A Norfolk photographer, who transformed her life by losing three and a half stone, is using her success to help others and shape a whole new career.

Rebecca Woods, from Rollesby, makes a living from taking other people’s pictures but hated seeing pictures of herself.

Gaining weight during the lockdowns, she turned her life around and shed 45 lbs.

Now, Ms Woods wants to offer support to others as Caister's new Slimming World consultant with a new group opening at The Centurion's function room on Monday, June 17 from 7pm.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: The Centurion, Ormesby Road, Caister.The Centurion, Ormesby Road, Caister. (Image: Google)She said: "I’d gotten so that I barely recognised myself, and my self-esteem was through the floor when I thought about how unfit I’d become.

"I love our Norfolk countryside, and it’s how I first got into photography, but even a walk on the beach left me feeling out of breath with achy joints."

As a wedding photographer, she routinely spends eight plus hours on her feet, with heavy camera gear slung over her shoulders.

After she gained weight, her back would ache for days following a photoshoot. 

"I knew I had to do something but was feeling overwhelmed with what felt like a mountain to climb, and the confusing claims from the diet pills and faddy diets all over social media," Ms Woods added.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Rebecca Woods before her lifestyle transformation.Rebecca Woods before her lifestyle transformation. (Image: Submitted)She explained how as part of the support to help people eat more healthily and to lose weight, Norfolk County Council have partnered with Slimming World to offer 12 weeks of free in-person group support sessions.

Attending Claire Utting's group in Martham, Ms Woods quickly fell in love with a food plan which she said is "not a stereotypical diet, but more of a lifestyle choice based around tasty food".

Losing four pounds in her first week, Ms Woods battled on and lost three and a half stone during her time at the Martham group.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Rebecca Woods said she feels a new lease of life after losing three and a half stone.Rebecca Woods said she feels a new lease of life after losing three and a half stone. (Image: Submitted)"I feel confident and full of energy now," she said after adding jogging and gym sessions to her new healthier lifestyle.

"I’ve now taken the next step and trained as a Slimming World Consultant, so I can support local people make changes and lose weight."

To find out more about the Caister, Monday evening Slimming World group, call Rebecca on 07398 918211 or visit Slimming World in Caister On Sea with Rebecca on Facebook.