Give a huge round of applause for our incredible 2026 team…

Alex Lambert-Lea, who has lost 4st 3½lbs (27kg).

Bethan Griffiths who has lost 1st 10½lbs (11kg) with the Abergavenny Slimming World group.

Kevin Bunda and his Consultant Sascha Ross, who will be taking on the challenge together. Kevin has lost 6st ½lb (38kg) and Sascha has lost 6st 4½lbs (40kg). 

Slimming World Head Office Digital Support Team Specialist Emily Burnett.

Member Ian Hage, who has lost 10st 1½lbs (64kg).

Karly Finnegan, who has lost 3st 4lbs (20kg) with the Portadown Slimming World group.

Slimming World Consultant Wayne Wilson, who has lost 2st 7lbs (16kg) and runs his own groups in Cramlington.

Victoria Coltart-Sharp, from Folkestone, who has lost 2st 8lbs (16kg). 

Slimming World Consultant Douglas Clark, who has lost 13st 6lbs (85kg) and runs his own group in Renfrewshire.

Kayleigh Gallant, who has lost 3st (19kg) with the Drayton Slimming World group.

Member Sarah Pullan, from Leighton Buzzard, who has lost 5st 2lbs (33kgs).

Sarah Harding, who attends the Watton Slimming World group and lost more than 8st (50.8kg). Sarah deferred her space on the 2025 team to welcome her new baby! 

Whitley Lloyd, 34, turned to food for comfort after losing her nan at 24, relying on up to four takeaways a week at around £30 each. She says: “I didn’t realise how much it all added up. Looking back now, it’s shocking to think about how much money I was spending.

“Before Slimming World, I’d barely eat during the day, only to end up having takeaways and snacks late at night. I used to think takeaways were a treat, yet I found I wasn’t enjoying them anymore – they were making me feel poorly and giving me headaches.”

Since joining Slimming World, Whitley has swapped late night‑ takeaways for homemade “fakeaways” and discovered a love of home cooking while dramatically cutting her food spending. She says: “When I think I was spending up to £500 a month on takeaways and now, I’m not only saving money – I’ve only had four takeaways this year – I’m also proud of the fantastic healthy meals I can cook.”

Whitley’s experience reflects the findings from a new UK-wide ‑poll[1], which shows the cost of the nation’s fast-food habit:

• 60% of people spend up to £50 a week on takeaways and high-fat convenience foods
• 29% spend over £100 a month on frozen items like nuggets and chips
• 47% believe they’d save a significant amount by cutting back
• Yet 20% don’t feel confident cooking from scratch

When people do cook at home, the benefits are clear: 46% save money, 40% feel healthier and 29% say their family eats better.

The turning point for Whitley came when she saw a photo of herself at a family party. Encouraged by a friend, she joined her local Slimming World group – a decision she says: “changed everything”.

At the time Whitley, who is 5ft 3in, weighed 15st 9lbs. She says: “That first week I threw myself into the healthy eating plan and I lost 5lbs. It was a huge moment for me. For the first time, I realised losing weight was possible!”

With the support of her Consultant Jo and fellow members, Whitley learned to cook satisfying, budget-friendly meals from scratch. Whitley says: Before I joined Jo’s group I hadn’t realised I could cook such tasty, healthy meals using low price, everyday ingredients. Jo’s shown me the key to lasting weight loss is being consistent. Things like thinking ahead and planning my meals for the week – having those ‘go‑to’ recipes ready stopped me reaching for takeaways and I started enjoying my food more.

“I’ve had struggles along the way, yet Jo’s helped me spot my danger times – like when I’m going out with the girls, Jo’s helped me realise I can still enjoy those night outs and stay on plan by being more mindful of what I’m eating or drinking.”

With food inflation continuing to affect households across the UK, many people believe that healthy eating is more expensive. Whitley found this wasn’t the case though: “I’ve lost weight by eating delicous, satisfying meals, saved money and discovered I’m a really good cook. My most recent success was a vegetable madras it was amazing. My dad’s a real foodie and he always asks when I’m making his favourite Slimming World meals.”

