When Emma Mullins joined a slimming class her aim to lose a few stone, little did she know it would lead to her landing the love of her life.In just 18 months, a dramatic change in lifestyle meant Emma Mullins, 26, watched her weight plummet from 14 stone 3lbs to 10 stone 1lb.

Peter Walsh and Sam Emanuel

When Emma Mullins joined a slimming class her aim to lose a few stone, little did she know it would lead to her landing the love of her life.

In just 18 months, a dramatic change in lifestyle meant Emma Mullins, 26, watched her weight plummet from 14 stone 3lbs to 10 stone 1lb.

But while she shed the pounds she gained a boyfriend - after she fell for Kevin Keil, 21, the brother-in-law of her Weight Watchers leader Jane Keil.

Miss Mullins, of City Road in Lakenham, said: “Jane set me up on a blind date with Kevin in November. At first I wasn't sure about going in case it affected the friendship I'd formed with Jane, but then I thought I should just go, and Kevin and I really clicked. We have only spent a couple of nights apart since.

“Losing weight has really helped my confidence. I probably wouldn't have gone on the date before - I would have thought Kevin would walk in, see me, and walk out again.

“I do think he's with me because I'm me, so even if I put weight on he would stay with me, but he probably wouldn't have given me a chance in the first place if he had first seen me a couple of years ago before I lost weight.”

Miss Mullins was inspired to change her lifestyle after putting on weight at college, and at her job as a child health administrator.

“I would snack at work and buy pasties and sausages for lunch,” she said. “It was horrible being that big. It wasn't like I was constantly depressed but I felt a bit isolated from my friends.

“I definitely didn't realise how big I was as putting on weight was a gradual process, but looking back at pictures I can see.

“But Jane bothered to take the time to listen to me, and I knew she had been through the same thing before, as she had lost weight herself, so it really helped me.”

Miss Mullins, who is 5ft 7ins, has now gone from being a size 20 to size 10.

She suffers from epilepsy, and is no longer able to drive, so she said having to walk places more often had helped her keep the pounds off.

She said: “It was difficult to start with because I was not dedicated to it 100pc, some days I struggled, like on pre-menstrual days you want chocolate, but once I got my mind set into it I was okay. Now everyone tells me how much better I look.”

Weight Watchers group leader, Jane, said: “Emma's a lot more confident in herself and a lot happier now. She's done fantastically.”

Have you made a decision that has changed your life for the better? Contact Evening News reporter Sam Emanuel on 01603 772443, or email sam.emanuel@archant.co.uk