Bride drops nine stone after failing to fit into rollercoaster

A bride-to-be who shed more than half her original 19 stone weight after being ashamed that she could not fit into a rollercoaster seat has won a slimming award.

Slimming World's 'Miss Slinky' Jennifer Ginley with her fiancé Luke Hagan before when she weighed 19 stone and after when she lost 9 stone 9lbs. Picture: SWNS

Liverpool-based Jennifer Ginley, 26, dropped 9st 9lbs and nine dress sizes, bagged a proposal from Luke Hagen, 27, her boyfriend of 11 years, and has been named Slimming World’s Miss Slinky 2017.

She said: “I might be half the size but I feel like I’m double the person now. I know I have the strength and the willpower to achieve anything I put my mind to, and that’s a really powerful feeling.”

The dramatic transformation took place after Ms Ginley, a Citizens Advice caseworker, joined Slimming World in May 2015.

Bfore picture from Slimming World magazine of Jennifer Ginley, 26, from Liverpool. Picture: Slimming World/PA Wire

She said: “When I found myself buying size-26 clothes for the holiday I’d been looking forward to for so long, I knew something had to change.

“I had to ask for a seatbelt extender on the plane, I spent our time there having to ride on the adjusted seats for larger people and I was horrified when I saw the photos.

“One picture of me with the Little Mermaid - my favourite Disney character - actually made me gasp. I saw myself in a whole new light - I looked so unhealthy that I cried, wondering how and why I had done that to myself.”

Before hitting her target weight at Christmas she had been discouraging her boyfriend from popping the question, saying: “I couldn’t imagine myself as a bride being the size I was.”

Slimming World's 'Miss Slinky' Jennifer Ginley at the Ritzy Hotel, Central London. Picture: SWNS

Now she is preparing to go down the aisle.

She said: “It was such an incredible feeling to be able to say ‘Yes!’ without even a second thought about my weight, and I can’t wait to go dress shopping.”

The 5ft 5in Ms Ginley, who dropped from 19st 4lbs to 9st 9lbs and from a dress size 24/26 to an 8/10, has swapped takeaways and junk food for fresh and home-made dishes.

There is porridge and fruit for breakfast and salads or home-made soup which she takes to work. She has also joined a gym.

Bfore picture from Slimming World magazine of Jennifer Ginley, 26, from Liverpool. Picture: Slimming World/PA Wire

She is set to appear on the cover of the March/April 2017 issue of Slimming World magazine.

She said: “During my weight-loss journey, I’d visualise myself at target and on the cover of the magazine, inspiring other slimmers with my success.

“I even superimposed a photo of my face onto a magazine cover and stuck it on my bedroom wall! Recently, I’ve also had surgery to remove some loose skin on my tummy, which has given me an extra boost of confidence.

“I feel like I’m a butterfly, emerging from my cocoon. Best of all, I finally believe myself when I say ‘I am going to...’ across all aspects of my life.”