A MUM has been voted Hereford's Slimming World Woman of the Year after dramatically dropping from a dress size 24 to a 10.

Rebecca McCabe, who managed her weight before and after pregnancy, won the title thanks to inspiring other women to do the same.

The mum of one, who lives in Hereford, said: “I never could have dreamt that I’d be in this position when I first began my weight loss journey. Losing weight has made such a big difference to me. My health is better, I have more energy, I’m happier and I feel more comfortable in my own skin.”

Rebecca is now sharing her journey with her eight month old daughter and is delighted that she is able to pass on her new healthy living habits with her family.

She explained: “Since having by daughter I have now lost a further 2st 7.5lb I am planning to keep up my healthy habits and ensure my daughter picks up these great habits too. I feel like I’m giving my daughter the best start in life.”

Rebecca explained the key to her weight loss success: "My family and friends are all amazed by how much I can eat and still lose weight. I still eat many of the same meals that I did before I started losing weight, like risottos, lasagne, cooked breakfasts. Now I just prepare and cook them differently and they taste so much better."

She has also started walking and swimming twice a week and doing a daily workout DVD.

Francine Gauci, a consultant who runs who runs the Saxon Hall Slimming World group, said: "We’re all so proud of Rebecca and what she’s done to improve not only her own health, but the health of her family too. We don’t encourage weight loss or ‘dieting’ during pregnancy – instead we support women to adopt a balanced, healthy diet to prevent excess weight gain.

"We have a specially-adapted version of our healthy eating plan for pregnant members, that women can stick to during pregnancy and when breastfeeding.

"Many women who come to my group tell me that their weight problems began when they became pregnant with their first child and lots of members say that they gained more weight with successive pregnancies too. I tell my members that it doesn’t have to be that way, and that at Slimming World expectant mums can make simple and straightforward changes to the way they shop, cook and eat to prevent excess weight gain while pregnant, and manage a healthy weight after birth.

"Rebecca is a shining example that this can be done, and I know she’ll keep these changes up for the health and happiness of her family.”

The Hereford Slimming World group meets every Wednesday at 1.30pm, 3.30pm, 5.30pm and 7.30pm at Saxon Hall, Hoarwithy Road.