A BARRY mum has felt the benefits of signing up to a Barry Communities First Foodwise course by losing a staggering five and a half stone.

Joy Casado achieved the incredible feat in nine months after signing up for the course and the inspiration behind the loss was her two year old daughter.

Joy signed up to the Vale of Glamorgan Council led Barry Communities First course after suffering with breathing difficulties due to her weight and finding she couldn't keep up with her young daughter.

Her diet before the course included constant snacking on chocolate, biscuits, regular baguettes in addition to drinking full fat milk with her coffee. Now she no longer skips breakfast and a typical day will now include pancakes, fruit, chicken, salad and semi-skimmed milk.

Speaking about the her experience, Joy said “Without Foodwise and Hazel James, who runs the course, I would have given up after I’d lost half a stone. This group is very friendly and you receive a lot of support from not just Hazel but also the members. In addition to this Hazel has given me the confidence to go into the gym and I can’t thank her enough”.

Joy follows the success of previous Foodwise participant Mark Rees who lost seven stone, he is now planning to become a personal trainer and will be running the Cardiff half marathon.

Hazel James Community Wellbeing Coach for Barry Communities First said “The members of the group are really dedicated. Not only have they made amazing progress in losing weight, they have also helped the other members of the group to succeed. It really is an amazing part of my job to see people being so successful and also make some life-long friends within the groups.”

Two new courses start this October and both run for eight weeks. One course runs every Monday at the YMCA Hub on Court Road from 10am until noon from October 12. Free creche facilities are available.

The next course runs every Tuesday at Barry Leisure Centre starting October 13 from 11am until 1.15pm. This session also includes a non-compulsory aerobics/urban rebounding session.

For more information on this course or to book a place please call 01446 709432 or email communitiesfirst@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk.