Walking her dog sees woman and her pet both become top slimmers

Walking the dog has helped a slimmer shed nearly five stone to scoop an accolade and seen her pet lose almost half its weight too.

Before and after: Harleston slimmer Gemma Murton named owman of the year after losing nearly five stone. Picture: Slimming World - Credit: Slimming World

Gemma Murton, 36, from Stradbroke, has slimmed from 17st 4lb to 12st 11lb in just 20 months to be named Harleston's Slimming World Woman of the Year 2019.

She will now represent the group in the nationwide competition, which aims to find the UK and Ireland's most inspiring female slimmer.

Jill the dog who has also lost weight. Picture: Gemma Murton - Credit: Gemma Murton

Gemma, who works at Morrisons in Diss, has dropped down from a dress size 24 to a 14 and now leads an active life including regularly walking her dog Jill.

She said: "I started to put on weight after having my little boy. Losing weight has made such a big difference to my life. My health has improved, I have more energy, I'm happier and I feel more comfortable in my own skin."

Rowena Mason, who runs the Harleston group, says: "I'm so proud of Gemma. She's a huge inspiration to everyone in our group and I hope she inspires other women - and men - in the Harleston area to change their lives in the same way."