Haulage account manager Jess is enjoying the ride after losing 6st

An account manager for a haulage company is feeling more confident than ever after turning 30 and losing 6st (38kg).

Jess Westbury, who’s been named one of Slimming World’s Icons – a brand-new competition for the weight loss organisation for 2025 – says she knew she needed to lose weight when carrying out everyday tasks, like cleaning or walking the dog, were becoming difficult. It was in the new year in January 2023, after having her daughter, Ella, now two, when Jess decided to join her local Slimming World group.

Jess, from Chesterfield, had struggled with her weight since her teens. She says: “I’ve always felt like the ‘bigger’ friend. I started putting on weight when I was around 16 and it affected my confidence. I really loved swimming at school but I was so self-conscious that I would get a sick note to get out of lessons.

“Looking back now, my weight was having a bigger impact on my day-to-day life than I initially thought. My knees and back were in constant pain and I could barely make it up the hill to the top of my road without getting out of breath. Ella was still so small and I didn’t want her to grow up without me being able to do everything with her – she was the motivation I needed to make a change.”

When a Slimming World leaflet came through her front door, Jess decided to join Consultant Kerry Wright’s group in Danesmoor, Chesterfield. She says: “It felt like a sign seeing the leaflet, so I decided to message Kerry. She was so warm and genuinely nice, and it gave me the confidence to actually go. There were so many emotions going through my mind that first night. I was nervous and scared, and felt embarrassed at the thought of being judged. I tried to block those thoughts out and as soon as I walked in I felt loads better. Everyone was so lovely and kind – and I never once felt judged. Looking back now, it was the best decision I could have made.”

Jess continues: “My group night has become time for me – and I always come away feeling inspired and motivated for the week ahead. A few of my friends have become members too, and it’s great that we can support each other.”

Having attempted to lose weight on her own in the past, Jess’s group helped her to approach losing weight with a completely different mindset. She says: “Before I joined Slimming World I thought I could do it alone. I tried to eat more healthily but I never stuck at it for long enough and always ended up falling back into my old eating habits. It wasn’t until I started to better understand my relationship with food, that it clicked for me.”

Jess embraced Slimming World’s healthy eating plan right away. She says: “The way I cook now has totally changed. I love food, so knowing I didn’t have to stop eating the food I love, like chips and chilli, or that I didn’t have to cook separate meals for my husband Dan and Ella, was music to my ears. Instead, I started making easy swaps like making my own homemade chips in the air fryer with low-calorie cooking spray instead of using oil or buying ready-made chips. The Slimming World app has been a game changer for me too – it’s so convenient when I’m shopping and preparing for the week ahead, and my go-to when I’m looking for new recipes to try. Our family favourite is spaghetti bolognese.

“Before, we would have at least two takeaways a week and ate out a lot, and I love that I haven’t had to give that up. Dan and I still enjoy the occasional takeaway and we go out for a meal every now and then too. Going to my group each week, and talking to Kerry and the other members about how they’ve embraced the plan, has helped me to enjoy some of my favourite treats – like desserts – when I feel like it too, without feeling guilty about it. The tips and learnings I’ve picked up along the way have been invaluable.”

With Slimming World’s physical activity support programme, Jess was encouraged to incorporate more movement at her own pace. She says: “I was lucky if I did 3k steps a day, mainly because my body couldn’t take it. I couldn’t enjoy horse riding – something I’d always loved – because I could only ride on a specific kind of horse that would be able to carry my weight, which weren’t as easy to find.

“As I started losing weight, I was able to walk further and for longer – and without any struggle. I’ll now happily walk for miles and no longer need the bigger horses when I’m horse riding, which is such an amazing feeling.”

As well as running a haulage business, Jess also owns a few rental properties with her husband. She says: “Managing a demanding business, where I’m constantly on the go, no longer feels like a chore. I’m able to do just about everything and anything, from jumping up into the lorries to cleaning the properties with no struggles, and I feel a lot more confident when I meet new clients too.”

Jess continues: “I no longer hide in baggy black clothes or shy away from trying new clothes anymore. I would live in leggings before, because they were all I felt comfortable in. Now I love experimenting with different styles of clothing – and wear bright colours too.”

As well as celebrating turning 30 recently, Jess and Dan, 37, got married last summer. She says: “2024 was a big year for me – I celebrated my birthday feeling the best I ever have. I got married in my dream wedding dress and I felt incredible in it too. It feels so normal now, but the fact that I can run around after Ella and even go down the slide with her in the park is huge for me – it’s something I absolutely dreaded before. I can’t wait to be the mum that wins the egg and spoon race at school now!”

You can view a video of Jess’s story here. 

VITAL STATS:

Name: Jess Westbury 
Age: 30
Height: 5ft 8ins/173cm
Starting weight: 17st 6lbs/111kg/244lbs      
Current weight: 11st 6lbs/73kg/160lbs 
Weight loss: 6st/38kg/84lbs
Dress size before: 22-24
Dress size now: 10-12
Joined Slimming World group: 2023
Group: Jess attends the Danesmoor Slimming World group in Chesterfield, which is ran by Consultant Kerry Wright

Before menu
Breakfast: White toast or a heaped bowl of chocolate cereal
Lunch: Drive-through takeaways or shop-bought sandwich meal deals
Dinner: Takeaways, pasta made with readymade sauce or frozen pizza
Snacks: Chocolate and crisps  

After menu
Breakfast: Homemade breakfast cheesecake using wholewheat biscuits or fruit with fat-free yogurt
Lunch: Pasta salads, jacket potato with beans and cheese or homemade vegetable soup with wholemeal pitta   
Dinner: Homemade pizza wraps and chips, beef chilli or spaghetti bolognese with salad
Snacks: Slimming World high-fibre bars, low-calorie crisps or fruit  

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