I was over the moon when Mark asked me to marry him. But the thought of finding a wedding dress, and being centre of attention on the day, made me feel ill. I didn’t want to go to any bridal shops because I worried there’d be nothing in my size. In the end, I ordered my dress online. While it did the job, I never really loved it in the way I should’ve done. I felt uncomfortable and when I see the photos from our special day now, I don’t like how I looked at all.
As a mum of four, I’d gained weight during each of my pregnancies, and it was starting to affect my health. I had a bad back and needed MRI and CT scans to find out the cause. When the doctor told me it was all down to my weight, I struggled to accept it. My mental health was also suffering. I’d avoid social situations and never took my children to parties like the other mums – I’d stay at home feeling embarrassed and ashamed.
Time to take action
I’d tried many different ways to lose weight, but always felt like I was fighting a losing battle. I’d even tried weight loss pills from my GP, as well as seeing a private doctor who prescribed various tablets for me to try. Though they worked for a while, it was only ever short term, and I’d soon be back to my old ways – snacking on sugary foods in the evenings and finishing the kids’ leftovers after our meals.
The turning point came when my son made a comment about me being a ‘fat mummy’. At 19st, I always worried about people commenting on my size, and I’d try to hide myself in baggy black clothes. For my own child to notice was a moment of clarity for me. I knew I wanted to be an active mum and a positive role model – I needed to take action and find something that would work for me long-term!
I was really nervous at the thought of joining a Slimming World group – especially about a stranger seeing my weight. But it was by far the best decision of my life. I looked forward to going to group every week, and I didn’t worry if I had a gain every now and again because it happens to us all. For the first time I started to believe that I really could lose weight.
I’ve learnt that small changes can make a big difference when it comes to weight loss – like swapping to low-calorie spray rather than oil, and switching white bread for wholemeal. My group and my Consultant, Clare, are so supportive, and I find it really motivating to hear about the success of other members. I also love reading the real-life stories in Slimming World Magazine or on the Slimming World app.
After such a long time thinking I had to massively restrict my diet to lose weight, I couldn’t believe I’d be able to slim down by eating everyday food. Lean meat, eggs, fish, pasta, potatoes, fruit and vegetables are all Free Foods on the Slimming World plan – so you can eat them to satisfy your appetite without weighing or measuring. I’ve always craved unhealthy snacks and sugary treats, especially during the evenings, but I soon found that filling up on healthy meals throughout the day meant that the cravings were fewer and fewer.
In group I learnt how to understand my own relationship with food more deeply, which made it easier for me to take control and change my mindset around food and drink – and even start to exercise! Slimming World’s physical activity support programme, Body Magic, encouraged me to consider how I could build exercise into my life. Now, I actually enjoy going to the gym, and I absolutely love walking and being out and about in nature.
So much has changed since losing weight: my outlook on life, the quality time I spend with my children, my health and my confidence. When I look back on my wedding photos, my only wish is that I’d felt the way I do now. Mark and I have been talking about maybe renewing our wedding vows one day, so I decided to try on some dream wedding dresses for inspiration. Every dress I chose fitted me perfectly, and I felt like a princess! I’m the best version of myself – for me, and for my family, too. I’m living my best life and that’s an incredible feeling.
Toni’s day on a plate
Before | After | |
|---|---|---|
Breakfast | Butcher’s sausage sandwich. | Poached egg, lean bacon, beans, tomatoes and mushrooms. |
Lunch | Fast-food burger or fried chicken and chips, or a cafe trip – usually having a chicken burger or mayonnaise-rich pasta salad. | Jacket potato with tuna and sweet chilli salad or a Slimming World Lunch Bowl from the range at Iceland. |
Dinner | Doner kebab and chips from the takeaway. | Home-made spaghetti bolognese or chicken tikka masala with vegetables and boiled rice. |
Snack | Crisps, chocolate, croissants, or cakes. | Fruit with fat-free Greek natural yogurt and a drizzle of honey. |
Watch Toni talk about her journey
Weight loss will vary due to your individual circumstances and how much weight you have to lose.