Whitley, who lives with her husband Sean and her daughter Aleena, 12, has gone from a size 18 to a size 10.  She says: “I used to get out of breath doing almost anything – even just going up the stairs. I’d previously worked as a hairdresser and being on my feet all day, I’d end each shift in so much pain. Since losing weight and gradually becoming more active with Slimming World’s active lifestyle programme, I was able to complete Couch to 5k. I cried when I finished it. I never believed I’d be able to do something like that. I’m happier, healthier and truly myself again. Slimming World didn’t just help me lose weight – it gave me back my spark, my confidence and control of my finances.”

Slimming World’s own member survey shows the potential savings even more starkly. The study[2] of over 1,500 members – over three quarters of whom (77%) have lost more than a stone – reveals a significant financial benefit for members. Before joining, 88% spent up to £100 a week on takeaways and convenience foods. Since joining, 39% say they’ve cut these purchases out entirely – a change that could save households over £5,000 a year.

Slimming World’s evidence-based programme has been helping people to build healthy habits around food, drink and activity for 56 years.

[1] Research conducted by Censuswide, among a sample of 2000 General Respondents across the UK between 11.03.2026 - 16.03.2026.

[2] Research conducted by Censuswide, among a sample of 1,656 Slimming World Members between 11.03.2026 - 17.03.2026. Censuswide is a member of the Market Research Society (MRS) and the British Polling Council (BPC), and a signatory of the Global Data Quality Pledge. We adhere to the MRS Code of Conduct and ESOMAR principles.

Group: Whitley attends Jo Thomas’ Slimming World group in Brecon – contact Jo on 07411891480 for more information. To join your local Slimming World group or sign up online for even more recipes, guidance and support, visit www.slimmingworld.co.uk or call 0344 897 8000. 

Whitley Lloyd, 34

Starting weight: 15st 9lbs/99.3kg

Weight lost: 4st 12lbs/30.8kg

Current weight: 10st 11lbs/68.5kg

Height: 5ft 3in/160cm

Graham’s wife Belinda was so frightened by his snoring and repeated breathing pauses she became convinced he had sleep apnoea. Looking back, Graham says: “I can honestly say that if I hadn’t joined Slimming World, I don’t believe I’d have lived to see 60.”

Before joining Slimming World, Graham says he was constantly exhausted, lethargic and barely able to walk a mile.  He says: “I avoided the doctor for years because I knew what they’d say: “You have to lose weight.” Even though I’ve always worked in physical jobs – I was a groundsman and now I’m a window cleaner – and I always told myself I was “fit for a big bloke”, the reality was very different. As I got older, it became harder and harder to work the weight off. I was tired all the time. 

“The real turning point came when I was in hospital for more than two weeks with a serious leg infection. The doctor drew a pen line around the infection and he told me it couldn’t spread past that mark. He said if the antibiotics didn’t work within 48 hours, they’d have to amputate my leg. That was it – that was the moment, I knew I’d run out of chances.”

Graham’s story reflects Slimming World research showing how closely sleep and weight are linked. Slimming World’s ‘Snooze More to Lose More’ survey polled its members over the course of a week about aspects of their sleep. The study of more than 3,000 members revealed nearly half of those who lost 15% or more of their body weight reported better sleep. The survey showed the more weight Slimming World members lost, the more likely they were to report improvements in sleep.

Before joining his local Slimming World group, Graham says each Saturday watching his beloved Ipswich Town would see him regularly drink 10 pints. He says: “I always worked hard, I was active, but food and drink was my downfall. Every afternoon around 2.30pm I’d have six bags of crisps back-to-back, followed by five or six chocolate bars. Belinda would cook a healthy meal every evening, but once everyone had settled down, they’d hear me back in the kitchen rustling the packets – it was like I couldn’t stop myself.”

