A shop worker who suddenly stopped breathing at night due to her obesity made a number of drastic life changes and shed a massive seven stone.
Donna Ludlow had reached her heaviest in April 2019 - weighing 17st6lb on the scales with a BMI of 44.
Taking inspiration from a friend, she decided to join her local Slimming World group, the Liverpool Echo reports.
The 35-year-old, from Southport in Merseyside, decided to commit to weight loss after suffering with sleep apnoea - where she would stop breathing throughout the night.
Donna, who now weighs a trim 10st 1lbs, said: “I was sick of looking at myself in the mirror and worried about my health.
"I suffered with palpitations regularly which was very frightening indeed.
"I had a lot of aches and pains; particularly lower back issues and I was also getting sleep apnoea.
"I would wake up bolt upright throughout the night with a sharp intake of breath as I’d stopped breathing.
"I always felt tired, I didn’t have the energy to cook or do any exercise which meant I found it difficult to lose weight.
“One morning I woke up and said: ‘It doesn't have to be like this anymore’. A friend at work recommended her local Slimming World group and I thought I’ll give it a go.
"That decision changed my life.
"I went on to lose over 7st and I know I will always feel forever in my friend’s debt for suggesting I join.
"I don’t know where I would be now if I hadn’t agreed to go with her."
Donna's experiences support research from Slimming World that weight impacts sleep.
A survey of 3,156 people showed that nearly two thirds (62%) said they had problems sleeping, with many waking up more than twice a night and tiredness affecting their diet and activity choices.
Members with a higher BMI were more likely to struggle with their sleep.
However, almost 50% of Slimming World members losing 15% or more bodyweight said their sleep improved after losing weight and over a third of the members surveyed said they’d been sleeping better since joining Slimming World (38%).
Donna added: "Throughout my life, I’d watched my dress size go up and up.
"I’d often tried to lose weight on my own, but I rarely lasted more than a month with my best efforts resulting in losing no more than one stone.
"I’ve always been large and was a bit of a chubby child growing up.
"I was often bullied at secondary school and can recall wearing a skirt one day and someone pointing at me laughing and shouting, 'Look at Donna's fat legs'.
“I was also anxious about my family health as in 2006 my mum had a stroke at the age of 45 due to her weight.
"I remember the day very clearly as it was one of the worst days in my life and one of those pivotal moments where life would never be the same again.
"I feel very lucky indeed as thankfully mum is still with us, but ever since that day I’ve been very aware of my health.
"In the back of my mind, I was convinced the same thing was going to happen to me and it was a source of great worry and stress."
Donna’s Slimming World Consultant Dee Wright said: "Donna's journey is incredibly inspiring, her transformation is amazing and when she shares in the group each week how active she is, how her confidence has grown and that she’s enjoying life it makes my heart sing.
"To think Donna used to stop breathing through the night is so scary.
"Since losing weight, Donna’s found she’s sleeping soundly, she feels healthier, and she’s reached her dream weight – I’m so proud of her."
