A woman has set up her own slimming classes after losing more than five stone in 18 months.

And Amanda McLaren, who started her first class this Monday became healthy enough to gain the precious gift of having a baby after five years of trying.

Mrs McLaren, 34, of Bushy Royds, Willesborough, said: “I didn’t have to give up anything to lose weight or have to eat rabbit food. But I was able to do it by changing eating habits and cooking methods.”

Mrs MacLaren was deep into the obesity scale when she weighted 17st 13 1/2st before starting a diet with Slimming World in June 2007. She is now 12st 10lb.

She had lost 2 1/2st in her first three months and became pregnant after five years of trying for a child with her husband Paul.

She never put on weight while pregnant and her son George was born last June.

Mrs McLaren afterwards continued to lose weight, shedding a total of 5st 3 1/2lb.

She said: “I am now far healthier and I can run up the stairs and go for long walks without getting out of breath.”

Mrs McLaren lost weight by methods such as cutting down on takeaways and eating filling but healthier foods such as pasta and rice.

She also cut down on frying meals in favour of baking and grilling.

Would-be dieters can turn up to Mrs McLaren’s new Slimming World classes at the Ashford International Hotel every Monday at 7pm.