A WEE COUNTY gran who put on weight following a series of personal tragedies has fought back to drop two dress sizes in time for her birthday.

Christine Gray lost 28 lbs and dropped two dress sizes with Weight Watchers (WW) in time for her 65th birthday.

A host of tragedies struck Christine’s family when she sadly lost her husband, her mum suffered a stroke and the following year her brother passed away.

Christine, who worked at Forth Valley College in Alloa for 40 years, is now her mum's full time carer following the sad events and told the Advertiser she ballooned in size due to comfort eating.

She said: “You can lose yourself and turn to food for comfort when times are difficult, for me I developed a really sweet tooth. My weight just kept creeping up, I was fed up not feeling like me anymore.

“My health was starting to suffer as I had terrible heartburn which I am sure was a direct result of my lifestyle at the time and the doctor had advised me to lose weight. My best friend had joined WW and she told me how great WW is and how easy it is to follow so I joined online.

“Within a few days of starting the plan I had lost 5lbs, I couldn’t believe it. I decided to go along with my friend to Moira’s 10am workshop on Saturday mornings in Alloa.”

It was at this workshop Christine found a community and a sense of belonging, she said: “Moira is so lovely as are the team and other members, there is so much support and everyone wants you to succeed.

“I now go along with two close friends and we all support each other. When I got to my goal weight, in just six months of joining I might add, there were a few tears and not all mine.”

Christine has regained her confidence in all areas and likes to keep herself active and said: “I have so much more energy and enjoy getting out in the garden, washing the car myself instead of getting somebody to do it for me and taking my grandchildren to the park or just playing with them”

The grandmother urged anyone considering changing their life to just do it, she said: “It is so easy and simple to follow, it is an emotional journey but totally worth it.

“It has transformed me inside and out, I am no longer on tablets for heartburn, I love going shopping for clothes and I had the new-found confidence to change my look to a blonde crop - some of my friends didn’t even recognise me.”