Yummy mummy Tanya's back to feeling her best

Seeing her dress size creep to new heights was the push Tanya Johnson needed to join her local Slimming World. Now, over four stones lighter, she's feeling more like the yummy mummy she used to be, writes Liz Rowley

DONNING her best outfit and hitting the clubs was something Tanya Johnson always loved to do until motherhood took her in a different direction. Out went the figure-hugging outfits, high heels and glamorous hairstyles and in came plain trousers and well-structured tops that covered a multitude of sins.

"I was quite a young mum when I had Josh," says the 37-year-old, referring to her now 18-year-old son. "I was thought of as a yummy mummy and Josh's friends always thought I was really cool because I was going to clubs and always looked quite trendy. But as more children came along I seemed to lose my identity as I became more focused on being a mum."

With four children of her own – including 11-year-old Ethian and Lily-Ray, aged nine – and two step-children to look after, Tanya's life soon revolved around school runs and preparing family meals. Problems with her weight, however, didn't reach the fore until she had her youngest daughter, Ruby, six years ago.

She says: "Me and my husband had met and married within four months and I had Ruby almost straight away. I think I got a bit content with having a new husband and new baby and I let things slip a bit. I'd never been a size 18 before but I had to buy size 18 trousers to go out in on New Year's Eve 2007. I was just mortified. I just thought that I'd really let myself go and it was about time I did something about it."

Having tried and tested most diets on the market, Slimming World was one of the only things Tanya had yet to put faith in. Fortunately, her mum was on hand to take up the challenge with her and together they set out to make 2008 a much lighter year.

"Mum had lost weight on Slimming World in the past and said she would come with me if I fancied giving it a go," says Tanya, who lives in Birks Street, Stoke, with her husband Malc, aged 39. "We went in the first week of January 2008 and it was heaving with new people wanting to lose weight after Christmas. Since then we are the only two who have stuck with it from the 30 that joined at the same time."

A former figurine paintress with Country Artists, Tanya was sadly made redundant a few years ago, leaving her days very bare. Although she worked at home for a couple of years, temptation to relieve the boredom with food quickly set in.

She admits: "Ruby is the only child I haven't worked with since I was made redundant. I used to always make a point of having breakfast at work, but I seemed to be just spending time sorting the kids out in the morning that I'd never sit and have breakfast myself. I'd then just grab a sandwich and packet of crisps for lunch and have pie and mashed potato for tea. In between this I'd be snacking all the time because I was so bored."

Thanks to the motivation of others in the group, Tanya quickly lost over two stones within the first six months. Now she is just 2½lbs off her target weight and has never felt better.

"My diet has changed a lot even though you're allowed to eat almost anything on the plan," she says. "I've brought a lot of fruit and vegetables into my day and I now know that you can get full on fruit without having to reach for the chocolate all the time. Slimming World has a recipe for just about anything and if you do feel tempted by something sweet you're not penalised for this," she adds. "I've also joined Gymophobics and make a point of going with my mum three times a week. It's good for toning up and they take your measurements every three months so you can see the inches you're losing as well."

Back to her old size 10 and 12 clothes, Tanya is looking and feeling better than she has in years. And with New Year approaching she's determined not to slip back to old habits.

She concludes: "Even after I've reached my target I'm still going to go to the class because I find it really motivating. You think you can do it on your own at home but it's easy to fall back to the way you were. Having other people around you who are trying to achieve the same thing is fantastic and keeps you going."

Tanya attends the Oakhill Group at Trent Vale Methodist Church which meets every Wednesday at 5.30pm or 7pm. For details call 07718 101773.

Group leader Sam Smith says: "Tanya's done really well. I know she has had patches where she struggled but she's persevered and is so close to reaching her target weight now. She helps out in the group as well and has really stuck with it since she started. She looks fantastic."