A BOURNEMOUTH woman looks unrecognisable after losing more than four stone in weight as she finds the secret to successful weight loss.

Rita Hopkinson, 64, has transformed her life after her weight used to make her feel judged, isolated and anxious.

Rita joined her local Slimming World group in Moordown and was surprised to discover the support and understanding.

As a child Rita was involved in a car accident which broke her lower right side leaving her with a permanent limp and instability meaning she wasn’t very active. 

As the years passed Rita’s weight increased resulting in her being too heavy for her weakened side. Rita found herself depending on a wheelchair to get around and her weight continued to increase developing type 2 diabetes prescribed insulin and her driving licence being suspended. 

Rita said: “It was a slap in the face, but instead of focusing my mind on losing weight, it was just the opposite, I convinced myself this was my future, so I just got on with it. On reflection, I wasted years of my life with this attitude”

Knowing she needed to something Rita was encouraged by her friend June to join her local Slimming World group in Moordown. 

Recalling her first morning in the group, she said: “I was extremely nervous, but everyone was so nice. I know people always say that, but it is actually true."

Rita’s weight loss has seen her go from sitting in a wheelchair and having to have someone put her shoes on for her to being able to go for walks, swimming and even enjoying doing my own housework and all within a year.

Rita added: “It’s the non scale victories as well as the weight loss that really kept me motivated, the first time I walked to the shop and back by myself.  The joy of putting clothes in a charity bag because they were too big.  The day when I was taken off insulin because my glucose readings were too low and the DVLA returned my driving licence”.