A CHANGING rooms nightmare prompted a change of life for Helen Abel.

On Boxing Day 2000 while trying on a jacket in the sales she discovered to her horror she needed a size 24.

Sick to her stomach, she decided that rather than go up another size she had to take action.

But it took five months before Helen, of Croft Avenue, Golborne, plucked up enough courage to join a slimming club.

But the move paid-off and last Christmas she slipped into a sexy size 14 dress for her works Christmas party.

Helen turned-up at the Slimming World class at Heath Street Methodist Church every week for months, but never got out of the car fearing she would be the biggest in class.

One day as she walked up the path she was again going to turn round and go home when she was spotted by consultant, Vicki McCarthy, a successful eight-and-a-half-stone loss slimmer herself, and taken in.

Helen said: "I immediately felt at ease and never looked back."

She puts her 4 stone 3lbs weight loss down to support and encouragement at the class.

Even though Helen feels she still has a bit to go before she reaches her target weight, her five sizes reduction has made her more confident, happier and determined to succeed.

She said: "Slimming World's system fits in with my busy lifestyle and I love being able to eat what I want when I want. I can still have my vodka and chips!"

Summer

Now she is looking forward to this summer - and wearing the bikinis she has ordered for her summer holidays.

She added: "The only nightmare I have in clothes shops now is paying for a whole new wardbrobe."

Helen has been so successful she has been joined at the club by her young son who has lost 10lbs.

Anyone interested in joining Helen's class should contact Vicki on 01942 259261.