A sports lecturer has been named Online Slimmer Of The Year after shedding nine stone because she was too embarrassed to teach students about the human body when she weighed 20 stone.

Alison Purvis-Gisborne, a lecturer at Sheffield Hallam University, lectured undergraduates on how the human body responds to exercise. The 36-year-old lost nearly half her body weight in just 14 months and has now been named Online Slimmer of the Year 2012 by diet and fitness guru Rosemary Conley.

The sports physiology lecturer from Dronfield, Derbyshire told the Sheffield Star she finally decided to take action because of frighteningly high blood pressure.

“Weighing 20 stone and lecturing others on exercise made me feel embarrassed,” said Alison.

“I was horrified to discover how high my blood pressure was and realised I had to change to protect my health before it was too late.

Alison used to wear a dress size 24 but now wears a dress size 12.

“My blood pressure is now at a healthy level but the biggest reward is knowing I now practise what I preach to my students, who now tell me how fantastic I look.”