IT WAS not a health scare which spurred Ivy Bailey into action 12 months ago, but a New Year's resolution made while watching the Christmas TV.

Like many of us at this time of year, Ivy finally decided she'd had enough of being overweight and wanted to do something about it.

Weighing in at 16st 9lb, the 48-year-old secretary, from Shaw Street, Newcastle, had begun to find even simple tasks had become hard work because of her size.

"I would go upstairs and my heart would be pounding," says Ivy. "It was no good, I had to make a change."

She was also motivated by a milestone birthday in the not-too-distant future. "I just didn't want to be fat at 50," she says.

"There was nothing specific which made me put the weight on in the first place, I was just eating all the wrong things. It builds up gradually doesn't it? Over the last 15 years my weight has gone up and up.

"Then I saw an advert for the Extra Easy plan from Slimming World and it sounded really good, so I thought I'd give it a go."

Ivy joined her local Slimming World class in January last year and has only missed the class a few times since then.

"I missed the weeks when we were on holiday, but, apart from that, I made sure I went."

Before Slimming World, Ivy's diet consisted of takeaways and ready meals, but these were not her biggest downfall.

She explains: "Throughout the day I just used to eat cheese, cheese and more cheese. I love it."

However, Slimming World has changed her eating habits for the better. "It's completely different now," she says. "I make all my meals from scratch, things like chilli con carne and curries. The chilli is one of my favourites. I eat a lot of salads too.

"You are allowed treats like cheese and chocolate on the plan, but I try not to have them.

"The group has kept me going. If you ever have a bad week they really cheer you up and encourage you, it's like a big family."

The weight loss itself also helped to keep her motivated.

"The more I lost, the more I wanted to keep going. I'm a new person now as I have so much more energy. I go to the gym four times a week and I feel great. I can go shopping and buy nice clothes now, which is good because I love clothes."

And she is not the only one reaping the rewards of her efforts.

"My husband, Robert, has lost a stone since I started," says Ivy. "He eats the same food as me every night, and there are no biscuits or cheese in the house so he's done well from it."

Ivy's advice for anyone wanting to lose weight is to get out and join a group like Slimming World.

"Just get yourself through those doors and into the class," she says. "It can seem scary, but the group gives you so much support, and you get weighed every week which makes you really stick to it.

"I could never have done it without the group. Slimming World has a brilliant magazine too. There's so much help for you. If I can follow it and lose weight, anyone can."

For details on Claire Brough's Slimming World classes at Newcastle library, call 01782 787705