“After losing more than 7st, I’ve put my type 2 diabetes into remission”
Forced to retire from her job as a language teacher for health reasons, Kheira Ghachi joined her local Slimming World group after being referred by her social prescriber. Since losing 7st 5lbs (46.9kg), the 56-year-old has improved her health including putting her type 2 diabetes into remission.
Kheira, from Wilbarston, Northamptonshire, says: “In 2008 I lost my father and soon after, my older brother. Though I’d been living in England for a while, I’m originally from France and I was still very close to my family back home. I turned to food for comfort and to ease my grief.
“I put a smile on my face during the day for my students and colleagues but once I got home, I reached for frozen pizzas and high calorie ready meals, and I wouldn’t think anything of eating a whole packet of croissants in one sitting.
“Slowly, my weight crept up and I was diagnosed with depression. I’d had a form of arthritis from an early age which affected my joints and feet and my skin, I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia, asthma and sleep apnoea on the top of my existing hearing loss. I eventually had to retire due to my health. After leaving my job, I isolated myself. I rarely left the house, and I lost all confidence in myself.
“After living in England for three decades, I became a British citizen in 2021. I was proud and excited, but my self-esteem was once again knocked on seeing photos from the ceremony and realising how big I looked.
“Only a few days later, I received results from a blood test which confirmed I was living with type 2 diabetes. My doctor also told me my weight put me at greater risk of developing further health conditions, including heart issues. I was put in touch with a social prescriber who told me about a programme where I could join Slimming World for free.”
Slimming World on Referral is a partnership scheme with the NHS which provides people living with overweight or obesity with access to a 12-week weight loss plan from Slimming World. It’s available in 72 areas across the UK.
Kheira says: “It wasn’t until January 2023 when I first walked through my Slimming World group doors. I was very nervous, but my Consultant Angela greeted me like a friend.
“After Angela explained the healthy eating plan, it felt like something I could do and I was excited. As soon as the group ended, I went and bought fresh fruit and veg, lean meats and other healthy buys to try out all the Slimming World recipes which had caught my eye, like cottage pie and crustless quiche.
I lost 4½lbs in my first week.
"And as the weight came off, my confidence and belief in myself grew. I started to contribute more in my Slimming World group, like sharing photos of the recipes I cooked at home, and going to the group soon became the highlight of my week.
“As well as improving my mental wellbeing, by losing weight, I’m sleeping better, and after a routine blood test I was told my type 2 diabetes was in remission. I still take immunosuppressant medication and have to take care of my health but I’m no longer hiding myself away. My old life is now unrecognisable to me!”
Kheira’s experience backs up research published in the journal Archives of Diabetes & Obesity showing that people with type 2 diabetes can improve their diabetes management by making healthy changes to their diet and physical activity and losing weight following Slimming World’s programme.
The research revealed, of the members surveyed, 33.9% of those with type 2 diabetes reported their diabetes had gone into remission; this increased to 51% for those who’d lost at least 10% of their body weight; 61% were able to reduce or stop taking their diabetes medication and 81% saw improvements in their blood glucose (also known as blood sugar levels) management.
Diabetes UK estimates that 1.3 million people are currently living with type 2 diabetes but are yet to be diagnosed.
The improvements Kheira has made to her health are inspiring and our research shows many members experience similar outcomes.
Dr Sarah-Elizabeth Bennett, Senior Research Associate at Slimming World, says: “The study shows how 80% of the Slimming World members polled reported an improved quality of life while managing health conditions after following the weight loss support programme.
“Slimming World’s flexible healthy eating plan can be easily tailored for members like Kheira to fit their individual needs and to make sure it’s in line with the dietary advice from their healthcare professional. Members living with diabetes are given tailored resources – including a dedicated booklet created in partnership with Diabetes UK. Slimming World’s partnership with Diabetes UK strengthens our support for members living with diabetes and enables us to further deepen our understanding of the challenges and misconceptions people living with diabetes face.”
Douglas Twenefour, Head of Clinical at Diabetes UK, says: “We are proud to be working with Slimming World, supporting members who are living with all types of diabetes, or at risk of type 2 diabetes. By combining our expertise on weight loss, long-term healthy eating and diabetes, we are committed to helping people build healthier habits and live healthier lives.”
Angela Walker, who runs the Desborough Slimming World group and is Kheira’s Consultant, says: “Since walking through those doors almost two years ago, Kheira has changed dramatically. Yes, she’s lost weight and improved her health which is incredible, but she’s also flourished as a person. Kheira is vibrant, kind, and compassionate, and now has the confidence to share and help other members with their own weight-loss journey. I’m so proud of Kheira, and happy to have played a role in helping her create healthy habits for life!”
Kheira Ghachi
Height: 5ft (152cm)
Weight Loss: 7st 5lbs (46.7kg)
Joining weight: 14st 10½ lbs (93.7kg)
Current weight: 7st 5½lbs (46.9kg)
BEFORE
Breakfast: Up to four pastries or four slices of toast with chocolate spread and a hot chocolate
Lunch: Shop bought sandwiches and salads with full fat dressings
Dinner: Frozen pizza or a shop bought high calorie ready meal
Snacks: Croissants and chocolate bars, crisps and sweets
AFTER
Breakfast: Weetabix or oats (overnight, baked, or cooked) served with fat free yogurt and lots of fresh berries, and a coffee with almond milk
Lunch: homemade salad using my own fat free dressing followed by fruit
Dinner: Homemade meals such as vegetable stir fry, curry, cottage pie, or spaghetti bolognese using wholemeal pasta or brown rice, or Slimming World chips and crustless quiche
Snacks: Fruit with fat free Greek yogurt
For more information or to find your nearest group, visit slimmingworld.co.uk.