Blackburn Weight Watchers group because it is harder for people with Down's Syndrome to slim.

The condition affects the rate at which the body processes food.

Lancashire Telegraph medical adviser Dr Tom Smith said: "The natural metabolism rate of a person with Down's Syndrome is a lot slower than other people's and the condition can make it more difficult to exercise.

"A person with Down's Syndrome has to reduce their food intake by quite a substantial amount in order to lose weigh."

Liz lives in a cottage at Stanley Grange care home, Samlesbury, with seven other residents.

She makes her own breakfast and evening meals and helps her flatmates cook healthier meals for themselves.

She goes to weekly yoga sessions and also plays football to help keep the weight off.

Suzanne Bradbury, a cottage manager at Stanley Grange, said: "Liz is now more aware of what she has to do to lose weight and she puts quite a few of us to shame.

"We provide healthy meals for the residents at lunch time and it is great that Liz is helping those in her cottage to eat healthier at other meal times as well"

The loss of over 26lbs will help Liz fit into new holiday clothes for a trip to Ireland in May with several friends.

She said: "I can do lots of shopping before I go. Losing the weight has made me really happy."