A BRIDPORT woman has turned her life and her health around since losing six-and-a-half stone.

Zita Zimbalatti, 28, tragically lost her parents at the age of 15 years, and became a carer for her younger siblings, two of them who had disabilities.

Zita said she always battled with her weight whilst growing up but the pounds piled on even more as a young adult, once she gave up smoking.

The mum-of-one had another scare when her partner, Ray, aged then 21, had cancer, twice, and had to undergo a major operation. Zita became Ray's carer for some time after, but thankfully Ray has now been cancer free for one year.

It was during this time that Zita said she reflected on her poor eating habits and having lost her parents to weight-related health problems. Zita said she had been suffering with type 2 diabetes and had high blood pressure. She said the doctors were very concerned about her and every night she would go to bed and wonder if she was going to die that night.

When she had her son, Marley, now aged 7, and she decided that the last thing she wanted was for him to lose either parent at such a young age.

Her Aunt Natalie had started losing weight with Slimming World and Zita said she went along out of curiosity after hearing about all the fresh food her aunt could have.

When Zita arrived she said: "I was shaking with fear and my heart was racing, but even though I was by far the biggest person there, all I received was a warm welcome, no judgement or humiliation.

“The warmth and friendliness of the consultant and the other members. I knew instantly that they understood how I was feeling and I just felt so at home there."

Every week Zita stayed to the group’s Image Therapy sessions, which she credits with really helping her weight loss journey. Her Aunt became a consultant herself, after losing six stone and Zita joined her class.

Although she is still on her journey, Zita said her life has already changed. Before she lost the weight she said she wouldn't go out unless she really had to, she would hide away and try to make herself invisible, as she said she was so sad and ashamed of her size, and felt that everyone would be judging her.

Now she goes to the gym, enjoys socialising and running around playing football with Marley. She has now come off all her diabetic medication and her blood pressure is well within the normal range.

Zita said her only regret is not finding Slimming World sooner, but she said that with the support of her class she knows she will go on to achieve her dream weight.