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Battle of bulge ends in bliss fo wedded Paula

Gareth Parker
21/ 9/2005

A BLUSHING bride was determined that her wedding would be the biggest day of her life, in all aspects but one.

In just ten months Paula Noon lost six stone to walk up the aisle with fiance, Dave Kevlin, a slip of her former self.

The new Mrs Kevlin, who dropped from a size 26 down to a 16, said the wedding at the Birch Hotel was the best day of her life, which was made all the more special by her weight loss.

"When I was a size 26 I didn't feel any less fit, as I still used to keep myself active. But it's just nicer to look in the mirror now.

"Everyone said how great I looked in my wedding dress, which I luckily didn't order until I'd lost most of the weight."

Paula's battle of the bulge began last November, when a couple of mates and her forklift truck driving fiance encouraged her to join Heywood's Slimming World diet club.

At the time pizza, chippy teas and large bottles of cola were all on the menu for the 30-year-old from Hartford Close.

But with a little help and guidance from Marie Holmes, who runs the Heywood classes, the administration assistant was soon eating more healthily.

"The hardest part was when me and Dave used to go out for meals with friends. They were all tucking into steak and chips, while I had to be good," said Paula, who admitted to putting on a couple of pounds during her Singapore honeymoon.

Marie said she was made up for Paula.

"Since she joined us I have seen her change from a quiet member to one of the most chatty, confident ones. She is an inspiration to us all."