text: A size 24 woman who spent years gorging on discounted snacks on the supermarket she works at has lost seven stone after ditching the habit. Leanne Kenny, 23, from Northwich, Cheshire, reached almost 20 stone after repeatedly taking home end-of-the-line discounted junk food. The supermarket worker would snack on bumper bars of chocolate, baked goods and fizzy drinks going cheap because of their sell-by dates. Leanne Kenny ballooned to almost 20st after snacking on leftover goods at her place of work, but after ditching the snacks Leanne has lost 7st and now weighs in at 13st . It wasn't until she broke down in a shop changing room when she couldn't squeeze into their largest dress that she finally resolved to lose weight and cut out her unhealthy post-work snacks. Following her strict diet and fitness regime Leanne has shed seven stone and has shrunk down to 13 stone. Leanne says that she had always struggled with her weight but the real problem began after starting her job in the Co-op. Leanne worked as a check out girl at the Co-op and would snack on discounted products every day . Leanne says that she had always struggled with her weight and was teased when she was in school . Leanne says her break through moment came when she was unable to fit into the largest size in a store . 'Even as a child, I was the biggest one among my friends but my weight really became a problem when I started my supermarket job and couldn't resist the discounted treats,' she said. 'I would get teased at high school but I put on such a confident front, laughing off the hurtful comments and plastering myself in makeup just to make myself feel better.' By the age of 16, Leanne was already a size 20 and felt too embarrassed to go out with her friends so she swapped nights out with staying in wearing sweat pants and drinking fizzy drinks. Leanne started her job as a team leader at Co-op in 2010, aged 19, and she began piling on the pounds. By December 2013, she weighed 19st 3lb and went shopping for a new dress but broke down in tears when she couldn't fit into the store's size 24. Leanne said: 'When I started working at Co-op, I found out that lots of food was discounted at the end of the shift. Leanne joined Weight Watchers and took up walking in a bid to shed the weight . 'I couldn't resist the temptation. I would tell myself that I was bringing it home so that the food wouldn't be wasted or would share it between my family but to be honest I would bring home food anyway whether it was cheap or not and it would all be for me.' Aware that she was gaining weight Leanne attempted some weight-loss regimes but she would quickly give up. 'As my weight increased, I did try some diets but I just couldn't stick with any of them. I'd get hungry at work and then couldn't resist the delicious snacks that were on offer. 'My weight soared but I ignored it until I couldn't any longer - and couldn't even fit into a size 24. Leanne, now a size 14, plans to drop a further dress size by the summer. Pictured here in her old work uniform . 'It was the dress incident where something finally clicked in my head. Instead of coming home with a beautiful brand new dress I had to order a frumpy one online from a plus-sized store - I was mortified.' It was this light-bulb moment that finally saw Leanne make a dramatic change to her lifestyle. 'A week later I signed up to my local Weight Watchers. I immediately cut out bread and sugar and focused on walking. Within six months I got into the swing of it and would walk every day - and managed to lose four stone. 'Instead of stocking up on cakes, chocolate and crisps, I opted for fruit, veg and other healthy snacks instead. And I've never felt better.' Leanne says that one of her proudest moments came when she visited a department store and was able to try on clothes. Leanne credits her boyfriend Dan (pictured with her before weight loss) for keeping her motivated . 'I went to Debenhams in April and managed to fit into a pair of size 18 trousers. This time I cried tears of happiness - it was a long way from the last time I was in a high street changing room.' Leanne says that ditching her habit for after work snacks had been tricky but she had found something else to take home instead. 'The hardest thing has been stopping myself taking treats home from work, but I persevered and now take home fruit or vegetables.' Now Leanne is down to a size 14 and regularly visits the gym, running every night and visiting four times a week. She credits her boyfriend of four years Daniel Tittensor for keeping her motivated throughout her weight loss and aims to lose another stone to reach her goal of being a size 12 by the summer. 'In December 2014, I wore a size 14 dress which was a dream come true,' said Leanne. 'It made all the hard work worthwhile. The past year had been the hardest of my life, forcing myself to resist temptations, but now I can finally have bread and chocolate although in moderation.' Leanne added: 'I never thought I would be able to do it. All it takes is a heck of a lot of willpower and dedication. I've kept an old dress and pair of trousers to remind me of how big I once was. I can fit both of my legs in one leg of my old trousers now! 'I have never felt so good and for once I can look in the mirror and feel happy at what I see - no more discounted goods for me.'
target: Leanne Kenny reached 20st after starting work as a check out girl .
  She would take reduced products home and snack on them each night .
  She has since joined Weight Watchers losing 7st and ten dress sizes .