I’d been overweight since I was a child, and by the time I was in my late 20s and had my own children, Millie and Maisie, my weight had completely spiralled. After my dad passed away, I sought comfort in food and put on more pounds. I felt unhappy, ashamed and frustrated about my weight.
I was living on shakes as a substitute for food – and if I lost anything, it always felt impossible to keep it off. Before I knew it, I’d be back at square one. I was miserable and hungry, and I knew I couldn’t carry on that way.
In 2013, my now-husband Lee and I decided to get married after 13 years together. I was so excited and knew I wanted to feel my best for our special day. However, trying on dresses wasn’t a good experience – I was so unhappy with how I looked, and I was struggling emotionally, too. I hadn’t coped very well with the grief of losing my dad, and it made me realise how much I wanted to be around as long as possible for my young family. I knew the only way I could do that, though, was by looking after myself – and that began with my weight.
With a wedding date set for the following year, I decided to join Slimming World. I’d been a member in the past, so knew it was a safe environment – but I still felt embarrassed walking back into group on that first visit. However, I was instantly reminded that I had no reason to be, as everyone was so lovely and welcoming. While I’d wanted to lose weight before, this time I went in with a different mindset. Something clicked, and I realised that the only way I could achieve what I wanted was by changing my habits – and for good!
I knew Slimming World’s healthy eating plan worked, but reading through the books I was given with fresh eyes helped me to embrace it in a completely different way – and see where I might have tripped up in the past. The app was great for extra support when I needed it during the week, too.
The way I shop, cook and eat has completely changed. Now I make meals from scratch every day, such as chicken stir-fry and beef stroganoff. Food Optimising works so easily for us as a family, and I love that we can all enjoy the same things. I’ve never felt like I’m on a diet and I’m never hungry, because I still eat normal, everyday foods – it’s just a way of life for me now. I managed to lose 3st before my wedding and felt amazing on the big day.
I’m so grateful for my Consultant, Paula, and the other members in group. It hasn’t always been plain sailing – since I reached target there have been times when I’ve struggled with finding the balance of maintaining my weight, rather than losing or gaining. I’ve found going to group every week has helped me not to be too hard on myself, and I’ve learnt how to embrace and celebrate non-scale victories, too – like feeling confident in different outfits or trying out a new fitness class on my own.
I wasn’t active at all before I joined Slimming World. Just the thought of exercising would wear me out! In the past, I’d tried the odd gym class with friends, but I always felt so unfit and never went back. I was too embarrassed to go swimming with my children when they were younger, as I couldn’t face anyone judging me.
Nowadays I have a new-found love for exercise. Paula explained how Slimming World’s activity support programme, Body Magic, works – and I loved that I could start at my own pace, do it at a time that worked for me, and get awards for my progress! It motivated me to try new things, too. I started a circuits class at my local gym once a week, and as my confidence has grown and my fitness has improved, I’ve joined a few more classes. I believe it’s played an important part in helping me keep the weight off.
I hit my target weight in 2015, and I’ve maintained my 6st 10lb (43kg) weight loss ever since. Slimming World has completely changed my life. I spent most of my adult life hiding away, too embarrassed to get involved in family activities like swimming or bike riding, and missing out on special occasions because I’d struggle to find clothes that I felt confident wearing. Now I’m making up for lost time, and just enjoying life to the fullest!
Before | After | |
|---|---|---|
Breakfast | White toast, or crumpets with butter or sugary cereal. | Overnight oats using fresh fruit like peaches, strawberries and plums. |
Lunch | Baguette, or shop-bought pasta salad, crisps, sugary snacks. | Homemade salad with skinless cooked chicken pieces or boiled eggs. |
Dinner | Takeaways, or frozen fish and chips, or ready-made pie and chips. | Slimming World diet cola chicken, fish or chicken stir-fries, or steak with homemade chips. |
Snacks | Biscuits, crisps, chocolate, or savoury pies. | Fat-free yogurt with fresh fruit, Slimming World Hi-fi bars, half a pint of lager or a glass of Prosecco. |
A new study has found more than half of UK adults (56%) have followed a fad diet to lose weight and, of those, 35% stuck to it for only six days or less. Almost 71% of those polled who’d tried a fad diet said they didn’t get the weight loss they wanted, or didn’t lose any weight – and 11% actually gained weight.
The welcome news is that 93% of Slimming World members surveyed say that, since joining, they feel better equipped with the tools and strategies needed for long-term weight loss.
With our mindset-shifting support system in group and online, members learn to create healthy habits to lose weight – and keep it off for good.
Weight loss will vary according to your individual circumstances and how much weight you have to lose.