A determined Southport woman has transformed her life after losing 10st 8lbs – half her body weight – through Slimming World, after initially saying “it was the last place I wanted to go”.
Laura Roche has now been named the Slimming World Woman of the Year 2025 in her group – Slimming World Southport With Dee – and has also achieved her Club 50 Award.
Laura Roche, who attends a Thursday morning Slimming World group run by Consultant Dee Wright, was voted by her fellow members to win the group’s Slimming World Woman of the Year 2025 competition.
Laura’s journey began In September 2023 when she was asked by her work to escort a person to his Slimming World group because his regular carer was on holiday.
Laura said: “The last place I wanted to go that day was Slimming World!
“I’d tried unsuccessfully to lose weight for many years. I sat at the back, trying to blend in with the wall, thinking I would be judged because people had been so cruel to me over my weight in the past.
“I couldn’t have been more wrong. From the minute I walked in the door I was greeted and treated with kindness. That session I watched as someone got to target and it moved me to tears, it was the lightbulb moment I needed.
“Later that week I bought myself a new pair of boots and I couldn’t even get the boots on my feet let alone reach to do them up. I knew something had to change.
“I decided I was going to be brave and give it a go, what did I have to lose except weight!
“I also spoke to a friend and work colleague who also goes to group and she was amazing and so supportive, she said I could sit with her and her sister in law so I wouldn’t be on my own – this was the lifeline I needed and the following week I returned to Dee’s group ready to make a start.”
Since joining, Laura has gone from 20 stone 13lbs to 10 stone 5lbs, losing over half her body weight and achieving Club 50 which is a rare milestone and incredibly inspiring.
Her life has completely changed. She’s healthier, happier and more confident.
Instead of hiding away finding excuses not to go out, she’s socialising more and absolutely loving shopping for new clothes.
Laura said: “I’ve got polycystic ovarian syndrome which is sometimes very hard to cope with.
“Since losing weight my symptoms have reduced and some of them have completely disappeared.
“I’m so proud of what I’ve achieved. I’d never dreamed I could lose weight and achieve my target.
“When I started I was a size 26 and I’m now wearing my dream size 10s.
“Getting my Club 50 award and being voted as Woman of the Year in my group was just amazing and I’m so grateful to my fellow group members and to Dee Wright for their support.”
Slimming World’s healthy eating plan, Food Optimising, has allowed Laura to lose weight without going hungry.
The plan is based on science-backed principles of energy density and satiety, and includes every day, family-friendly foods like pasta, rice, lean meats, fruit and vegetables.
Laura said: “I’m a real food lover, so when Dee explained the plan to me and said I could still eat real food without having to restrict myself, I knew I was in the right place.
“I went away and prepared all my favourite meals like Hunters Chicken from scratch, following recipes on the Slimming World website and app, and popping meals from the food range at Iceland in the freezer for those days when I didn’t have time to cook.
“I couldn’t believe it when I lost 5lbs in my first week. I haven’t been hungry once!
“I’m also now a big fan of Slimming World Kitchen service and order weekly meals for my mum and I, cooking them on my days off.
“I’m really proud to say that my mum has now lost 6 stone in Dee’s Friday morning group.”
As the weeks went by, Laura realised how much the group spurred her on.
She said: “Each week we make plans for the week ahead and talk about any challenges that could get in our way. I love the interaction, encouragement and support, and I get so much strength and so many ideas from the other members, especially those people who’ve reached their target weight as it kept me focused on where I wanted to be.
“Being in Group’s so much fun, I’ve made lots of friends.”
As the weight started to come off Laura started to think about becoming more active. Slimming World’s Body Magic activity programme, encourages members to gradually increase activity at their own pace, in a way that’s realistic and enjoyable.
Laura said: “I knew I wanted to start exercising and when my Consultant spoke about all of the benefits activity would bring, such as feeling stronger and improving my mental health, as well as helping to maintain my weight loss, it was just the motivation I needed. I didn’t want to have to hit the gym every day or start running marathons – so I started with walking my dog Teddy around the block and then built it up gradually to miles.”
Dee, who runs the Slimming World group Laura attends, said: “I’m so proud of Laura and everything she’s achieved. She’s a real inspiration to the whole group and my other two groups.
Her commitment, positivity, and support for others make her a truly deserving winner.
We’re a close-knit group who celebrate each other’s success every week, and she really does show just how life-changing losing weight with Slimming World can be.
“Her Club 50 award is a true testament to her strength and commitment and how life changing and life saving her journey has been.
“In my eight and a half years as a consultant, this is the third time I’ve presented this award and each time it’s a powerful and emotional moment because results like this are impossible without support, and that also makes me incredibly proud of every member in the group who played a part in this too.”
Slimming World’s community-based support plays a vital role in its members’ success. Weekly group sessions ensure members get the best start to their week with group discussion, helpful tips, and motivation from others on the same journey.
Slimming World Southport with Dee is held every Thursday morning, evening and Friday morning with seven sessions offering times for everyone at St Simon and St Jude’s Church on Old Park Lane in Southport, PR9 7BQ.
New members are always welcome. You can call Dee on 07711 566153 or check out Slimming World Southport with Dee on Facebook or sw_southport_dee on Instagram.
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