A TEENAGER who has overcome bullying has now won a Young Slimmer of the Year award after shedding nearly five stone.

Tamara Nemeth, who is known as “Mara”, has lost four stone and nine pounds after deciding to embark on a diet which saw her cut down on portion sizes and eat more fruit and vegetables.

The 17-year-old, who lives with her mum Angela Goodchild, in Chopin Road, Brighton Hill, Basingstoke, weighed just over 22st in January last year, and the weight loss has seen the teenager drop five dress sizes to a size 16.

Mara decided to shed the pounds after suffering years of bullying, which started in 2008 and saw the teenager attend three different schools before moving to Broadoaks, an educational establishment for young people with behavioural difficulties.

But with help from the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS), and a confidence boost from her weight loss, Mara has begun to overcome her social anxiety and hopes to attend Basingstoke College of Technology in September to study a “Directions” course.

Mara – who has been crowned Young Slimmer of the Year by her local Slimming World branch – told The Gazette: “I am really happy. The first couple of months were tough, but as the weight came off, I was more motiva-ted to keep going.

“Before, I didn’t eat much fruit and vegetables and now I need to find something to fill me up, so I eat fruit for breakfast. I drink lots of water – I go through three bottles a day.”

Mara is determined to keep her healthy eating regime going. She said: “I am still going to keep going because I need to get the weight off, and I will keep going until I am happy.”

Mara’s mum Angela, who has also lost more than two stone, added: “I am very proud of her. I have had to buy her a new wardrobe.”