“I’ve lost over 5st at my slimming group, improved my health and transformed my life!”

• Angela Larkin, 50, from Hampshire, lost an incredible 5st 7lbs after joining Slimming World through the Government’s Better Health campaign
• Angela has overcome serious health issues and has found renewed confidence, commitment and control to overcome the challenges that would have previously caused her to lose resolve
• Slimming World is a partner in the national government Better Health campaign which launched at the start of January this year
• The campaign highlights six health benefits of losing weight and adopting a healthier lifestyle, including a reduced risk of common cancers, lower risk of high blood pressure, less risk of developing diabetes as well as decreased risk of becoming seriously ill with Covid-19
• Angela’s story backs up new data that reveals group and online members who joined Slimming World via the Better Health campaign since the start of 2021 have lost an incredible 48,072st* – an average of half a stone each at six weeks
• Members who were weighed at 12 weeks after joining had lost on average around 10lbs**

Angela says: “I’ve never had a great relationship with food, but during my pregnancies I would easily put on a lot of weight and then lose it again.

“After the birth of my second child I fell very ill with leukaemia. My marriage broke down, I lost my hearing due to the cancer treatment, and I wasn’t able to do my job any more. I was feeling low, and the weight crept on, my blood pressure was high, and I had a number of health issues. When I moved area with my children and new partner Phil, I made the decision to lose weight and start taking care of myself.

“I tried to lose weight in the first lockdown, but I couldn’t do it on my own and I knew I needed the support of a group. I saw a message from Emma, the Consultant who runs my local Slimming World group, on Facebook in May 2021 with the Better Health offer, and although I’d never been to a Slimming World group before, I contacted her straight away!

“I was slightly nervous going to my first group and couldn’t believe it when I stood on the scales to find I was 18st 4.5lbs. I cried when I realised my BMI was in the obese category.

“Emma and the other members were so kind and welcoming, though, and they put me right at ease. From the moment I arrived, I felt no judgement, only acceptance. Going to group has been a lifesaver for me, it has helped me to set goals, understand where I might trip up on my weight-loss journey, and put plans in place to make sure I continue to lose weight. We are like a family at group; everyone is supportive, it’s motivational, and exactly what I needed.

Angela’s incredible weight-loss success backs up data from Slimming World which found that people who joined a Slimming World group through the Better Health campaign lost an average of 7lbs in six weeks***.

The Office for Health Improvement and Disparity (formerly Public Health England) launched the Better Health campaign to encourage adults across the nation to lose excess weight, eat more healthily and get active after a survey revealed that over 4 in 10 (41%) adults in England say they have put on weight since the first lockdown in March 2020****.

“Before joining Slimming World, I didn’t really pay attention to what I was eating, but now I really enjoy trying new Slimming World recipes, such as spicy Cajun chicken with lots of vegetables and rice on the side – I never feel hungry. I’ve been able to adapt Slimming World’s Food Optimising plan to create meals my family enjoy, and make healthy swaps, like using leaner meat and less oil. My partner has supported me throughout and enjoys the food I make, along with a close family friend who regularly visits to try what I’ve cooked!

“For a long time I’ve been unable to even walk to the end of my road without getting out of breath, but with the support from my Slimming World group, I started introducing exercise slowly, and now I enjoy going swimming three to four times a week, and when I can’t go you’ll find me going for a long walk. The difference in the amount of physical activity I can do, and want to do, now is amazing.

“I’m still on my weight-loss journey, but I’m so proud of how far I’ve come. I always wore leggings before with large, baggy tops as nothing else fitted me, now I’ve lost weight I enjoy trying on clothes and really think about what I want to wear. Since July I’ve been living with endometriosis and perimenopause, and it would have been so easy to stop thinking about what I’m eating or doing any exercise, but I’m determined to stick with it as I feel so much better overall. Slimming World has given me the confidence in myself to continue making healthy changes and choices, and the energy to do all the things I want to.”

Emma Jones runs the Odiham Slimming World group and is Angela’s Consultant, she says: “Angela has fully embraced Slimming World’s Food Optimising and physical activity Body Magic programmes and is doing incredibly well. She is such an inspiration to our group and I’m so proud of how far she’s come.”

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

Angela’s Vital Statistics

Starting weight: 18st 4.5lbs

Weight loss: 5st 7lbs

Current weight: 12st 13lbs

BEFORE

Breakfast: Toast and cake

Lunch: Sandwich, crisps, a fizzy drink and chocolate

Dinner: Breaded chicken with ketchup served on a roll or with chips

Snacks: Cake, chocolate, ice-cream and sugary sweets

AFTER

Breakfast: Yoghurt and fruit or mushroom omelette

Lunch: Baked potato with baked beans or salad

Dinner: Cajun chicken with lots of veg & rice

Snacks: Fruit and cereal bars