A woman has shared how she lost nearly seven stone after a "frightening" decline in her health.
Tracey Bidwell said weight loss had felt impossible for much of her life.
The only time she experienced a loss was in her early 20s, when a serious illness sparked an unintentional drop.
Ms Bidwell was later diagnosed with Myasthenia Gravis, a rare autoimmune condition.
Treatment involved medications, including steroids, which contributed to further weight gain.
"Being well again mattered far more than my weight ever could," she said.
Ms Bidwell felt her health declining again as she entered her 50s, with the symptoms including worsening joint pain, breathing difficulties and sleep apnoea.
"It was frightening," she confessed. "I knew something had to change."
Her GP referred her to a 12-week Slimming World programme, which she agreed to try, despite having low expectations.
She joined her local group at City Academy in Earlham, led by her colleague Kelly.
"I told her I liked my wine too much and didn’t expect it to work," Ms Bidwell said.
"But Kelly said something that really stuck with me, that nothing would change unless I changed."
Over 17 months, Ms Bidwell lost 6st 10lbs, dropping from 18st 13lb to 12st 3lb.
"The group became part of my life," she said. "It feels like a family get-together every week.
"I actually miss it if I don’t go, which doesn’t happen very often."
She continues to attend her weekly sessions and expects to have maintained her target weight for two years by February 2026.
Ms Bidwell credited her family for their encouragement.
"My husband, my son and my son-in-law have been incredible throughout this journey," she added.
"Their encouragement has meant everything to me."
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