'Getting divorced as a wake-up call - now I feel amazing'

A woman lost eight stone after her divorce - by walking three miles a day. Vanessa Booth, 33, found herself comfort eating after getting married, and at her heaviest weighed 16st 1lbs and wore a size 18.

When her relationship ended, Vanessa, from Nottingham, decided to focus on losing weight. She swapped takeaways for home-cooked meals and followed a Slimming World plan.

She started walking three to four a every day. In just over a year, she lost nearly 8st and dropped to a size six. Feeling more confident, Vanessa returned to dating and met her current partner, Gary, 35. They recently welcomed a baby boy.

READ MORE: 'The people of Stockport are big enough to laugh off this nonsense'

Vanessa plans to return to Slimming World to lose the 'baby weight' when she feels ready, reports Wales Online. Reflecting on her journey, Vanessa said: "I had put on weight because I was comfortable. I thought I was happy. I just needed that wake up call. It feels amazing. I have got more confidence and I am becoming more myself than I was before.

"I was very unhealthy. I wasn't happy. I'd look in the mirror and I wouldn't feel right. I always covered up. I never wore anything bright. I'd just hide myself."

After her marriage ended in August 2020, Vanessa got a 'wake up call' to change her life. She joined Slimming World that same month and started eating better.

She began eating less carbs and cooking her own food, such as stews and spaghetti sauce. Vanessa added : "I couldn't believe I looked like that. I'm very happy with myself. I'm getting more confident."

On her new-found love of walking, she said: "It clears your mind. I could put my headphones in and powerwalk."

She met her new partner Gary through a friend. They got together in