DISABLED dieter Lisa Hindley, from Littledean, has already lost over four stone in 18 months but says she wants to lose another three stone by October.
With many New Year dieters' resolutions dropping by the wayside Slimming World leader Pauline Bent thinks the story of wheelchair user Lisa Hindley could inspire people to renewed efforts.
Lisa said: "I joined Slimming World on October 10, 2007 and have never looked back.
"Not being as mobile as everyone else I knew it would be a struggle but I was as determined then as I am now to lose my weight."
Lisa says has had a weight problem since she was 11 years-old and her weight has fluctuated throughout her life.
When she left school at 16 Lisa was 5ft 3 and over 11 stone and had to start using a wheelchair.
She said: "A month after leaving school I started work as an office clerk. I only drank tea but everyone else drank coffee and I always ended up with coffee instead.
"I hated the taste but was too shy to complain so I started going to the local sweet shop on my way into work and buying four chocolate bars to have while enduring the hot sickly sweet coffee that I was always presented with."
When Lisa was 18 she started wheelchair sports and dieted to reach just under nine stone but when she was 21 her weight gradually started to increase.
After her second pregnancy at the age of 26, Lisa's weight tipped 16 and a half stone and she started buying men's clothes because they were looser and more comfortable.
A job sitting behind the checkout meant her weight escalated until she was a size 22 to 24 and became very self-conscious.
The trauma of a broken marriage and another unexpected pregnancy as well as illness in the family left Lisa back at 16 and a half stone.
She said: "My weight was soon back up to 16 and a half stone and my mobility was at an all time low. I even got out of breath pushing myself in my wheelchair and this led to my depression coming back.
"More comfort eating or retail therapy were the ways I was trying to get out of it but both are a very short term fix."
Lisa joined a Mitcheldean Slimming World meeting in October 2007 with a target weight loss of 7st 2lb (100lbs).
Leader Pauline Bent said: "Lisa has been fantastic and helps me in class with the biscuits and the books. If anyone is having a moan she stops them and at our party she was in the middle of the dance floor in her wheelchair – that's the sort of lovely person she is."