A PORTHMADOG mother has spoken out over the health benefits of losing weight and how it helped increase her fertility.

Kristy Faulkner, 26, and her friend Ceri Jones, 31, both lost 10 per cent of their body weight after starting a diet together and, within a year of each other, they both became pregnant with little boys.

Since joining Slimming World in 2014 Kristy, who weighed 12 stone 3 lbs, has lost 2 stone 3 lbs and Ceri, who weighed 12 stone 13 lbs, has lost 3 stone 7 lbs.

Kristy, who is a consultant at Pwllheli’s Slimming World group, said she decided to lose weight when she heard of the health benefits surrounding fertility as well as wanting to change her eating habits.

She said: “Food optimising has really changed my life, I can still enjoy the naughty treats by using alternatives and no food is forbidden.

“The way I now eat has changed forever.”

Kristy and her fiancé, Dave, welcomed their new baby boy, Tommy, two months ago, and she is proud to reveal she has managed to steer clear of any cravings and stuck to healthy eating throughout her pregnancy.

She added: “Sticking to a healthy diet was not only beneficial to me but also my unborn son.

“Me and Ceri, who is a Slimming World consultant in Porthmadog, would really like to let the community know that Slimming World and pregnancy really do go hand in hand for a happy healthy mum and baby.

“Losing weight really does give you those extra health benefits and can give you increased fertility.

“We both reached our target weights after having our babies and as pre mums we were a size 14, but we fitted straight into a size 10 when we came out of hospital!

“It also helped that Slimming World works in connection with the Royal College of Midwives so the plan is extremely safe for pregnant and breastfeeding women.”