TWO super slimmers from Crediton have been awarded the title of Diamond Member for setting a sparkling example of long-term weight loss.

Sharon Steer and June Bolt joined the Crediton Congregational Church Slimming World group and have lost five-and-a-half stone between them.

Even more impressively, they have kept the weight off ever since.

The title is awarded to the group’s most inspirational member(s) who have lost weight and maintained their new shape for more than a year – an accomplishment that Slimming World believes is the most under-recognised achievement in weight management. Both of them decided to join Slimming World to change their lives.

June wanted to lose weight to improve her health. Sharon wanted to do something about her weight, learn how to eat healthily and keep it off for life.

Both have dropped several dress sizes between them.

“When we first came to the group we found it hard to believe we would ever reach our target weight” admit both Sharon and June.

They took hold of the plan and completely changed their lifestyle.

“Sharing tips and ideas has definitely helped me maintain my weight loss," said June.

"Each week in group I pick up new ideas and recipes – even now after one year at target!”

Sharon began following Slimming World’s Food Optimising eating plan, which encourages slimmers to fill up on healthy, satisfying foods like fruit and veg, pasta, rice, potatoes, lean meat and fish so she could lose weight without going hungry or feeling deprived.

Sharon said: “I still eat the same way today and I’ve passed lots of healthy habits on to my family and friends too, food optimising really is so easy.”

Since reaching their target weigh in 2017 both Sharon and June have continued to attend the Crediton Congregational Church group every Saturday and believe, without the constant support, they would have struggled to keep the weight off.

Emma Powlesland who runs the Crediton Congregational Church group every Saturday said: “I’m so proud of both of them and the inspirational way in which they maintained their weight loss."