I am always interested to hear of any wonderful weight-loss stories, if only for the tips on what it took to achieve success.

Like so many women in their 40s I am finding it increasingly difficult to keep myself slim and trim. Where there used to be a waist there is now a hint of middle-aged spread'. Skin begins to lose its elasticity and slip slowly downwards.

TV is full of nip and tuck' style programmes, ever increasing our desire for perfection, but it is surely not necessary, in most cases, to go under the knife' to keep yourself a healthy weight.

I truly admire those who, finding themselves overweight, decide to do something about it, to make healthy lifestyle changes that will ensure long lasting health and fitness at their ideal weight.

Stephanie Holliday, of Lindale, is one such person, having lost two-and-a-half stone.

"I needed to buy a special outfit for my niece's wedding, and it was while trying on the clothes that I realised I needed to lose at least two stone to get into anything that I really liked." Stephanie says that up to this point she had tried to ignore what was now very obvious to her, that unless she did something about her weight, she would just carry on piling on the pounds.

Stephanie says: "I had regularly seen an advert for Slimming World in The Westmorland Gazette but, as I'd tried various diets, and none of them had worked for long, I'd discounted trying again." This time, with her niece's wedding coming up, Stephanie decided to do something.

"I went along to the class, it was a really hard thing for me to do as I didn't know anyone there and I was feeling pretty low. Everyone was really friendly and welcoming and pretty soon I felt much better. Ann, the consultant, went through food optimising' and I couldn't believe the amount of food she seemed to expect me to eat! Plus, I discovered I could also have treats like chocolate, wine and the Slimming World chips. My favourite foods are still egg and bacon butties and spaghetti bolognaise and, living in Lindale near to the Lindale Inn, I can still enjoy meeting up with my friends for a drink. The amazing thing is that on this eating plan no food or drink is actually banned, so you can still have a good social life."

Since losing 2.5 stone with Slimmers World, Stephanie says she has never felt hungry. She has bought a lot of new clothes including the outfit for the wedding, and has also had a lot of fun at the classes.

Her experience has proved so good that she has now completed her training as a Slimmers World consultant. Stephanie will be running classes at The Kelsick Centre, St Mary's Lane, Ambleside, on Mondays at 6.30pm.

For more information you can call Stephanie Holliday on 015395-35197.