WITH a striong support network one of the key factors to successful weight loss, mother and daughter Sandra Lusty and Trevalene Nelson decided to keep it in the family.

And 63-year-old Sandra is inspiring an older generation of slimmers to change their ways with modern dishes and exercise.

Sandra and Trevalene joined Slimming World’s Gorse Hil meeting last October, with the aim of dropping the pounds.

Now, less than 12 whole months later, they have lost a combined weight of 12st 7lbs.

Sandra said: “In a way I went to support Trevalene, although I did diet a few years ago the weight had crept up and I’d never been as big as I was.

“I’ve kept it simple. I have always been a veg eater, my husband grows quite a bit of veg in our garden and I like to eat the cooking apples from our tree.

“I do stir frys with Spray Light - I don’t use fat any more at all for cooking. I get inspiration from the girls in the class, when we have monthly taster classes and you find something you like you can ask for the recipe.”

But Sandra is keen to stress the diet is not bland, and she’s even tried a “ quite tasty” cake made with Weetabix.

With her daughter reaching the 5st 7lbs mark last week, Sandra is proud of Trevalene’s efforts.

“She has been through it, about six or seven years ago, we thought we would loose her. The doctors didn’t know what was wrong and she ended up in hospital, which what they eventually thought was rheumatic flu,” said Sandra, of Gorse Hill.

“I found out I had osteoarthritis and the doctor said it would help to loose weight, and I made all the excuses we all make. Trevalene has problems with her knee too, and the dieting does help with that.

“I think when you are doing the right thing it helps your conscience as well as your body, rather than just sitting back not thinking about it.”

Slimming World consultant Sam Grant, who has supported the pair, said Sandra has proven to be an inspirational member of the group - motivating a group of over 60s to exercise each week.

She has turned around her life so far, that her husband has even dusted off the bike she rode with Trevalene in a baby basket more than 30 years ago.

Sam said: “In the Gorse Hill class I have about 15 to 20 senior citizens and they do get a bit stuck in their ways.

“Sandra has so much to offer others in the class - she sticks two fingers up to the myth that you can’t loose weight when you are getting older.

“She is an inspiration to the other older ladies, getting them thinking: ‘Maybe I should try these stir frys’. She even has an army of people from the group going swimming on Tuesdays now.”