Graham says: “Walking into a Slimming World group felt terrifying, but Belinda encouraged me to go and as soon as I walked through the doors, Shani, the Consultant, clocked me straight away. She was brilliant and made me feel welcome, which gave me confidence.”

Graham committed and says the transformation has been lifechanging: “Now, Belinda and I plan our meals together using the app. Our favourites include chicken risotto, pasta dishes, curries and the Slimming World Free Food range at Iceland. We recently went on an all-inclusive long weekend and I stayed on plan without feeling deprived or like I was missing out. That’s when I knew this is my new normal. The plan has become part of my everyday routine, so I ate well but stayed mindful about what I chose. For breakfast, instead of going straight for a full English, I leaned more towards fruit and if I did have bacon, I removed the fat. Lunch was usually chicken or tuna salad with fruit and I chose healthier dinner choices like fish or lean steak. I also kept alcohol low and it all felt natural – and showed me how much my habits have changed.

“Slimming World didn’t just help me lose weight – it taught me how to eat properly. I tried pills, exercise, everything. This is what worked. It’s given me my life back. Nowadays I feel like a 20-year-old. I walk up to 10 miles a day with my dog. Before, I was lucky if I managed one mile. I sleep through the night. No more gasping for air. No more sitting upright in the dark, terrified. I wake up feeling rested. 

“I’ve ditched crisps and chocolate completely. Once I put my mind to it, I knew I could do it. I’m so proud knowing that I’ve inspired other people locally to join after seeing my journey on Facebook.

“Belinda and I have been married for 35 years and we have three adult children – Sian, Matthew and Bethany – and three grandsons aged eight, five and just seven months. I realised I didn’t just want to lose weight. I wanted to be here for them. At 55, I’ve been given a second chance. I’m not just lighter – I’m alive, awake and present. And I fully intend to be here, watching my grandchildren grow up, for many, many years to come.”

For 56 years, Slimming World has helped people change their habits with real-life support in weekly groups led by trained Consultants who truly understand the challenges of weight loss. Members get a powerful package of support including a flexible eating plan and an app that helps members stay motivated between groups with easy access to the eating plan, food choices, progress charts and tools to stay on track.

Group: Graham attends Shani Yates’ Slimming World group in Stanton, Bury St Edmunds. For more information or to find your nearest group, visit slimmingworld.co.uk.

Graham Baalham

Commencing weight 28st 12lbs

Weight at group finals 11st 13lbs

Height: 5 ft 4 in

Weight lost 16st 13lbs in 92 weeks

Graham’s day on a plate 

“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. 

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. 

1. 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.  

2. 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.  

3. 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.  

4. 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.  

5. 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  

Ray Brown, 40, who’s been named one of Slimming World Icons for 2026 – a competition celebrating the most inspirational members across groups in the UK and Ireland – had such a remarkable transformation that his own family didn’t recognise him at his wedding vow renewal, when he turned up half the size.

Ray, who at his heaviest weighed 24st 5½lbs, says: “I’ve been big since I was a child. Coming from a Caribbean family, making sure the kids were well fed was just part of life – and I was no different. We’d always have big meals with all the trimmings, and I really enjoyed my food.

“Throughout school I was nicknamed ‘Big Ray’. As I got older my weight had a huge impact on my confidence. While I had a strong group of friends around me, I often felt like the spare part who was tagging along with the more confident people. And when I started teaching, the thought of socialising with the other teachers filled me with dread.”

While Ray had tried various weight-loss methods in the past, nothing felt sustainable. He says: “I’ve tried every diet going – juice cleanses and meal-replacement plans where you only had soups and shakes – and I did lose weight for a while, but I was always hungry and miserable. I wasn’t keeping track of my weight loss either, and the lack of accountability gave me the perfect excuse to give up. I was stuck in a repetitive cycle of yo-yo dieting. Then, in 2015 I met my now-wife Amy, and as we spent more time together enjoying meals out, the weight slowly crept up.”

Ray continues: “As I gained weight, everything started to slow down. I’d get out of breath just going up the stairs, and my knees would creak and ache even on short walks – at my age, feeling like that wasn’t a good sign.

