WISTASTON slimmer Sian Owen is seeing the benefits of a New Year’s resolution she made 12 months ago.

The 36-year-old has struggled to lose weight until a promise to herself last January resulted in a successful diet and exercise regime.

At her biggest, Sian was 15 stone 4lbs, and had very little confidence, avoiding new places and social occasions.

In particular, Sian stayed away from photographers. But when, after her son's first Christmas, she realised there were no photographs of her and her son at all, she decided something had to change.

After attending the Winsford Slimming World group each Monday, she lost 5 stone 10.5 lbs during 2013.

Sian said: “I was really nervous about walking into the group that first time.

“I figured there would be lots of new people joining the group as it was January and hoped I’d be able to blend into the background and not have to speak to anyone.

“Now I find it funny that I was so scared because I got such a warm welcome and I soon realised there was nothing to be worried about because we were all in the same boat.

“After starting to slim down, I felt confident enough to start being more active too. Now I can walk for miles and really enjoy running to keep fit too.

“I used to struggle just to get up and down after my little boy but now I love running around playing with him.”