'HELPING OTHERS KEPT ME MOTIVATED'

Laura Moore, 36, lives in Birmingham with her partner Amit, 38.

- JULIA SIDWELL, KEVIN DONALD

If you'd asked me a few years ago if I'd ever lose the weight making me uncomfortable, or if I'd run 5km, the answers would have been no. So to achieve both and be helping others to do the same is a dream come true.

It was January 2015 when I stepped into my jeans and watched myself red-faced in the mirror trying to tug them up. After Christmas with its customary indulgence, I wanted to eat better going into the New Year, but cold evenings meant curling up in front of the TV with a packet of biscuits. Then there was my full-fat cola habit - I was drinking up to eight glasses every day.