Shopping ordeal made Julie shed four stone

When Julie Butlin was forced to use a mobility scooter on a shopping trip, with her knee struggling under her 14st 1lb weight, she knew it was time to take action.

And now, after swapping her junk food diet for low-fat alternatives, the 42-year-old has seen her weight drop more than four stone to 9st 11lbs, while her dress size has dropped from size 16-18 to a tiny 8-10.

Her battle with weight started in 1995 when she suffered an ectopic pregnancy and turned to food for comfort.

The receptionist from Tipton said: "I looked at food as a comfort and the weight kept on creeping up. I was a working mum and just I kept it to myself how depressed I had become with my now escalating weight."

Over the next few years Julie, who lives in Bagnall Lane with her husband Mark and two daughters, tried various kinds of diets, but found that she could not stick to them.

She developed severe problems with her left knee. Doctors told her to lose weight to alleviate the strain, but even then she failed to shift the pounds.

In 2010 she had a knee operation and was forced to take a month off work, leading to her gaining even more weight. It was during a shopping trip that she hit rock bottom. Her knee and weight problems forced her into using a mobility scooter, leaving her mortified.

She joined a Weight Watchers group at Sports Academy Social Club in Tipton. She ditched the takeaways and junk food and started taking note of what she ate.

She said: "When I reached my goal I felt so proud and my eldest daughter Stacey was with me and looked so happy for me. I couldn't wait to get home and tell my other daughter Katie and my husband."