Mum-of-three loses 13st and restores heart health
“My sky-high blood pressure scared the life out of me – I took action and joined my local Slimming World group”
A routine blood pressure health check became the wake up call mum-of-three Devinia Carby says she needed to get her health back on track.
Devinia, 46, a council worker from Brent, says: “My mind went straight to my mum, who had high blood pressure and diabetes. She passed away in 2022 after a lifetime of illness and medical complications and I pictured my daughter, Nayla-Hope, caring for me the way I’d cared for my mum. I couldn’t let that be her future. I realised it was time to take control and break the cycle.
“So, in March 2024, I rejoined my local Slimming World group with a clear purpose and a completely different mindset. I’d been a member before, however this time I followed the plan closely and what a difference it made. Going to the group each week and hearing how encouraging others were was the motivation I needed.
“As a single working mum, cooking from scratch every night felt impossible. In the past, we relied on takeaways four nights a week. Being inspired by other members of my Slimming World group, I started prepping my meals in advance. Now, each Sunday I batch cook meals for the week ahead with Nayla-Hope and freeze portions. In fact, one of the best tips I’ve picked up from other members at my Slimming World group is to match my meals to the weather. On cold days, having a hot meal already planned stops me slipping off course. Sunday roasts are a family favourite – chicken, Slimming World roast potatoes, sweet potatoes, Brussels sprouts, broccoli and cauliflower cheese from the Slimming World food range.
“Looking back, I know my weight got really out of hand when I started having children (Micah, now 25, Kyle, 22 and seven year old Nayla-Hope). I’d spent years struggling with my weight and always felt like the biggest person in the room. After believing for so long that losing weight was impossible, I’ve proved to myself that it isn’t. My blood pressure is now in the normal range and I’m sleeping so much better. I’ve gone from a size 28 to a size 12 by eating meals which don’t make me feel as if I’m missing out. One of the most emotional moments was when Nayla-Hope wrapped her arms fully around me for the first time; hearing her say she could finally hug me properly brought me to tears.
“Losing 13 stone hasn’t just changed my life – it’s transformed my heart health and given me the chance to be the strong, healthy mum I once only dreamed of. Standing here today feels like a beautiful victory.”
The scale of the issue across the UK is stark. Around 1.4 million people are living today after surviving a heart attack and more than 170,000 people die from heart and circulatory diseases each year1. Excess weight is a major contributing factor, yet research shows that even modest, steady weight loss can significantly reduce the risk.
Lisa Maskell is Devinia’s Slimming World Consultant. Lisa says: “I’m so incredibly proud of Devinia. She’s walked back into our group this time with a completely different mindset and watching her embrace every step of her journey has been inspiring. Losing 13 stone is an amazing achievement on its own, but what means even more is seeing her blood pressure come down, her pain ease and her confidence grow week by week. She’s proof that when you combine belief in yourself with the support of group, healthy eating and moving more, life can change in the most powerful ways.”
Slimming World’s evidence-based programme has been helping people to build healthy habits around food, drink and activity for 56 years.
After believing for so long that losing weight was impossible, I’ve proved to myself that it isn’t. My blood pressure is now in the normal range and I’m sleeping so much better. I’ve gone from a size 28 to a size 12 by eating meals which don’t make me feel as if I’m missing out.
Alexandra Clark, Registered Nutritionist at Slimming World, says: “Heart and circulatory diseases cause around a quarter of all UK deaths each year, so stories like Devinia’s show just how life-changing community support and evidence-based guidance can be. Slimming World’s flexible, satisfying eating plan is built around real food and everyday routines, helping members lose weight in a way that feels enjoyable and sustainable. For Devinia, those small, achievable steps have become lasting, heart-healthy habits.”
Alexandra is sharing five practical ways to help people reduce their risk and feel healthier, fitter and more in control.
Manage your weight. Being a healthy weight is one of the key things you can do to support your heart health and losing just 5% of your body weight can reduce the risk of heart disease.
Limit salt intake. Eating too much salt can increase the risk of high blood pressure, which in turn is a risk factor for heart disease. Cooking from scratch and checking salt levels on labels (adults are recommended no more than 6g of salt a day) can help to reduce salt intake.
Cut down on unhealthy fat. High intakes of saturated fat for example fatty meats, butter, cakes, pastries can lead to high cholesterol levels and weight gain, so we’re advised to reduce our intake of these. Meanwhile, including more omega 3 fats found in oily fish, like salmon and mackerel, plus nuts and seeds, like walnuts and chia seeds, can be beneficial for heart health.
Fill up on fibre. As well as keeping our digestive systems working well, fibre can help with satisfying our appetite helping with weight management, plus some fibre-containing foods are particularly good for our cholesterol levels, such as oats, beans, peas and lentils.
Get active. Moving more is one of the most powerful things you can do for your heart. Regular activity helps lower the risk of high cholesterol, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and heart disease. And it all counts – a brisk walk, a cycle outdoors, a swim or class at the gym, even housework or gardening. Aim to include 1–2 strength building sessions a week too, to support muscle and bone health alongside reducing your risk of heart disease.
Dr Pauline Swift, Chair of Blood Pressure UK says: “Half of all strokes, a third of heart disease and a high proportion of kidney disease cases are due to high blood pressure. Lowering your blood pressure can be achieved quite easily, by reducing your salt intake and if necessary, taking blood pressure lowering tablets which are mostly very well tolerated. Furthermore, simple improvements in diet and lifestyle such as doing more frequent, short bursts of exercise and eating more fruit and vegetables can really help keep blood pressure down.”
-ENDS-
Group: Devinia attends Lisa Maskell’s Slimming World group in Kensal Rise, Greater London. For more information or to find your nearest group, visit slimmingworld.co.uk.
Devinia Carby
Starting weight: 24st 12lbs/158.1kg
Weight lost: 13st/82.8kg
Current weight: 11st 12lbs/75.3kg
Height: 5ft 7ins/170cm
Devinia’s success story features in the current issue of Slimming World Magazine – available on newsstands now with a brand-new look! Join your local Slimming World group or sign up online for even more recipes, guidance and support. To find your nearest group, visit slimmingworld.co.uk or call 0344 897 8000.
Devinia’s day on a plate
| Before | Now |
Breakfast | Nothing | Fat free yogurt, fruit, healthy extra portion of granola, chia seeds |
Lunch | Pasty and chips | Homemade Scotch eggs or mini frittatas with salad |
Dinner | Takeaway Chinese or chicken and chips | Spag bol, Sunday roast, Slimming World’s Cauliflower Mac n Cheese, available from Iceland or The Food Warehouse
|
Snacks | Doughnuts, crisps | Boiled eggs, chicken pieces, homemade Eton mess. |