Mark Jackson, 35, is a married family man from Congleton. After joining his local Slimming World group with wife Cerrie, Mark has gone on to lose a life-changing 6 stone 8.5lb so far on his journey.

He may have not his personal achievement target quite yet, but Mark has already seen incredible benefits to his physical health and daily mobility going from a size 3xl, now an xl.

Mark said: "The final straw that made me decide to join Slimming World was not being able to tie my own shoes or get them on and off without help.

"Seeing years of disappointment in my children's eyes when I was too tired and physically unable to play with them was something I didn't want to continue any longer.

"I had constant back ache, really low mobility and I was always tired and irritable.

"I've learnt to look at food in a different way through following Slimming World's Extra Easy Food Optimising plan and now enjoy foods that I wouldn't have even put onto my plate before, which I never imagined I'd say, but a new flavour really does shine through when you start to make healthier changes - I definitely never expected that.

"My wife Cerrie has been my absolute rock throughout my weight loss journey. I can't recommend enough slimming together, whether that be with your friends, family or work colleagues. Having that extra support has been so valuable.

"We began this journey together and after achieving her personal achievement target with Slimming World too, we continue to cook and eat the tasty, healthy, filling meals we've learned from both inside our Slimming World group and outside, on the wider social media support groups there are for Slimming World members too.

"I cook a lot of meals from the 'Pinch of Nom' recipe books and pizza pasta is a firm favourite of mine!

"Being able to fill up on pasta and have a healthier switch for pizza is a definite game-changer! I've made simple, easy changes to my diet and stuck by the plan and the weight has dropped off - before I felt the only way to lose weight was to exercise, something I wasn't able to do at my start weight."

Mark attends Laura Bounford's Thursday morning group at Astbury Village Hall.

Laura says: "Mark's transformation is incredible and he is such an inspiration to so many of us both in and outside of group.

"He's really active on social media and finds time in his busy family life to share recipes and progress pictures on social media to help motivate and inspire others which is just amazing.

"Although Mark has done really well so far, most weight loss journeys will face some ups and downs and that's very normal, we're only human and have deeply ingrained learned habits of a lifetime from friends and family as well as the ones we've created ourselves too.

"These are often the most challenging things to over-come for anyone losing weight and more often than not, these hurdles can leave you feeling unable to lose any more weight.

"These times can leave us feeling guilty, frustrated, upset and angry. This is where with 52 years' worth of experience in the psychology behind weight-loss, we really do have the knowledge and experience to overcome even the biggest of hurdles and together in group, every week we empower each other to achieve what we often believe is impossible."

Mark added: "Throughout my journey there have been some challenges too. I've got years of deeply ingrained habits and whilst trying to follow any healthier eating plan, there is always bound to be difficult days.

"My cravings have been so intense at times and biscuits are one of my trigger foods. That tin has called out to me a fair few times and it's very easy to forget just how unhappy you were before losing weight at the beginning and be led back into those old habits we all have, but it's about learning from those mistakes and being honest with yourself and carrying on again next week.

"Of course lockdown was difficult to stay on track and I hit a few bumps, but I managed to reign it back in with the support of my wife, consultant Laura and group as well as the things I've learned since first becoming a Slimming World member too.

"The best thing about losing weight so far is being able to fit on rides with no embarrassment at all. The last time I went to a theme park I was asked to get off the rides as the seats were not big enough, or rather I was too big for the normal size seat.

"That feeling - being able to enjoy myself, with no discomfort, alongside my wife and kids was just incredible.

"I've tried other ways of losing weight in the past and successfully lost 1st but found the diet I'd chosen to follow was too restrictive for me.

"I was always hungry and feeling like I was having to starve myself to keep up with it. I soon caved in and felt terrible guilt for failing, which led me to comfort eat even more.

"With Slimming World, I can eat big meals as long as I'm eating the right foods cooked the right ways. It's fantastic. I never have to go hungry and the whole family can enjoy being and eating together.

"I was in such bad physical shape before, being unable to exercise due to my weight - I was in pain, low energy and my mobility was really impacted too.

"I was convinced that I couldn't lose weight without exercise, so it was challenging to feel it was worth focusing on my eating and drinking habits.

"Without the accountability of physically attending my group on a Thursday morning to weigh-in and the feedback and advice on my progress, I couldn't and wouldn't have made the changes I have today.

"I don't think it's going too far to say Slimming World has saved my life, as I'm sure at the size and weight I was with the physical and mental health issues it was causing me, I couldn't have had many years left.

"I've gone from not being able to tie my own shoe laces, to regularly enjoying family walks together now.

"I've just recently started at a gym too, for the next chapter of my journey as I want to focus on toning up now as I continue to my personal achievement target.

"I feel healthier and happier than ever. I'm still on my journey and although I'm not where I want to be, I'm 6st 8.5lb closer and if I can do it, anyone can.

"If you want to lose weight, do it. There's nothing to lose, but everything to gain. You can tailor the support to what you need.

"Laura runs Image Therapy after weighing in every week, so there is real, live support where you get individual motivation and a group of slimmers to help you.

"Slimming World has a midweek private Facebook group too, where slimmer's can chat, share and support one and other in-between 24/7 support from Lifeline Online, their members only website.

"As well as on those really tricky weeks where I have a lot of commitments and struggle with committing to the full meetings, I know Laura is there via WhatsApp if I need anything, which is brilliant.

"It's all about making it work for yourself. Don't be afraid, as everyone is in the same boat."

Laura's group currently meets every Thursday at Astbury Village Hall in Congleton at 9am, 10am, 11am, 6pm and 7pm at the moment.

New and returning members are all welcome to pre-book their place and join at 11am or 7pm each week.

Simply text, call or WhatsApp Laura on 07595 535816 for an informal chat, for offers or to book yourself a place.