A mum who has lost six and a half stone says she is no longer worried about trying on wedding dresses.

Mother-of-one Becky Brooke, 33, from Halifax, lost 87lbs with Slimming World and says losing the weight helped her conceive her second child.

She is now looking forward to getting married to partner Joe Gray in 2023 and is no longer terrified of how she will look in a wedding dress.

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Becky, who had been unhappy with her weight for many years, had tried to convince herself that "this size was just me."

"Before joining Slimming World, I never really thought about what I ate, the amount or whether it was good or bad," said Becky.

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"Now I just choose the 'free foods' first and so many are tasty, there are so many healthier alternatives.

"It has made me more aware of the unhealthy choices I made before."

So-called 'free foods' include a wide range of foods such as fruit, veg, pasta, rice, potatoes, pulses, lean meat, fish and poultry, which Slimming World members can eat until they feel full.

Becky, who is originally from Queensbury and works in the village as a teaching assistant, said: "It’s been great finding and making new recipes, and they are meals my partner and my son enjoy too.

"I enjoy finding healthier alternatives for my favourite foods, and I try to make one new meal each week; but I do have my favourites such as naked beef burrito, diet cola chicken, harissa sea bass, chicken paella and cajun chicken kebabs."

Becky Brooke, from Halifax, has lost more than six stones with Slimming World

She added: "Since I started my weight loss journey, the biggest challenge for me is learning to love myself again. I realised that even though I’ve done so well that I’m very critical of myself.

"I also have struggled from time to time to fight the cravings for chocolate, but with the help and support of my group I have found healthier alternatives to keep me going."

Becky has lost six and a half stone and she is loving that she can now buy clothes 'off the peg'.

"I’m more confident to do things I had stopped doing and go to places I wouldn’t go before, as I had developed anxiety."

Becky Brooke with partner Joe and son Elliott, eight

She now enjoys family walks and her health has improved.

"The winter before I joined Slimming World I had pneumonia a couple of times, but I didn’t suffer at all this winter.

"My physical health has improved lots and with the added worry of coronavirus, I feel I am in a better position to fight the virus.

"As well as my physical health, my mental health was constantly tested too.

"I would think about my weight in a negative way throughout the day. I thought it seemed impossible that I could lead a happy, healthy life but I’ve lost 87lbs in 35 weeks - even during Covid lockdown.

"My BMI has gone down by 13.5 and I’ve lost 45 inches all round.

"I’m happier, healthier and more confident. The added bonus is I no longer have wedding dress anxiety and I am actually looking forward to going shopping.

"And I’m over the moon to say that losing the weight has helped me to conceive my second child.

Becky Brooke, from Halifax, who lost more than six stone with Slimming World

"I am able to follow the plan safely whilst pregnant as it is endorsed by the Royal College of Midwives."

Julie Sharples, Becky’s consultant at the Lindley Slimming World group in Huddersfield, said: "I’m really proud of Becky because, not only did she take the brave step to join our group during lockdown, she has put her heart and soul into following the Slimming World plan and making it fit not only into her life but that of her family too.

"She is a fab support to other members including the friend who encouraged her to join.

"Becky loves finding new recipes to try and shares her discoveries with others in group and online.

"She is our inspirational Greatest Loser for 2021 having lost six and a half stones to date.

"I’m excited she’s continuing her journey through her pregnancy - we love a Slimming World baby and I look forward to seeing her get all the way to target."