by Emma Grove
egrove@thekmgroup.co.uk

A whole packet of biscuits for breakfast and a takeaway for dinner was what caused Mary Mercer’s weight to rocket to almost 20st.

But the super slimmer has now lost the equivalent weight of another person and has reached a size 10-12.

The 33-year-old's weight crept up after giving birth to her son Drew six years ago. At her heaviest she weighed over 19st and was a size 22.

Mary, who lives in Somerset Road, Shepway, with Drew and her husband Phil, joined the Rosemary Conley Diet and Fitness Club in Maidstone and in a year and a half shed 8st 7lb.

She has managed to keep it off for three years and now weighs 11st 1lb.

Mary would eat a packet of chocolate biscuits for breakfast and then not eat again until lunchtime when she would have a McDonald’s or some sort of pastry.

Takeaways were on the menu five out of seven nights and on the rare occasion she cooked, there would be nothing fresh – just frozen meals.

Although she was once forced to get off a ride at a funfair because the safety barrier wouldn’t close over her, that embarrassment wasn’t enough to prompt a diet.

It was her sister Tracy forcing her along to a club meeting because she was worried about her that finally worked.

She was aiming to lose 4st but never thought she’d achieve her target – until the weight started falling off.

Mary, who works in admin at Maidstone Hospital’s ultrasound department, said it was as simple as exercising and a healthy diet which aided her transformation.

She added: “I reached 4st and just wanted to keep going. The incentive of losing it helped and I felt so good.
“I used to be happy to stay in and watch TV.
“Now my life has changed completely and the difference in me is unbelievable. We can do so much more as a family and I am able to take Drew to the park and take part in activities with him.”