“After lockdown lifted in 2022, we decided to take our health more seriously. Our GP referred us to a local Slimming World group, giving us vouchers for 12 weeks’ membership free on the NHS. Amy had previously been a member and always said how lovely her group was, but I felt nervous walking through the doors for the first time. I thought I’d be the only man there and was worried my size would draw attention to me too. I couldn’t have been more wrong. The group environment was nothing like I had imagined – there was a such a mix of people, and everyone was so welcoming.”

Being part of the group helped Ray approach his weight loss with a fresh mindset. He says: “My Consultant, Leanne, has been incredible from the get-go. I felt confident I knew how Slimming World’s healthy eating plan, Food Optimising, worked. However, when I explained how I often struggled to stay on track in the past, Leanne went through it with me again and suggested planning my meals for the week and keeping a food diary to help me stick to the plan. I did exactly that – using the app and Slimming World Magazine to plan our meals for the next seven days – and I was amazed when I lost 6½lbs in my first week. That was the motivation I needed to keep going.”

Ray continues: “I used to dip in and out of plans before, but the flexibility of Food Optimising has made it easy to follow, and it’s become something I naturally stick to now without overthinking. I love that I can still enjoy the dishes I grew up on too, such as Brown Stew Chicken with Rice and Peas and homemade Fried Chicken – I’ve just learned to make simple changes like using low-calorie spray instead of oil. I like to meal prep for the week ahead now, and I’ll keep a few Slimming World meals in the freezer for those days when time gets away from me. And if we have a takeaway now, I’ll make a salad to go with it so it feels more balanced rather than something to feel guilty about.”

With Slimming World’s active lifestyle programme, Ray was inspired to incorporate more activity into his routine, at his own pace. He says: “I was very sedentary before. As soon as I started losing weight, I noticed I had more energy. So I began with short walks, which soon turned into longer ones – most days, twice a day – and now I enjoy running too. I run three times a week and can even manage a 10k. It’s the best feeling, especially as I could barely run 10 metres when I first started.”

Losing weight has completely transformed Ray’s life. He says: “For the first time in years, I feel like a completely new version of myself. In fact, my own family didn’t recognise me at my and Amy’s wedding vow renewal last year. Seeing their reactions was a moment I’ll never forget, and it made me realise just how far I’d come. I no longer hide away in my classroom during breaks, and when I’m out on the playground I’ll even join in with the children playing football – without worrying about being in pain afterwards. Thanks to Slimming World, I’m stepping into my forties feeling stronger, healthier and more confident than I ever imagined possible.”

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

VITAL STATS:

Name: Raymond ‘Ray’ Brown  
Age: 40
Height: 5ft 8ins/173cm 
Starting weight: 24st 5.5lbs/341.5lbs/154.9kg    
Current weight: 12st 12.5lbs/180.5lbs/81.9kg 
Weight loss: 11st 7lbs/161lbs/73kg    
Waist size before: 54ins
Waist size now: 32ins
Date joined Slimming World: September 2022

Group: Ray attends the Wollaston group, which is run by Consultant Leanne Onderka.

Before menu
Breakfast: A large bowl of cereal with milk and sugar, followed by two slices of toast spread with butter and jam

Lunch: Shop-bought triple sandwich meal deal with crisps, and a pastry on the side

Dinner: Takeaway pizza with chips followed with sticky toffee pudding and custard

Snacks: Biscuits, chocolate, full-sugar fizzy drink

After menu
Breakfast: Homemade Weetabix cheesecake or All Bran cereal with blueberries and banana

Lunch: Homemade chicken shawarma rice bowl, prepped at the weekend

Dinner: Beef chilli made in the slow cooker or pizza-topped chicken with homemade fries

Snacks: Fresh fruit with yogurt or a Slimming World Hi-fi bar, cooked lean meats, homemade baked oat bites

At a time of year when retailers rush to promote new, health-focused products, the partnership and the established, best-selling Free Food range at the heart of it has stood the test of time after a decade in stores.

