An Enfield woman has won a leadership award for helping people in the area shed nearly 300 stone this year.

Theodora Kyriacou from Palmers Green was given the leader of the year award 2013 for the North London region. after helping many who made New Year’s resolutions to lose weight last year burn almost 4,000lb.

The 47-year-old, who has been working with Weight Watchers for 12 years, has been running a drop-in session every Saturday so those who are trying to lose weight can talk about their progress.

She said: “People have this image of the session being a motivational speech for those trying to shed the pounds but it’s nothing of the sort. We have a sit-down chat about how everything is going and give advice.”

One of her most successful attendees in the past two years has been Elodie Sorrentino, of Palmers Green.

Since joining in October 2011, she has managed to nearly eleven stone and believes that it has completely changed her life.

She said: “It’s amazing to think how different my life is now. It isn’t like rediscovering your life; it feels like a whole new life as I enjoy things now that I’ve never really done before, like clothes shopping, cooking and sport.

“My confidence has improved a huge amount. At work I’m more likely to speak up and make my point, whereas before I might have been content to stay in the background.

“I’ve learnt how to make smart choices and to do what’s right for me, rather than what other people might want me to do. I wouldn’t have got this far without Weight Watchers and everything in my life is looking up now.”

She added: “I was so shocked; I’ve never won this award. But the best part of the job is seeing the improvement everybody makes and you see people’s confidence grow as they lose the weight, it’s why I do the job.”