In September 2007 Paula Smyth weighed just over 16 stone 12lbs and her clothes were a size 28. Since then, thanks to a complete lifestyle change, she has slimmed down to nine stone 10lbs and a size 10 dress size.

With the backing of her local WeightWatchers group based in Rathcoole Presbyterian Church, Paula began to change her life with the Discover Plan - a points-based eating plan which focuses on calorie and saturated fat intake - and by adopting a healthier lifestyle and taking more exercise.

"I was a chocoholic and I found it very difficult at first, but once I got into it it got a lot easier," she explained. "It was a complete change of lifestyle. I had to change what I ate and the amount of physical activity I did."

Paula now walks around five miles every day and eats more healthily - something that has also benefited the rest of her family at meal times.

The 46-year-old, who is grateful to everyone who has supported her in her battle against the bulge, revealed that it isn't only her physical appearance that has changed over the past couple of years, but that her weight loss has also had significant health benefits.

Read the full story in this week's Times...