A COWDENBEATH woman who spent years stuck in a cycle of losing and regaining the same weight has transformed her health with the help of medication and her local Slimming World group.
Laura Penny joined Slimming World in Cowdenbeath more than five years ago, determined to lose weight and improve her health.
Every Saturday morning she attended group with her mum and, although naturally quiet, she soon became a much-loved member of the group.
While she found Slimming World's Food Optimising eating plan easy to follow during the week, weekends, holidays and social occasions often proved more challenging.
Over time, she found herself repeatedly losing and regaining the same stone, leaving her frustrated and affecting her confidence and wellbeing.
Working in a pharmacy, Laura had seen how weight loss medication was helping some people and, after seeking professional advice, decided it was the right option for her.
Rather than relying on medication alone, she continued attending her Slimming World group every week and followed the healthy eating plan she already knew and enjoyed.
Laura says: "The medication helped support my weight loss, but Slimming World helped me build the healthy habits that I know I can stick to long term.
"The support from my Consultant and everyone in the group has been invaluable.
"Every week I leave feeling motivated and positive, and it reminds me that I'm not doing this on my own."
The combination has helped Laura lose more than four stone so far, while still enjoying holidays, weekends away in the caravan with her fiancé William and nights out with friends.
Her blood pressure has improved, her confidence has soared, and she now regularly attends boot camp sessions and works with a personal trainer.
Cowdenbeath Slimming World Consultant Samantha said: "I'm incredibly proud of Laura.
"Weight loss medication has been part of her journey, but it's her determination and commitment to building healthy habits that have made the difference.
"We're seeing more members choosing to use weight loss medication, and Slimming World is here to support them every step of the way.
"Our dedicated support includes healthy eating guidance, activity support, practical tools and weekly encouragement to help members develop habits that last long after any medication has ended."
Laura's advice is simple: "Everyone's weight-loss journey is their own. It's you against you, not anyone else. You only have one life."
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