BOBBIE-LEIGH Cartwright had set her sights on an army career but, faced with the reality that she was overweight, she launched her own battle - to shed the pounds.

The 17-year-old from Wyke has struggled with her size from a young age. Her mum Karen Bannon, whose daughter inspired her own slimming journey, tells how working shifts and running a family business led to the habit of eating convenience dinners, more often than not loaded with calories.

Karen, who also puts her own weight gain down to stopping smoking, explains how her slimming inspiration came from her daughter.

It was when Bobbie-Leigh was faced with the reality of her size after inquiring about a career in the army that she decided to do something about it.

"I went to the Army Careers, they did a BMI test and said I was overweight to join," recalls Bobbi-Leigh.

Although Bobbie-Leigh had struggled with comments about her size throughout her school life, which led to her becoming self-conscious about her body image, the thought that it may have an impact on her choice of career gave her the impetus to finally do something about it.

"That was the push to help her to lose the weight," recalls Karen.

Karen recalls that she and Bobbie-Leigh often passed banners advertising local Slimming World classes in Wyke and, after Bobbie-Leigh's experience at the careers office, they decided to join in March 2012.

The pair say the warm and supportive welcome they received spurred them on to lose the pounds. Karen tells how she and her daughter have also inspired each other on their journey to slimming success.

"We have little competitions. Each week we would bet against one another," says Karen.

Since joining Slimming World the mother and daughter have both dropped dress sizes. At her heaviest, Karen weighed 13 stone 10 and was wearing size 18 clothing while Bobbie-Leigh weighed 17 stone and was wearing size 22 clothing.

Through overhauling their diets and learning how to cook healthier meals and live a healthier lifestyle, the pair are now celebrating their slimming success.

Karen now weighs 10 stone and can now comfortably fit a size 12, while Bobbie-Leigh has shrunk to 14 stone and is now wearing sizes 12 to 14.

"It is a different way of cooking," says Karen, who has discovered a love of vegetables, while Bobbie-Leigh enjoys making healthy pizzas.

Instead of reaching for a bag of crisps, the pair have also adopted the habit of eating something healthier, such as a piece of fruit. And they have discovered that losing weight is life-changing.

"I suffer from back and hip problems but because I have lost weight I find I can walk further," says Karen.

For Bobbie-Leigh, losing weight has helped boost her confidence and self-esteem. Instead of concealing her size under baggy clothes, she is now wearing pretty dresses and says she feels more 'girly'.

"It has totally changed her life," says proud mum Karen. "She got the Young Slimmer award."

Karen says she enjoys seeing her daughter's face light up when she regularly achieves awards marking substantial weight loss.

Bobbie-Leigh says since joining the group she has gained confidence and has now become more active. "Since I have been going to the group it has made a lot of difference. I'm more active, I go out of the house more," she says.

She adds that she loves being able to buy feminine clothes. "I stuck in tracksuit bottoms and joggers," she says, referring to the loose clothing she preferred to hide her previous shape. "But my clothes are getting more girly."

January is a time when many people make life-changing New Year resolutions, so mum and daughter hope their inspirational story will prompt others who may be contemplating losing weight to follow in their footsteps.

Bobbie-Leigh describes the slimming group as "like a mini family".

"They rally round and when you're down they keep you motivated," she says, referring to the support she and her mum have received through the group run by Gillian Ward.

Bobbie-Leigh is now studying in the sixth form at Bradford's Appleton Academy. She says her interest in an army career stems from her brother, Jason's, interest in joining. In the meantime she has plenty to occupy her time with her studies and she also spends summers fundraising for the West Yorkshire 4x4 volunteers - an organisation set up by an experienced group of 4x4 owners who help transport local and emergency care services during adverse weather conditions.

Gillian Ward, Slimming World Consultant who runs a class at Wyke Methodist Church on Tuesdays says: "They have both continued to support each other every step and set mini targets for the week ahead.

"Both Bobbie and Karen always stay to group meetings and are such valued members. Bobbie has shown such determination and a drive to succeed in all she is challenged with and always empowered herself at school and college to make the wiser choices while with her peers, having lunches and healthier snacks. She was prepared to make these changes to have a positive impact in her future career and was blown away by the comments she received at her school prom night.

"She participates more now, increasing her activity levels, and this is down to her new found confidence.

"They always bring ideas to group and have inspired and motivated others along the way too, as they have both achieved so many awards."

An Army spokesman says: "Having a healthy BMI is not just about losing weight, it’s a commitment to a healthy lifestyle. This is a fantastic achievement and the Army Careers Centre is pleased to have been part of this journey to fitness. Any member of the public who is taking their fitness seriously in the New Year may also wish to download our 100% Army Fit App onto their Smartphone.”

For more about Slimming World call 07887 715820.