AN East End woman, who lost 3.5 stone in just 10 months, has been named the Cranhill’s Slimming World Woman of the Year.

Lesley Anne Williams, 54, from Moodiesburn, embarked on an inspiring weight loss journey and after losing 3.5 stone has now went into remission after ten years of tackling type two diabetes.

Lesley Anne spoke of how her weight gain and diabetes affected her life.

She said: “I had been taking insulin and three sets of tablets for the last 10 years and started to take hypos at night with the fear of going into a diabetic coma which terrified me along with the many other symptoms of diabetes.

“I was unhappy with my weight and wasn’t interested in any form of exercise.

“I dreaded activities such as shopping for clothes. I would go home depressed and feeling helpless.”

Lesley Anne then found slimming world in May 2014, a diet that she could follow.

She said: “My family and friends are all amazed how much I can eat and still lose weight.

“I still eat many of the same meals that I did before I started losing weight.

“I don’t feel deprived and still have my spaghetti bolognese, spicy curries and stews.”

Lesley Anne was then over the moon to discover the dramatic reduction in her HBA1C, average glucose level, which dropped dramatically from 80 to 44.

This news meant Lesley Anne’s consultant could confirm her diabetes was in remission and she no longer needed to take her insulin and her tablets after 10 years.

If the HBA1C stays within these figures for 1 year she will then be discharged.

Lesley Anne added: “I’m more confident and I like the person I see in the mirror. After losing 3.5 stone I’m the slimmest – and the happiest – I’ve been since my twenties.

“I feel like a winner already, so being voted the Cranhill’s group’s Woman of the Year 2015 is just amazing.”

Karen McVitie, who runs the Cranhill group, is so proud of Lesley Anne.

She said: “Not only does she look fabulous, she’s improved her health and is bursting with energy.

“She’s a huge inspiration to everyone in our group and I hope she inspires other women in Cranhill to change their lives in the same way.

“It can be hard to admit that you need to do something about your weight and to ask for help, but I think Lesley Anne shows just what’s possible when you do.”

The Cranhill Slimming World group is held every Monday at 5.30pm & 7.30pm in Cranhill Community Centre. To join or find out more call Karen on 07940911202.