FORMER chocoholic Amanda Bennett has slimmed from size 22 to size 12 and her friends and family hardly recognise her.

It took 16 months for the 49-year-old to drop 6st 1lb from 15st 9½lb to 9st 8½lb, which she reached in mid May.

The part-time personal assistant, from Seaton, decided to do something about her weight after struggling to get into an outfit on her silver wedding anniversary.

"I had nothing to wear," said Amanda. "It's very difficult to get clothes that fit you when you're big. Big clothes are usually for taller people and I'm only 5ft 1in.

"I thought, '25 years ago I was 6st 7lb lighter'. I thought that was terrible and it really hit home. I'd let myself go and I was quite ashamed of myself."

So Amanda signed up for Lisa Gorman's WeightWatchers sessions in Axminster and did whatever she was told to do.

One of the most important changes was cutting down on chocolate. "I was never a massive eater but my biggest downfall was chocolate," confessed Amanda. "I would sit in front of the television and eat a massive bar every single evening, and without any movement weight piled on."

But she hasn't eliminated chocolate from her diet completely. "I wouldn't have stuck to a diet if I couldn't have it at all," she admitted. "Now, I hardly eat any chocolate, but I know I can have some if I want it."

It wasn't very easy for Amanda, but she said: "Losing weight and going down a dress size gives you a bigger high than chocolate."

She also cut down on biscuits and Danish pastries, but it was only chocolate that was "out of control".

Her cooking methods have also been adapted. "I don't put any fat on roast potatoes any more and they're perfectly okay," said Amanda. "Compromise is the word. It's about doing things differently."

Amanda moved to Devon from the Midlands 17 years ago. "I was very busy there, but here the pace of life is slower," she said. "I put on half a stone every year because of the wonderful living."

After joining WeightWatchers, the mother of two gradually started building up the amount of walking she did each day.

"At the beginning, 100 metres and I would've been out of puff," she said. "I walk about five miles a day now, and do a couple of exercise DVDs a week."

She is now out and about "all the time", whereas she used to dread the summer months. "Going out in the heat of summer is a killer when you're big," said Amanda. "In winter, you think people can't see how big you are in coats and lots of layers. It's marvellous."

Amanda is quite happy with her weight now but would like to lose another few pounds. When she joined WeightWatchers, she just wanted to be slimmer than she was. Size 12 seemed so far away, she needed much smaller goals.

"It's fantastic to be size 12," said Amanda. "I can walk into a shop and know they will have my size."

Amanda is also boosted by other people's reactions. Her son, 26, and daughter, 24, are very proud of her. "My husband can't get over it. He stands and stares at me," added Amanda. "I'd probably lost 5st before I saw my sister and she stood there with her mouth open."

Amanda had never stuck to a diet for more than about three weeks on her own, and attributed her weight loss to the support she got from WeightWatchers as well as starting to see progress, which spurred her on.

"I'd encourage anyone to try a slimming group," said Amanda. "I didn't go with anyone to WeightWatchers but they're so friendly. I'm still going to go along. It will keep me on the right track.

"If you hit a brick wall, the group always gives you an idea you hadn't thought of, like eating more for breakfast and less for tea. It makes a difference and gets you started again."

Details: 0845 3451500 or visit www.weightwatchers.co.uk.