A SELF-proclaimed “food junkie” has set herself the challenge of losing almost half her body weight – while gaining pounds – for a military charity.

Tanya Coad, of York Road, Carterton, has swapped chocolate bars and crisps for healthy snacks and lots of exercise in readiness for her 12-month challenge.

Currently weighing 21st (134kg) – dress size 24 – Mrs Coad, 42, wants to lose 10st (64kg) so that she can squeeze back into the size 12 dresses that she wore in her 20s.

And the married mother-of-one, who works for West Berkshire District Council, has asked friends and family to sponsor her to raise as much money as possible for military charity Help for Heroes, which supports injured servicemen and women.

She said: “I have tried many times to lose the weight but have struggled with the notion of the attention being on me, and the idea of losing the weight for myself.

“As it’s such a big weight loss over a period of time, you can lose motivation but this time the focus is on the fact that I want to do it for my chosen charity.

“I am quite passionate about Help for Heroes, so that is what will keep me going.”

The charity is particularly close to her heart as her husband Nick, 41, works at RAF Brize Norton.

Mrs Coad, who will have to consistenly lose 2-3lbs a week, started piling on the weightgiving birth to son Jack 15 years ago.

He was born with a cleft lip and palate, and spent a lot of time in hospital, undergoing a series of operations. During that time, Mrs Coad said, she began comfort eating.

She added: “I turned to food and it has become a very big addiction for me. I am a food junkie.

“I comfort eat and emotionally eat. But this challenge is about turning those negative experiences that have led me to eating, and turning them into something positive.

“I have tried Weight Watchers, and Slimming World, but it has not helped.

“I don’t think it is the diets that are not working for me, but my motivation.”

Mrs Coad has cut out all sugary and fatty treats and is sticking to eating healthy meals. She also exercises regularly and weighs herself once a week.