A WINSFORD mum says people don’t recognise her in the street after shedding half her body weight in ten months through exercise classes at The Lifestyle Centre.

Joanne Sanderson knew she had to do something about her weight when she realised she was avoiding mirrors.

Aged 29 with 10-year-old twins and tipping the scales at nearly 22 stones, she decided enough was enough.

“I hated seeing my reflexion. If ever I went shopping for clothes I could never find the right styles for my age that fitted me,” she explained.

“The day I realised just how big I’d become was when I went shopping for a new coat and a size 24 was too small for me. My size made me feel horrible and very unattractive.

“I decided to take my boys swimming at Winsford Lifestyle Centre but I was so embarrassed about how I looked that I didn’t even want to leave the changing room.”

The Ways Green resident eventually did get into the pool and joined the centre’s Member Journey Programme, taking part in fitness workouts in the gym and group fitness classes under the guidance of the Brio Leisure’s fitness team.

Ten months later, she’s preparing for a summer holiday abroad and has bought a bikini for the first time in her life. She’s shed almost 11 stones and slimmed to a trim size 10-12 dress size.

“I feel amazing. I have so much more energy for the family and now look forward to going shopping and am really excited about our beach holiday.

“People have even walked past me in the street and not recognised me. Taking that one step to go through Brio’s doors has changed my life completely.

“I never thought I could do this or look and feel as great as I do.”