A WOMAN who was shocked into losing weight after spending an exotic holiday jealous of girls in bikini has won an award.

Miranda Grogan, who lives in Potters Bar, has gone from a heavy 14 stone to a slender nine stone 12 in just one year.

The 27-year-old has now been voted Thursday tasters Slimming World Woman of the Year because of her efforts.

She said: “I have always struggled with my weight and have never been truly happy with myself and the way I look.

“The last straw for me was when on holiday in the Canary Islands, laying by the pool covering up as much of my body as I could.

“After spending ten days envying girls in bikinis and shorts, I decided right then and there – that’s it - that’s going to be me in a year’s time.

“I landed on the Thursday morning and joined that evening. I tried lots of different diets but they usually left me feeling hungry or miserable or both.”

She eats a meal of pasta, potatoes, rice, meat and fish without having to weigh or measure send says her family and friends are “amazed” at how much she can eat.

Now happy with her weight, she is encouraging people not to be afraid of making the leap and joining Slimming World.

The support she received from her consultant, Melanie Lambert, she says has been invaluable.

She added: “When I started out I never dreamt I’d be able to achieve all the changes I have. I lost 4lb in my first week and was blown away at how the changes I’d made had such a big impact so quickly.

“Losing the weight has made such a huge difference, it’s changed my life. I’ve got so much energy and I enjoy doing things I couldn’t before.

“I’m more confident and I like the slim, happy, positive person I see in the mirror. I feel like a winner already, so being voted the Thursday tasters group’s Woman of the Year 2015 is just the icing on the cake."

The Saturday Slimming World group is held every Saturday at 8.30am at The Jubilee Centre Wayside Potters Bar.

The Thursday Slimming World group is held every Thursday 5.30pm and 7.30pm at The Walk Potters Bar.

To join or find out more call Melanie Lambert on 07941 495 767.