Zoe Greenslade, of Taunton, lost almost half her body weight

Zoe Greenslade stopped socialising after piling on the stones, but that's all changed now and she's back to being the life and soul of the party.

Three years ago, Zoe, from Taunton, had ballooned to 22st 1lb after years of using food as a coping mechanism.

But since dropping to 11st 10lb - an amazing loss of 10st 5lb - she's felt more energetic and even been on a rollercoaster with her daughter for the first time and started cycling to work.

And her new look gave her the confidence to be centre stage at her 40th birthday bash.

BEFORE: Zoe at the start of 2017

Zoe said: "At the beginning of 2017 I felt really unwell.

"It was getting ridiculous, I couldn’t even get up the stairs without getting out of breath.

"Not only did I not feel healthy, but I also hated how I looked.

"I’d stopped socialising and being my fun-loving self. I was very conscious that my 40th birthday was fast approaching and if I didn’t do something now I was at risk of serious health problems."

Zoe said that growing up she had associated a full stomach with satisfaction.

She decided to sign up to LighterLife on a plan that saw her lose a stone a month by eating four tasty products instead of her high sugar snacks and big family feasts.

AFTER: Zoe as she is today

Zoe said she has been supported by her LighterLife counsellor and the other woman in her group who all offer support and have convinced her not to head straight for the biscuit tin to cope with her emotions.

She added: "Today I realise that food was the one thing that was making me miserable, so for all those times where I was ‘treating’ myself I was just making myself unhappier in the long run.

"I’ve learnt that the emotions I was suppressing with food can be dealt with in other ways.

"Since losing more than 10st I’ve just been enjoying life to the full.

"I celebrated my 40th birthday in style after finding the confidence to be centre stage at my big birthday bash.

"This year I sat next to my daughter on a rollercoaster for the first time - it felt amazing to join in the excitement rather than sitting on the side-lines.

"I’ve even started riding a bike to work - 22st Zoe would never have been able to do that.

"It’s given me back the life food was taking away from me and I’m now the energetic mum I want to be."

ZOE'S DIET BEFORE:

Breakfast: Toast with thick butter and jam.

Lunch: Sandwich, crisps, cake.

Tea: Spaghetti bolognaise/pasta and garlic bread.

Snacks: Biscuits, crisps, cake, chocolate.

AND WHAT SHER EATS NOW:

Breakfast: LighterLife porridge and raspberries.

Lunch: Egg salad and yoghurt.

Tea: Chicken breast, veg, sweet potato.

Snacks: Fruit, yoghurt, hummus and pepper sticks.