I remember the first time I was made to feel self-conscious about my weight. I was just seven years old and the school nurse had asked if I was fat because I ate too many sweets. Later, when I was working as a teacher, it was this painful memory that made me vow none of my students would ever be made to feel that way.
Over the years, I tried pretty much every diet going. They never worked and would usually end in a binge-eating session because I was so hungry, and with me branding myself as a failure who was destined to be overweight and miserable forever.
I wanted to do my best for the students I taught, so I focused on that – to the detriment of my life outside of school. My size meant that I was constantly exhausted, and I worked most Saturday mornings, so I often ended up cancelling any plans I had for the weekends because I was too tired to do anything. I fell into a cycle of working long hours, then just comfort eating and generally crashing on my Sundays.
Harriet aged six (in the red coat), with her sister. It was Ali who later encouraged her to seek help with her weight loss
After she graduated from uni and qualified as a teacher, Harriet fell into a cycle of working long weeks and comfort eating
By the time she joined Slimming World, Harriet had pretty much stopped going out and was struggling to care for herself
My joints hurt constantly and my feet would sometimes swell up so badly, I couldn’t get my shoes on. The skin on them was all cracked, too, and my poor mum had to rub soothing lotion in for me because I couldn’t reach them myself.
Even more painful was the fat-shaming I experienced. One day, a stranger shouted abuse and threw a milkshake at me in the street. It was devastating, and it just made me seek comfort in food even more. It also underlined my own inner script: that I was ‘disgusting’, that I didn’t deserve to change and that I was incapable of it anyway.
By September 2019, I was at rock bottom. I could barely stand, let alone walk, and I couldn’t perform even basic everyday tasks. I was virtually reclusive and I’d only spend time with my partner and a small group of very close friends. I was depressed and anxious, and I had regular panic attacks. I’d written myself off completely, not really caring whether I lived or died.
Watch Harriet tell her moving story
An intervention
My sister, Ali, was worried sick about me. In desperation she searched for my local Slimming World group and called the Consultant, Michelle, who reassured her I’d be in safe hands and that the scales definitely wouldn’t break. I was so anxious, though, and I had panic attacks and sleepless nights in the days leading up to my first group.
Mum drove me there, because I couldn’t walk the short distance to the venue and I didn’t fit behind the steering wheel to drive myself. She waited outside in the car – and did so for weeks afterwards – in case I had a panic attack while I was in there.
It was my love for my sister that got me through the door, but it was the Slimming World ethos, personified by my lovely Consultant, Michelle (and now Rayner), that kept me there. Group taught me that I was worthy of happiness and it gave me back my confidence. Apart from family and close friends, my fellow members were the first people who made me feel accepted. They just got it, were never judgemental and, as the weight came off, they cheered me on every step of the way.
A new way of eating
I absolutely love food and one of the best things about Food Optimising is that I can eat well and satisfy my appetite, so I never feel hungry. And I’ve discovered that losing weight doesn’t have to be bland! I can cook up spicy curries, slow-cooked stews and delicious pasta dishes – it’s all so tasty and filling, and totally tailored to me.
I’ve completely changed my diet and gone from eating ultra-processed, high-sugar and high-fat food to wholesome, hearty meals based around Free Foods. When I eat out, I check the menu beforehand and I have the confidence to ask for slimming-friendly swaps, using the visualisation techniques I’ve learned in group.
Losing weight and being surrounded by her supportive fellow members has given Harriet her confidence back
Before, she’d convinced herself she was a ‘failure’ and destined to be overweight forever
Embracing activity
After hearing the other members talk about Slimming World’s Body Magic activity programme in group one week, I decided I wanted to start moving more. With my sister’s help, I began walking up and down the garden. At first, I could barely support myself and it was incredibly painful. Every week, though, we’d add in a few more steps.
Now, I do circuits – something I never imagined would be possible!
I’m even using the Couch to 5K app to train for a Race for Life in July, which I’m doing with my Consultant, Rayner, and some of my friends from group.
The future
These days, I have a life – and all that comes with it! I have so much energy, and I laugh and smile for real. Losing weight has just erased a whole layer of weight-related anxiety, too – for example, I no longer have to worry about whether chairs will hold my weight.
I even bought a sparkly new dress to wear at Christmas last year, and it wasn’t from a plus-size shop! And it means so much to be able to do simple things, like put my own socks on, have a bath and enjoy good times with loved ones.
I want to go on mad roller coasters, particularly the one on Coney Island in New York, which I was asked to leave when I was 18 because of my size. I want to ride a horse, go to the opera, do a bungee jump…
I get really excited for people who’ve just joined Slimming World, because I know the joy that’s awaiting them as they go on their own journeys and live the lives they want – and deserve. So excited, in fact, that I’ve decided to help others by training to be a Slimming World Consultant. I can’t wait to pay forward all the love and support that my friends, family and group have given me.
No wonder Harriet’s grinning, she’s slimmed down from a size 32-34 to a 16!
In the past, Harriet’s smiles were usually hiding an inner world of weight worries and physical discomfort
Harriet’s day on a plate
Before | After | |
|---|---|---|
Breakfast | I used to skip breakfast, thinking it would help with my weight loss. | Fruit and fat-free natural yogurt, or a full English with grilled lean bacon (visible fat removed), eggs, tomatoes, mushrooms, and baked hash browns using my Syns. |
Lunch | Shop-bought sandwich, crisps and sweets. | Home-made soup or a jacket potato with beans, cheese (using a Healthy Extra ‘a’ choice) and a big salad. |
Dinner | A Chinese takeaway. | A filling Food Optimising meal, like Moroccan lamb with plain boiled rice or couscous, or stuffed squash with lots of Speed veg. |
Revealed – losing weight is easier with support
The care and encouragement of her Slimming World group was a key factor in Harriet’s weight loss success – and our research has shown that she’s far from alone in that. We found that feeling connected to a group of kind and understanding people, who care about your success and positively support you to succeed, makes a big difference when you’re trying to lose weight.
Our poll of Slimming World members found that:
three in four feel more confident and self-assured as a result of joining a Slimming World group
73% have made new friends
68% feel more connected
93% feel more committed to their weight loss
Weight loss will vary according to your individual circumstances and how much weight you have to lose.
Could you be a Slimming World Consultant?
If you’d love to help transform lives and make weight loss dreams come true, we’re always looking for caring and committed people to run their own Slimming World groups. Find out more about this life-changing role here.