Slimming World and Iceland launched the range, which is the only range developed in line with Slimming World’s healthy eating plan, Food Optimising, in February 2015. Today the meals, meat products, sides, lunch bowls and sauces sell in Iceland and The Food Warehouse, with filled pasta, naan breads and pancakes all added to the range for the first time earlier this month. Lots of the products are also available in Dunnes Stores in Ireland, too.  

In an unprecedented move, thousands of Slimming World Consultants will visit stores across a single coordinated week from 10^th to 18^th January – marking the first time the organisation has mobilised its local support network at this scale to engage directly with shoppers in‑store.

The innovative campaign aims to bring Slimming World’s supportive, community‑led weight‑loss experience to life, giving customers the chance to meet Consultants, discover how Slimming World’s groups work and explore the Free Food range – developed to make healthier eating accessible, satisfying and convenient.

The products are perfect for people following Slimming World’s healthy eating plan or anyone who wants to eat more healthily and is short on time, and they’ve become a firm favourite among members and shoppers alike. This January the packaging has had a makeover, making it even easier for consumers to see the high nutritional value of the range, including highlighting protein and fibre content as well as how many plant varieties each meal or product contains.

Throughout the week, Consultants will be on hand in stores to:

• Offer practical advice and guidance on getting started with healthy eating
• Share information about local Slimming World groups and weekly support
• Introduce shoppers to the Free Food range and highlight how it supports real-life weightloss success.

Slimming World’s Director of Food Allison Brentnall says: “This is the first time we’ve brought together our Consultants across the UK and Ireland in such a coordinated way, and it marks an exciting moment in our partnership with Iceland, The Food Warehouse and Dunnes Stores. Our Free Food range is designed to make healthy, satisfying meals simple and accessible for everyone, and having our Consultants in store means shoppers can discover not only the products themselves but also the powerful support that Slimming World groups offer every week.

“It’s a truly innovative activation that brings our brand, our values and our community spirit directly to customers at a time of year when we know lots of people will be thinking about making changes, whether that be eating more healthily or losing weight.”

Ant & Dec’s Limitless Win, which is back for its fifth series, has captured the nation’s attention with its unique feel-good format, giving contestants the chance to climb a never-ending money ladder by taking on questions where every answer is a number.   

It is the first time Slimming World has sponsored a TV show in its 56-year history and comes as the brand launches a new look, including a brand-new logo, for January 2026. It also coincides with exciting changes to the organisation’s much-loved healthy eating plan and the terminology surrounding the programme coming into effect.  

Head of Marketing and External Communications Anika Devaney says: “January is always a time when many people are thinking about making positive changes. This January, we’re better placed than ever – with updates to our language, innovations to ensure our healthy eating plan is bang up-to-date with the latest health, advice and research, and pacier-than-ever support in our weekly groups – to help members achieve their weight loss dreams, whatever they might be.  

“Ant & Dec’s Limitless Win is the perfect place to share our message of support and inspiration this new year. Just like the show’s contestants, our members discover that with the right encouragement and guidance, they too can celebrate life-changing wins and health-changing moments – their potential is limitless! And importantly, they do it alongside others and have a great time along the way, just like the people who appear on the show.” 

The new series of Ant & Dec's Limitless Win starts Sunday 11th January, 8pm on ITV, STV, ITVX and STV Player and 17^th January on Virgin Media in the Republic of Ireland

For more information about Slimming World and its weight-loss support, visit www.slimmingworld.co.uk. – ends –  

Race for Life allows participants to take part in a 3k, 5k, 10k or Pretty Muddy to raise money for research into cancer. And there’s never been a better time for Slimming World members and their family and friends to enter because, to celebrate the partnership, those attending the organisation’s 7,700 community groups or Slimming World Online can now sign up to take part in their local Race for Life 2026 event for a fabulous 35% off of their entry fee if they sign up to Race for Life between 2nd and 31st January – just use the promo code SWJAN26 on the official Race for Life website to redeem your offer.*

If you’re not yet a Slimming World member, you can search for a local group or find out more about our digital-only service, Slimming World Online.

