A HEALTH visitor found the motivation to shed nearly one-third of her body weight after discovering she was fatter than a heart attack victim.

Judith Johnson, from Waterhouses, tipped the scales at 13 stone at the start of last year and struggled to walk up hills without losing breath.

However, it was not until a teenager made a chance remark that she fully realised how big she had become.

She signed up to Slimming World sessions at Waterfall.

Judith – who has been dropping in on patients across the Staffordshire Moorlands for 24 years – said: "Following a discussion about a person who had suffered the heart attack, the teenager said they were not as fat as me.

"I made a new year's resolution to lose weight and I haven't looked back since."

Judith – who has been supported by slimming consultant Joanne Steel – lost 56lbs in 50 weeks and now weighs in at a trim nine stone.

The transformation has been so great, her two teenage sons call her "Little Mum".

Judith – who weighs less than she did when she first married Ray – said: "Both my husband and sons are very pleased with my achievement but say I shouldn't lose any more. The plan now is to maintain my weight.

"When I started at the group I did not intend to lose such a significant amount but it is a great feeling when you weigh yourself and you have lost a lot of fat.

"The only downside is it has cost a fortune in new clothes."

And it is not just her family who think Judith has changed – many of her friends have struggled to recognise her.

Judith, who still eats three square meals but has cut out snacks, said: "When we have been out as a family some of the people I visit have asked my sons how I am. They can't believe I am the same person who is standing nearby.

"As part of my job I visit a lot of mums with their new-born babies. I weighed a baby recently and it was 25lbs. I then realised I had lost more than two babies in weight.

"I am very proud of my achievement, but most importantly is that I feel so much better."

Consultant Joanne said: "Judith has done brilliantly.

"She has lost four stone and looks amazing.

"It is just a case of a balanced diet. You can even eat fried breakfast if it is cooked right."

Joanne runs a group at the Churnet Rooms at Moorlands House, in Stockwell Street, Leek, on Mondays at 5.15pm and 7pm and at Novi Lane Church Centre, Leek, at 9am and 6pm on Wednesdays.

The Waterfall group meets every Thursday at 6.30pm.