Many of us make new year’s resolutions to lose weight and get fit but not many stick to it; mum-of-two Alex Sklar is an exception.

The Lower Halstow resident had struggled with her weight since having children but after celebrating Christmas 2013 decided it was time to take action.

Fast forward 12 months and the 29-year-old has lost seven-and-a-half stone, improving her appearance and fitness and boosting her self-esteem.

At her heaviest she weighed almost 20 stone and had tried to shed the pounds before but found it hard on her own so she joined a slimming group at Parkwood Junior School, Rainham.

Mrs Sklar said: “I was a little scared but I received such a warm welcome and I soon realised there was nothing to be worried about because we were all in the same boat: we all just wanted to lose weight.”

She then adopted a healthy eating plan, adding: “I was really dubious it would work for me at first and in my first week I thought there was no way I’m going to lose weight eating all this, as I hadn’t felt hungry or like I’d missed out at all.

“However, I’d lost seven-and-a-half pounds and now I’m seven stone lighter.

Mrs Sklar goes walking each week and has started to run as well.

She added: “I feel happier, healthier and have loads more confidence. I can’t believe the difference in me in just 12 months and neither can my family and friends.”