SUPER-SLIMMER Louise Carter has revealed how a health scare sparked a lifestyle change that saw her shift nearly a third of her body weight in little more than a year. The 48-year-old, who tipped the scales at 19 stone at her heaviest, was hooked on man-size portions, fast food and takeaways.

Her size meant 5ft 7ins Louise, of Harcombe Lane East, Sidford, could only buy clothes from ‘plus size’ internet websites as no garments from high street stores would fit her.

She decided to join weekly Sidmouth Weight Watchers classes in late 2010 when her GP issued a shocking warning – and has lost more than five stone since.

“It’s made a massive difference to my life- but has cost me a fortune in clothes!” Louise told the Herald.

“I was making poor choices and doing all the wrong things. I was inactive and eating the same amount as my husband.

“I went to the doctors for something completely unrelated, but was told I was heading towards being a pre-diabetic. That was one of my biggest motivators for deciding to lose weight.”

Louise said she felt like a “sack of potatoes tied in the middle” when she tried on clothes – and eventually didn’t bother visiting stores.

“Shopping on the internet on ‘plus sizes’ sites was the only thing I could do,” she said

“Being able to buy clothes in normal high street shops is lovely – it makes such a difference.”

Louise now weighs just over 12 stone and is still slimming as she nears her overall target. She said healthier choices, smaller portions and regular exercise have been the secret to her success. She said she’d never miss a Weight Watchers session.

“When I first went along, I wanted the ground to swallow me up. How I feel now is entirely different,” said Louise, who works at The Donkey Sanctuary.

“It’s sad to say, but I feel like I fit in more, and am more confident, because I don’t stand out for being hugely overweight - though nobody has ever been unkind to me.

“I feel a lot lighter physically - five stone is a lot of weight!”

Sidmouth Weight Watchers leader, Amanda Bennett, said Louise had been “absolutely brilliant”.

The free-to-join group meets every Wednesday from 6pm at St Francis Hall in Woolbrook Road.