Full terms and conditions: 
*35% off entry is available to the first 5,000 people who enter Race for Life using the promo code SWJAN26. Spaces are subject to availability. The promo code will show as invalid once 5,000 redemptions have been made. Event registration closes approximately 24 hours prior to the chosen event. The code is valid until 23:59 on 31st January 2026.

Eleanor from Middleton in Leeds says: “Like lots of mums, for years I put myself last. My weight crept up after my second baby during lockdown – I went from 13st to nearly 17st in what felt like no time.

“I was struggling with crippling back pain and I felt desperate. I went to the doctor who prescribed weight loss pills, but they did nothing. Diets were even worse – restrictive, miserable and I’d quit by day two. Something had to change.

“I watched my grandma, Joan, transform her life with Slimming World. One evening I joined her to see what it was all about. I expected the room to be full of people her age, yet I was amazed to find other young parents as well as men and women from all walks of life and all ages. I’ve made so many new friends as we’re all united by the same goal of losing weight and leading healthier lifestyles.

“That first week I threw myself into the healthy eating plan and I lost 8lbs. It was a lifechanging moment for me. For the first time, I realised losing weight was possible!”

She adds: “I’ve been conscious of my weight for as long as I can remember. I did ballet as a child and I begged my mum to buy the DVD so I could watch myself. We rushed home, put it on and when my part came, I asked her to point me out. The moment she did, I burst out crying saying: "I don’t want to be the little fat one.”  That insecurity stayed with me for years.

“A lot of people assume I’ve lost weight using injections and they’re always surprised when I explain it’s simply down to changing the way I cook and eat. What’s really helped is going along to my Slimming World group each week and learning how to make everyday meals healthier. It’s those practical changes like picking up easy, family‑friendly recipes that have made all the difference."

“Before losing weight, I was constantly exhausted and felt mentally drained. I avoided leaving the house because I didn’t want to be seen – I was so embarrassed about my size. Now, I look forward to going out and getting dressed up. I’m so much more confident – I even spoke at my sister’s baby shower, something I’d never have done before.

“Everything is different now. I’m happier, healthier and confident. I’ve gone from avoiding exercise to running alongside my son while he learns to ride his bike. I no longer have crippling back pain and I don’t get out of breath walking up the stairs.

“We used to rely on takeaways. Now I make healthy versions of our favourites at home – chicken Szechuan, pizza and kebabs. I get inspiration for recipes from TikTok. People think eating healthily is expensive, but a takeaway can cost £30 for one meal. Establishing healthy habits for life is what Slimming World is all about and I’m so glad I found my local group when I did – now I know how to make healthy eating affordable.

Eleanor says so much has changed in such a short time. She says: “Looking back now, if I could say anything to myself at that time, it would be: “You’re about to make one of the best decisions you’ve ever made, and there’s no looking back. It will change your life in the best way possible and it’ll be a lot easier than you expect.”

Eleanor’s story reflects new research showing members aged 18–34 who attend Slimming World groups are losing weight, gaining confidence, improving their physical and mental health and creating healthy lifelong habits.

The study[1] of over 3,200 Slimming World members aged 18-34 found they lost an average of 12 per cent of their body weight – around 2st 1lb (13kg) with many members losing much more. Yet, the research revealed that the benefits of being a Slimming World member go far beyond physical change: 92 per cent feel part of a supportive community; 89 per cent report a healthier relationship with food and 59 per cent say their mental wellbeing has improved.

The findings come as experts warn younger adults face the greatest risk of future weight gain. Global studies predict one in three children, teenagers and young adults could be living with overweight or obesity by 2050[2]. Research also shows that families who share healthy habits are more likely to lose weight and keep it off – with two thirds of members living with children (66 per cent) saying they influenced their children to eat healthier meals[3].

