I was horrified that my son \u2013 and my whole family, in fact \u2013 had to go through such an ordeal though. Having lost my own mum when she was just 43, I couldn’t bear the thought of leaving my children without theirs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019d struggled with my weight since childhood and, being a yo-yo dieter as an adult, I\u2019d tried many times on my own to lose weight. It would work for a bit, then I\u2019d put the weight back on as I\u2019d feel restricted and unable to eat the foods I love. I knew what I needed was a long-term solution not a quick fix.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The answer didn\u2019t come straight away but when a Slimming World leaflet came through my door just after Christmas, I decided to join my local group that January.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n
![\"Nicola](\"https:\/\/slimmingworld.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Stitch2-StrokeSuccessStory-SlimmingWorldBlog.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nThe power of group support<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nEven though I desperately wanted to make a change, I was scared. So much so that I actually didn\u2019t go that first week, it took another seven days for me to pluck up enough courage. I went the following week, and I\u2019m so glad I did! As soon as I walked in, my fears went away, and I was put at ease as everyone was so welcoming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Although I was one of the biggest people there, 12 other people joined the same week and that united us immediately. As I heard my Consultant, Lori, talk about the plan and the support that surrounded it, I remember thinking, \u2018this could actually work\u2019!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fitting slimming around my lifestyle<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nPerhaps the biggest surprise for me about joining Slimming World is that I never expected to meet so many lovely people. As well as Lori, it\u2019s the other members who keep me motivated and we share amazing recipe ideas!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What I find incredible about the Slimming World plan is the fact that you can eat the foods you love, never go hungry and still lose weight. It\u2019s so flexible. I cook from scratch now, I\u2019ve cut out butter and I use low calorie cooking spray instead of oil.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I never feel like I\u2019m missing out though, I\u2019ve just adapted the way I shop and cook. We\u2019re quite a sociable family so we\u2019ll often visit the local pub or enjoy meals out with friends and none of that has had to stop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I can still socialise and lose weight! Instead of drinking lager and lime or cider, I\u2019ve swapped to gin and when we eat at a restaurant, I swap out the chips for a jacket potato and salad with my steak.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Perhaps the biggest surprise for me about joining Slimming World is that I never expected to meet so many lovely people. As well as Lori, it\u2019s the other members who keep me motivated and we share amazing recipe ideas!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What I find incredible about the Slimming World plan is the fact that you can eat the foods you love, never go hungry and still lose weight. It\u2019s so flexible. I cook from scratch now, I\u2019ve cut out butter and I use low calorie cooking spray instead of oil.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I never feel like I\u2019m missing out though, I\u2019ve just adapted the way I shop and cook. We\u2019re quite a sociable family so we\u2019ll often visit the local pub or enjoy meals out with friends and none of that has had to stop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I can still socialise and lose weight! Instead of drinking lager and lime or cider, I\u2019ve swapped to gin and when we eat at a restaurant, I swap out the chips for a jacket potato and salad with my steak.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"Nicola](\"https:\/\/slimmingworld.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Stitch1-StrokeSuccessStory-SlimmingWorldBlog.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n