An East Molesey resident is up for the Slimmer’s World Woman of the Year award after halving her dress size in just 15 months.

Jane Bettles, 45, went from a size 24 to a size 12 in a mission to lose her middle-age spread and give her life a boost.

She said: “Fifteen months ago I would never have dreamt that today I’d be five and a half stone lighter, never mind have won a contest like this. My weight loss has made such a difference to my life – I’m healthier, happier and more confident.”

Jane had never appreciated her weight until she saw a photo of herself on Facebook in May of last year.

Within one week she had enrolled in East Molesey’s Slimming World group and began losing weight immediately.

Jane said: “It’s been fairly easy as I’ve managed to fit my diet around my lifestyle. Each week I’ve steadily lost weight, except for Christmas when I put a few pounds on – I’m still kicking myself for that.”

After six months the weight was not falling off as fast as Jane had hoped. She then took up swimming, running and belly dancing.

She added: “I couldn’t believe it when my name was called out and I realised I’d won our group’s Woman of the Year 2009 title. I’m so honoured because every woman in the group is so amazing and has made so many positive changes to their life by losing weight.”

Jane will now go through to the district finals, where the winner will be named Surrey’s Woman of the Year.

The UK’s Slimmer of the Year will be announced in November, and will win £5,000 cash or a luxury holiday.

Esther Quinn who runs Easy Molesey’s Slimming World group said: “I’m so proud of what Jane has achieved, she’s an incredibly worthy winner. She’s a real inspiration to the rest of the group.”

Jane’s top tips for other slimmers include: do not go shopping hungry, snack on fruit if you are feeling peckish and to drink lots of water to fill you up.

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