“I refused to be invisible”

Nicola says: “I was completely unprepared for how the menopause affected me – it changed everything. I suddenly felt like I was invisible to the world, my brain was foggy and I was constantly exhausted. The hot flushes and night sweats were relentless – my bedding was never out of the wash.  

“Looking back, I sometimes can’t believe my body carried that extra 7st through such a tough time. Taking control of my health with the support of my Slimming World group helped me feel ‘seen’ again. My confidence was fading fast. At my lowest point I would enter a meeting room at work with my head down and try to blend into the background, now I stake my place! I feel strong, empowered and I’m so proud of what I’ve achieved.” 

“Although I’d tried losing weight before, this time I was determined to make a change. I found a Slimming World group locally and my husband Ian agreed to join with me. I lost 5lbs in the first week. That was a lightbulb moment for me,” says Nicola, who works as a Director of Human Resources for a multi academy trust in the North East of England. 

She says: “I’ve struggled with my weight since my late teens, after I stopped competitive swimming. As a child, I used to train for hours every day, but when that ended, my appetite didn’t. I kept eating large portions, and without the exercise to balance it, the weight crept on. By my early twenties, I was wearing size 20 clothes and had accepted being the ‘larger than life’ friend even though inside, I felt anything but. My knees and hips ached constantly and I spent eight months on crutches after surgery to repair cartilage damage. I was also on medication for high blood pressure, as any strenuous activity triggered prolonged palpitations which terrified me.” 

“After losing my dad in December 2023, Ian and I made a spontaneous decision to get married and, in September 2024, we had our dream Mamma Mia-style wedding in a whitewashed chapel on a tiny private island in Kos. I’d always hoped for a family of my own, but after several rounds of fertility treatment, it wasn’t meant to be. I had no diagnosed conditions, but being significantly overweight may have affected my chances. Today, I feel incredibly lucky to have three amazing stepchildren through Ian, who’s been by my side every step of our Slimming World journey. Together, we’ve lost 12st.” 

Nicola says: “Losing my dad was one of the main motivators to join Slimming World. He’d be so proud at what I’ve achieved and how much healthier I am today. I’ve gone from a size 20 to a size 10. Since losing weight I successfully completed the summit of Catbells in the Spring of 2025. Something I have always wanted to do.  

“I’ve learnt that I need the support of others around me to help maintain my focus and give me encouragement. I have found that at Slimming World. I love my group, we support each other both in group and through our Facebook page. I also know now that I need the accountability for me, my group and my Consultant Vicky who’s been such a star throughout. Vicky invests so much time and energy into everyone, I feel I owe it to her to be successful too, not just to myself.” 

Nicola’s experience backs up the findings of a surveyⁱ which shows that women going through the menopause can successfully lose weight by making healthy lifestyle changes following Slimming World’s programme.  Over three quarters (79%) of the members questioned who were going through the perimenopause or had experienced the menopause said they had successfully lost weight with Slimming World.  Members currently experiencing the perimenopause who responded to the survey reported the top three most common symptoms as feeling tired or lacking in energy (51%), difficulty concentrating (38%), and difficulty sleeping (37%). 

Although Nicola started to experience the perimenopause at 52 and the average age that women reach the menopause in the UK is 51, this can vary and for some women it can be much earlier. For women experiencing symptoms, it can have a big impact on relationships, work and it can be especially challenging if you’re trying to lose weight. The findings of the survey revealed 85% of women said that in their experience, weight loss is more challenging during the perimenopause and after the menopause. 

Dr Amanda Avery, Slimming World’s Health and Research Consultant Dietitian, says: “We know the menopause can be a challenging time for many women. The support provided by Slimming World helps members feel healthier, confident and in control throughout this life stage. The programme empowers members to manage symptoms through healthier eating and regular activity. With tailored support, a wealth of resources and practical tips, members can manage symptoms, maintain a healthier weight and build lasting positive lifestyle habits. Our research shows weight loss is possible during the menopause.” 

Vicky Robson runs the Town End Farm Working Mens Club in Sunderland and is Nicola’s Consultant. She says: “Nicola is a true inspiration to everyone in our group. Her incredible 7st weight loss during the menopause shows what’s possible with determination and support. She’s living proof that you can take control of your health at any stage of life – and do it without relying on weight loss drugs. We all feel proud to know Nicola and I feel privileged to have played a small part in helping her rediscover the fabulous woman she’s always been.” 

Nicola attends the Town End Farm Working Mens Club in Sunderland on Saturday mornings run by Consultant Vicky Robson. To find out more about Vicky’s groups, running on Tuesday evenings at 7pm, Wednesday at 9.30am or Saturday mornings at 8am and 9.30am, call Vicky on 07496 968689.  

For more information or to find your nearest group, visit slimmingworld.co.uk.  

Nicola Graham 

Starting weight: 16st 13lbs (107.5kg) 

Weight lost: 7st (44.5kg) 

Current weight: 9st 13lbs (63kg) 

Height: 5ft 6in 

BEFORE MENU

Breakfast: Often skipped  

Lunch: Fast food chicken nuggets or crisps high in fat and salt, or supermarket frozen pizza 

Dinner: Takeaway pizza, creamy curries with Persian rice fried off with butter until crispy, poppadom and pickles, homemade lasagne with rich béchamel sauce, full fat steak mince, full-fat cheese and cheesy garlic bread 

Dessert: Share-size bar of chocolate or ice cream 

Snacks and drinks: 1-2 glasses of wine per evening, full fat crisps  

AFTER MENU 

Breakfast: Overnight oats with plenty of fruit and low-fat yoghurt or Slimming World's full English breakfast (two slices of lean bacon with the fat trimmed off, Slimming World sausages, grilled tomatoes, spinach, two poached eggs and mushrooms – most items cooked in the air fryer)  

Lunch: Fresh salad with smoked salmon or lean meat, homemade low-fat dressing with no added sugar  

Dinner: Slimming World roast chicken dinner with fresh vegetables and low-fat homemade gravy 

Dessert: Blueberries, strawberries and raspberries with low-fat yoghurt 

Snacks and drinks: Fruit, high fibre cereal bar, water, de-caffeinated coffee, gin with slimline tonic