"Being overweight was always difficult, clothes were a problem, I couldn't enjoy doing things with the children [and] I never felt confident in social situations."
That's how one grandmother-of-eight who struggled to squeeze into size 24 dresses has felt for most of her adult life before shedding more than half her bodyweight and losing a whopping 12-and-a-half stone.
Rose Mary Halliwell said she used to make jokes and derogatory remarks about herself to hide her feelings about her weight, describing it as "self-preservation" by "getting in before they do." But today the 73-year-old can have the final laugh after transforming her health and finding the energy and confidence to enjoy life with family and friends.
Read more: Incredible transformations from 12 super slimmers who shed over 100 stone
The 73-year-old, from Seaton Delaval, said: "I struggled with walking, I had sticks. I had arthritis in my knees and had one replaced but was told other one needed doing also. I don't need it done since loosing the weight.
"I struggled to walk up the stairs and had to use the stair lift when the pain was really bad."
She added: "I have so much energy compared to before. I can walk for miles, and although I have never been keen on exercising, I do something every day, even if it is housework.
"I was also introduced to hula hooping at Slimming World. It was something I could never master in my youth, but I love it now. I now love going on holidays and am not embarrassed to wear shorts or little vest tops."
Rose's weight loss journey began when her daughter announced that she was getting married. Rose said she "wanted to look better than [she] had done at all of [her] children's weddings".
Her weight loss continued when her husband was diagnosed with diabetes at 60. The couple switched their eating habits and Rose's weight came down to 19 stone.
And following his death six years ago, Rose said her weight dropped further as she "adjusted to life alone".
Rose said: "My husband and I were feeders so it was big meals, takeaway at weekend, he bought me chocolates and wine every week. When he developed diabetes we changed our lifestyle somewhat and my weight slowly came down.
"My weight was down to 19 stone before his death six years ago. I lost a bit more as I adjusted to life alone."
After years of yo-yo dieting, Rose joined Slimming World in June 2017 and has dropped a whopping six dress sizes, slimming from a size 24 to a size 12. She has been supported to adapt to a healthier lifestyle and has also enjoyed the "social experience" of the group.
She said: "I know that by losing weight with Slimming World I have extended my life, but it is also a better quality of life. I have never used a weight loss group before, always just yo-yo dieted, but this has been a life changing experience.
"I will never stop going to group, it is a social experience I couldn’t give up.”
Slimming World explain that research shows that joining a slimming group makes losing weight more effective than going it alone.
Often people believe that if they try to lose weight without telling anyone else, it'll be easier and they'll be less vulnerable and less likely to be judged, the company explains.
Rose's consultant Leanne, who runs the Seaton Delaval Slimming World groups on Thursdays at 9am, 5.30pm and 7.30pm, said: "Rose is one of our amazing target members who is maintaining her weight fabulously.
"She is a real mumsy character in the group, who looks out for everyone and always has a good word for everyone.
"She loves her baked oats and always has an idea to help other members. She's a real inspiration to what can be achieved if you really want it, with the support of a group like ours."
Read next:
