Nicola Ellery from New Mill lost nearly 10 stones to become the slender, healthy, mother-of-two that she is today.

This will be her second Christmas as a slimmer – and she’s determined not to allow the festive season to sabotage her changed lifestyle.

“In the past I would buy a tin of Roses for Christmas and sit eating them in front of the television until they were all gone,’’ she said.

“Then I’d have to go out and buy another one.

“I had no willpower at all. I have learned the hard way that you can have everything, but only in moderation.”

Nicola, 40, joined the Slimming World class in Holmfirth 20 months ago weighing in at 19stones 6lbs. She was suffering from repeated chest infections, aches, pains and heartburn. Her cholesterol levels and blood pressure were both high.

As well as changing her diet – out with the pies, cheeses and other savouries that were her downfall – Nicola began walking the hills around Holmfirth with friends and the family dog.

“I will be going out for a long walk with the dog on Christmas Day for at least an hour,” she said. “Exercise is really important.”

Using a ‘syn’ count, Nicola works out what she can have and allows for little treats like the occasional chocolate.

“But I’ll stock up with things like fat free yoghurts,’’ she added. “The toffee and vanilla flavoured ones with chocolate sprinkles satisfy a sweet tooth.

“My other advice would be to drink low fat hot chocolate drinks and to eat before you go shopping to avoid filling your trolley with things you don’t really need. Sugar-free chewing gum is also a good thing to have in to stop you from eating.

“People tend to eat from boredom or snack while they are sitting watching television. That’s when it’s good to get out for a walk.

“They also overeat because they don’t stop when they’re full. I used to eat until I was absolutely stuffed, but now I stop when I start to feel full.”

She added: “I’ll be having a Christmas dinner like everyone else, but I’ll be having loads of vegetables and I’ll be roasting my potatoes in Fry Lite. It’s all about getting the balance right.”

Nicola, whose health problems have all resolved since losing weight, is now an inspiration to others and was voted West Yorkshire’s Slimming World Woman of the Year.

Charlotte Ryman, a supermarket assistant manager from Kirkburton, will be celebrating her fifth Christmas as a slimmer and says she has no desire to go back to being a size 26.

Today, the 38-year-old is a slender size 12 and six stones lighter than she was when she joined a Weight Watchers group back in 2005.

Charlotte is now a helper at the group, weighing-in other members and inspiring them with her story.

What Charlotte proves to those struggling with their weight is that it is not just possible to shed the stones, it’s also possible to stay slim.

“I know I will always have a weight problem and I have to be careful about what I eat, but I never want to go back to what I was,” she said.

Charlotte, who has two children, says her weight really rocketed after giving birth to her second child six years ago.

When she joined the slimming club she had just one aim – to get down to a size 16, an aim that she has now surpassed.

Her weakness was comfort food and stodge so the winter months and Christmas in particular were a time of indulgence.

“But to be quite honest I ate too much all year round.”

Having learned what foods she can eat and what she can’t, Charlotte is now something of an expert on avoiding weight gain at Christmas.

“I will let myself go a little and have a bit of what I fancy, but too much indulgent food is the slippery slope and it leads to you wanting more,” she said.

Christmas dinner will be loaded with vegetables and for dessert Charlotte plans to make a low-fat Pavlova instead of the traditional pudding.

“I will also buy some miniature dark chocolates and when I want something chocolaty I’ll have a couple and that will be enough,’’ she added. “Milk chocolate is less satisfying.”

One of the dietary dangers of Christmas is eating out, but Charlotte has the answer.

“I’m going to a party on Boxing Day, so I’ll take some low-fat houmous with me and some chopped raw vegetables – carrots and peppers. My friends all know by now that I need to be careful.

“If we go to a restaurant I’ll have something light to eat beforehand so that I don’t over-indulge.”