Slim chance of success: Emma’s £1,700 Ozempic spend ends in weight gain

At nearly 18st, Emma Warner was desperate to lose weight. Now 3st 6lbs lighter, Emma’s delighted she found a way to lose weight while still enjoying her favourite food.

The 42-year-old’s story comes as a OnePoll study of Slimming World members^[1] reveals 85 per cent were surprised they could lose weight while still eating foods they loved and more than half (56 per cent) reported being surprised at how quickly they’ve lost weight since joining.

Emma, 42, from Plympton in Plymouth, says: “In 2022, through my job, I was given an opportunity to try weight loss drugs from a private clinic. I spent £1,712 on a six-month course. I was full of hope that I’d lose weight by my appetite being suppressed, but I was just as hungry as ever and over the six months I gained 22lbs (10kg). I was so disappointed.”

Then, in late summer 2023, Emma went to a family wedding in Greece with her eight-year-old son Arlo. She says: “When I saw the photos, my heart sank. When I got back and showed the photos to family and friends, I was mortified at how I looked. I spoke to my sister Laura and she suggested that we join Slimming World together.

“Going to the group that first time, I was nervous as I thought everyone would be looking at me, but my sister reassured me that we were all in the same boat – and she was right, everyone was so friendly.

“After just one session, we were so inspired! Hearing about the healthy eating plan and that we could still eat our favourite food and lose weight was great. When we saw the weight loss success of others in the group, we knew we were in the right place. We both came away determined that we were going to make this work and believing that we could! I lost 9lbs that first week!

“What struck home was when the group’s Consultant, Debbie, asked us to think about our everyday habits and where we might be able to make simple changes to our lives which would make big changes to our weight loss. I’d been commuting to and from London and I’d often grab food on the go without thinking about it. Lunch might have been a sandwich, crisps or chocolate bar and a fizzy drink as part of a meal deal or a ready meal, like mac n cheese. I realised it was all about convenience for me – it was such an eye-opener!

“With the support from my Slimming World group, I learnt how to make my favourite meals such as spaghetti bolognese, stew and chilli with cheesy garlic bread in a healthier way without losing any of the taste or flavour. As my husband Michael is from Ghana, I’ve even adapted some Ghanaian meals, which are typically cooked with a lot of oil, to healthier versions – my Jollof rice is a favourite! We’re both enjoying eating more healthily and cooking meals at home like Slimming World's sweet potato curry or if we’re pushed for time, then we both love cauliflower mac n cheese from the Slimming World food range at Iceland – I’m a big fan of everything in the range.”

Emma says: “Since I’ve joined Slimming World, life is so much easier – I don’t get out of breath so much and I’m able to play with Arlo and take him to the park. I’ve gone from trying to find a quick fix that cost a fortune to feeling in control of my weight. I’ve started planning my meals and I batch cook my favourites at the weekend. When I commute – which I do less now as I have a new role closer to home – I take something I’ve cooked at home. I’m losing weight yet I feel fuller than ever and I’m saving money.”

A separate study of UK adults conducted by OnePoll shows despite more weight loss drugs being available, 69 per cent of adults surveyed would be unlikely to take them^[2]. A quarter of those say it’s because they don’t want to change the way they eat, drink and socialise, 21 per cent worry they wouldn’t be getting the nutrition they need for good health and 20 per cent say they love their food too much.

Carolyn Pallister, Registered Dietician and Head of Nutrition, Research & Health at Slimming World, says: "When you’re desperate to lose weight, it can be tempting to chase quick fixes – weight loss injections, pills, surgery, a restrictive or fad diet, anything that promises instant results. These might involve supressing your appetite, depriving yourself or not being able to eat with others as your diet is so different. But the truth is there is no magic bullet. Lasting weight loss comes from making changes to our food, physical activity and mindset, and getting the support to make those changes last.”

Debbie Malone is Emma’s Slimming World Consultant. Debbie says: “Emma joined my group after weight loss drugs didn’t work and she was ready to see real results. Watching her lose weight while enjoying food that the whole family can enjoy has been truly inspiring and shows that lasting change is not only possible – it’s enjoyable.  Emma proves you don’t have to give up the things you love to reach your goals – you just need the right support.”

Group: Emma attends the Plympton Slimming World group in Plymouth, Devon.

Emma Warner

Starting weight: 17st 9lbs (112kg)

Weight lost: 3st 6lbs (21.7kg)

Current weight: 14st 3lbs (90kg)

Height: 158cm (5ft 2inch)

Before menu:

Breakfast: Nothing or a coffee on the go with one or two croissants 

Mid-morning: Biscuits 

Lunch: Meal deal sandwich and crisps 

Dinner: Fish and chips from the chip shop 

Dessert: Layered cheesecake dessert

Snacks: Crisps, salted nuts and chocolates

Drinks: Smoothie or full sugar coca cola 

After menu:

Breakfast: Overnight oats 

Lunch: Heated up leftovers/ batch cooked roast vegetable lasagne

Dinner: Freshly made chilli/ spag bol/ homemade stew 

Snacks: Fruit/ high fibre bar, low fat yoghurt, chocolate bar

Drinks: Water, diet cola, gin and tonic