In this column on Alsager Nub News, Alsager Slimming World member, 23-year-old Laura Whittaker has shared her incredible weight loss journey over last 18 months. Congratulations!

In July 2019, the month I started Slimming World, Alsager with Linsey. That day I decided to make a change which I can now honestly say has changed my life.

My little boy was 14 months old at the time and looking back now it's not just the best thing I could have ever done for myself; it is the best start in life I could ever give him too.

It took me a year to lose over five stone and get to my target weight.

I have had to build up a whole new wardrobe which feels amazing and I food optimize without even thinking anymore which is great.

My food shopping has changed completely, and I have discovered it's not about how much you eat but more about what you eat and making better choices.

Before I started Slimming World, I will happily admit my cooking skills were not the best, I would be the first one to choose a pasta bake from the chilled isle or a packet sauce for quickness, but Slimming World has completely changed that for me - I have even been the one cooking Christmas dinners for the past two years!

My snack cupboards have completely changed too, admittedly I do still have a chocolate stash but one of the best things about Slimming World is that I can keep my chocolate stash and if it fits in with my plan for the day, I can have a treat with my feet up on an evening and not feel guilty about it, knowing I have food optimised 100% and stuck to plan.

I will still see a loss on the scales that week.

One of the nicest parts about going to group is that we all have one aim, we all have one end goal and everyone personal goal is different, but we are striving to achieve it together.

The support from group is amazing. We share meal ideas for the week, new recipes we have tried and that is one thing that kept me going throughout my journey.

Knowing each week, I was going to group to weigh and I wanted to see a loss on those scales every week made me more determined to stick to plan and keep going.

Trying new recipes shared in group means every week is different, you are never eating the same food every week and there is always something new to try.

This is another reason why I kept going, because no day is ever the same.

I would definitely say my top tip if you are either on your Slimming World journey or looking to join is to try something new every week, try a new recipe or maybe a new form of body magic.

Challenge yourself and make healthier swaps or even something simple like meal planning ready for the week ahead.

There are loads of ways to try something new, and you never know you might love it!

Slimming World has changed my life and I look back every day and thank myself for walking through the doors back in July 2019.

For more details about Linsey Alsager's Slimming World current online group call 07786681693.