Her parents had both died relatively young and she was scared that, at nearly 18 stone, she wouldn't live much longer either.

Margaret had high blood pressure and, after trying numerous diets, her GP had finally agreed that she could have gastric band surgery.

Instead, she turned to a weight loss and management programme and the results have been so successful that she has become a model for the day.

Her case was highlighted by the magazine LighterLife after she lost over seven stone.

Margaret, who lives in Sothall, Sheffield, had been big since childhood and comes from a large family whose many social occasions revolved around food.

"My food was always quite good quality, it's just that the portions were far too big. I have three sons and I put on about two stones each time I got pregnant.

"I'd also use anything as an excuse to eat – it didn't matter whether I was happy, sad or simply wanted a distraction from work, it all led to eating."

It was sister Fran who suggested the way out and Margaret signed up with LighterLife counsellor Sharon Henshaw, who is based in Chesterfield.

"In the first week I lost 10 pounds. My family were all very supportive – I really couldn't have done it without them.

"My husband Martin started cooking Sunday dinners so I didn't have to do it and my youngest son, David, became my unofficial trainer, always encouraging me to go to the gym.

"I finished the weight-loss part of the programme in September last year and celebrated my 60th birthday in April.

"My family organised a fantastic party for me at a local hotel and I wore a new outfit that I'd chosen with the help of a personal shopper.

"There were lots of people there I hadn't seen for ages – some of them knew that I was losing weight and others had no idea, so it was amazing."

Margaret said her health has improved massively.

She is going to the gym about four times a week as well as swimming and joining yoga and pilates classes.

"Last time I had my pulse checked the nurse had to do it three times, it was so good for a 60-year-old she thought she must have done it wrong!"

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