A Mayland woman is celebrating after losing a whopping 7st – and managing to continue her slimming journey through lockdown.

Emma Valsaycer, 41, started her weight loss transformation in March, 2019, and when the pandemic struck was determined not let Covid-19 get in the way of her healthy new lifestyle.

She said: "Even with the challenges of working from home and home schooling my weight loss journey was too important for my future health and happiness."

Emma lost her weight after joining her local Slimming World group, run by Kay Driscoll, well-known in the area as a Slimming World consultant for the past seven-and-a-half years.

And Emma is full of praise for the help and support she received from Kay, even when things got tough and the pandemic meant groups had to move online from March this year until August.

Emma said: "The Food Optimising eating plan is fantastic, of course, but it's the support you get every week that really makes the difference.

"If you've had a good week everyone helps you celebrate and if you've had a bad week they help you get back on track and remind you how far you've come.

"Knowing that Kay will be here for us with a warm welcome – and a friendly face – no matter what is an amazing feeling because I know she cares about our weight loss just as much as we do. It's the ongoing commitment and care that helps you to succeed in your weight loss, where before you may have failed or given up."

Now Kay, who currently runs groups Slimming World Groups in Mayland & Burnham on Crouch, will relaunch the Monday morning group at Danbury Village Hall.

Kay said: "Our Slimming World promise is to run our groups 52 weeks of the year to ensure members' slimming success.

"As tough as it was during lockdown we were there for our members.

"So when members show their commitment by coming to the weekly group, we have to be there for them and give them the fantastic support that they've signed up for.

"Particularly if you're just starting out on your slimming journey, getting support can be the one thing that makes the difference between succeeding or going off track. Shutting down support was not an option for us. So, even though it was challenging we were there for our members."

To join Danbury Monday morning Slimming World group or to book into one of Kay's other classes, call Kay on 07889 143934 or visit the Slimming World website here.