TRYING to lose weight had been almost a life-long ambition for pensioner Judy Stanley. Ill health and diabetes saw her lose her left leg and Judy s weight soared to over 20 stones until a year ago when she decided she would fight the flab. Diagnosed as a

TRYING to lose weight had been almost a life-long ambition for pensioner Judy Stanley.

Ill health and diabetes saw her lose her left leg and Judy's weight soared to over 20 stones until a year ago when she decided she would fight the flab.

Diagnosed as a type 2 diabetic when she was 50, Judy, now 61, was accompanying a friend who had an appointment with her doctor at Lister Hospital about her own weight.

"When she was told to lose four stone because of her weight I thought I had better do something about mine because I was a lot heavier than her," said Judy, a widower of St Mary's Avenue, Stotfold.

But her journey has often been painful because in the past year she herself has had to return to Lister Hospital to be fitted with 11 new prosthetic legs.

"It is a big joke at the Slimming World Club in stotfold. Everyone calls me legs eleven," said Judy, who is now much trimmer and aims to lose even more weight with a target of ten and a half stones now in her sights.

"I look good now and sometimes I look at myself and don't know who I am. It is like living in a new body. I didn't find losing weight difficult but it has been worth it for my health so I would recommend it to anyone who needs to shed a few pounds.

"Having to change my left leg 11 times has been painful at times but my insulin intake has gone down from 114 units a day to 18 so I feel great.

"If I can do it anyone can. I no longer sit in the armchair munching on crisps and other snacks. I have completely re-organised my eating habits and never feel hungry.

"My life has been about being overweight that was until I decided to do something about it. No longer do I feed on the bad things but eat properly and the results have been wonderful.

"It has been quite a journey but well worth it."

Now Judy is planning to start her own slimming clinic at Purwell School in the community centre on May 20 to preach what she has learned over the past year.

"I want to help other people who want to lose weight. I am proof that it is possible even with my problems of having just one leg and being a diabetic," added Judy.