A Congleton woman is celebrating after losing nearly three stone.

Alice Stannard has been named among Slimming World's Icons 2026, having been nominated by her fellow members at Wellspring Church.

Having joined the group in February 2025 after seeing herself in the background of a holiday photo, the 78-year-old has lost 2st 12.5lbs, going from 11st 11.5lb to 8st 13lb.

Alice said: " I didn't like having my photo taken, as I felt quite ashamed of how I looked in a bathing costume, so I thought I'd avoided it but that picture stuck in my mind.

"I was fed up of seeing that reflection in the mirror. Even small daily things like bending over wasn't easy, and my blood pressure wasn't good either.

"Now I am so much happier with how I look in the mirror and in photos, and I can bend down and touch my toes easily. I had to laugh the other day as I put a skirt on that I used to wear; now I don't need to undo the zip, it fell off me! Just about everything in life is easier, from getting up from the sofa , getting in and out of the car and so much more.

"I am certainly much happier, and my weight loss has given me more confidence too. I certainly enjoyed the compliments from my daughter's friends who hadn't seen me for nearly a year! That feeling was priceless."

Laura Tickle, who runs the Wellspring Church Slimming World group attended by Alice, added: "Wow, what can I say? I was so chuffed for Alice to be voted our 5.30pm Thursday group's Slimming World Icon for 2026, it's so well deserved.

"Her transformation has been incredible, not just in terms of weight loss, but in her confidence and self-belief too. She's such a ray of sunshine in our group every week, and really inspires everyone else in our group.

"What makes Slimming World so special is the community we have together. That support network is worth its weight in gold when you've struggled with your weight.

"Whatever your starting point, you'll find encouragement, understanding and a family of like-minded slimmers that's with you every step of the way."

Alice followed Slimming World's Food Optimising eating plan, which focuses on healthy, everyday foods such as fruit, vegetables, pasta, rice, potatoes, lean meat and fish.

As a result, she has dropped from a UK size 16 to a size 10.

Alice said: "The biggest challenge I've overcome as a a slimmer would have to be my sweet tooth! Stopping at one biscuit or sweet for example has never been my strong point, but with Slimming World, everything changed. I can enjoy delicious, satisfying meals, eat out with family and friends and still stay on track. Instead of trying to fit my life around a diet.

"Slimming World has helped me understand how to build balanced meals and how to make healthier choices that work for me, and that's been the key!

"One of the most important things about Slimming World is the support in group every week. It's where we exchange experiences and recipes. Just being with others who understand, who are trying their best like me to loose weight has made the biggest difference.

"I've met some wonderful friends in my group and there's always someone there to encourage you, celebrate your successes and help you through those tough weeks too."

As Alice's weight loss added up, her activity changed too.

She continued: "I've been quite active all my life; dog walking every day. Even so, I can definitely walk quicker after loosing the weight and hills are so much easier.

"As I found things improving, I decided to increase my activity even more by taking up two keep fit classes, which I really enjoy. I feel much more confident and happy working as hard as I can during them because I've learnt how important being active is, and why.

"I've even started doing the gardening for my daughter, as well as my own garden to keep fit. Bending for those sorts of jobs is so much easier, no huffing or puffing like I would before at the size 16 I was."