Eleanor, who lives with her partner James and her three children Grace, seven, Evan, four and Laila, two, was inspired so much by the difference losing weight has made to her life, she’s now become a Slimming World Consultant herself, running her own groups in Leeds.

Jane Masefield is Eleanor’s Slimming World Consultant. Jane says: “Eleanor has been nothing short of amazing. Watching her grow in confidence and positivity has been such a joy. From the very start, she embraced the support of her group and quickly became a cheerleader for others. Her honesty, determination, and openness have inspired everyone around her. At Slimming World, we know that real connection makes all the difference, and Eleanor’s story shows that with the right support and a caring community, truly life-changing things can happen.”

[1] A self-selecting sample of 3,262 Slimming World members aged 18-34 were polled between 6^th and 20^th February 2025

[2] Global, regional, and national prevalence of child and adolescent overweight and obesity, 1990–2021, with forecasts to 2050: a forecasting study for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021 - The Lancet

[3] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12631489/

Group: Eleanor attends Jane Masefield’s Slimming World group in Middleton, West Yorkshire. 

Eleanor Brown

Starting weight: 16st 9lbs/105.7kg

Weight lost: 6st 4lbs/39.9kg

Current weight: 10st 5lbs/65.8kg

Height: 5ft 4in/163cm

Anne Day, 82, who’s been named Slimming World’s Diamond Member of the Year 2025, says for years her weight was holding her back from truly living life to the full. It wasn’t until her brother-in-law – a retired doctor – saw her struggling with a chest infection and suggested that losing weight could improve her health that Anne decided it was time to make a change – for good.

Anne, who at her heaviest weighed nearly 17st, says she’d been overweight all her life: “For as long as I can remember, my weight was something I’d worry about. I had tried various diets over the years, including being put on a restricted plan by the college surgery during my teacher training back in 1961 – nothing ever worked though.

“After having my two sons, my weight continued to creep up. I managed to lose weight at times, however keeping it off was always the hard part. Everything I tried felt too restrictive, which made it difficult to stick to anything long term.”

Anne says she felt she’d lost control of her weight and eventually stopped weighing herself to avoid facing up to her size: “I’d become so unhealthy that I hated what I saw in the mirror. I’d do anything to avoid being photographed or catching my reflection in a shop window while out and about. I even gave up swimming – something I’d always loved doing – as I couldn’t bear the thought of anyone seeing me in my costume, or even seeing myself in one. I knew I needed to start looking after myself when my health started suffering too.”

In April 2010, Anne decided to join her local Slimming World group after getting a leaflet through her door. She says: “I had heard of Slimming World through a lady at the monthly lunch group I go to. She had been recommended by her doctor and was seeing fantastic results. So, I felt confident that it could work for me too.”

Anne continues: “I’ll always remember the welcome I received from my Consultant, Christine, and the other members in the group, that first day. I was so anxious and worried about being judged about my weight, however, I immediately felt safe and accepted. Being treated with such respect and grace confirmed I’d made the best decision – it’s one of the reasons why I continue to go all these years later.”

On her first day at the group, Anne set the target weight she wanted to achieve and hasn’t looked back since. She says: “I was dreading stepping on the scales and felt ashamed when I saw that I weighed nearly 17st. Christine was great at reassuring me everything was confidential and that nobody would be judging me – and she was right. Everyone in the group was so welcoming and it felt nice to be in a space where everyone was rooting for one another. Listening to everyone talk about their own journeys gave me the encouragement I needed that first week.”

Having left the first group feeling inspired, Anne was able to get stuck straight into Slimming World’s healthy eating plan. She says: “Food Optimising was massive breath of fresh air. I loved how much freedom there was – as there were so many foods I could eat without weighing or counting them – and that I was still eating a balanced diet. I’ve always loved cheese and could easily overindulge at times, so knowing I could still enjoy it, just in measured amounts, made the plan easier to follow – and stick to.”

Anne continues: “Cooking has always brought me joy, and my husband Anthony and I grow our own fruit and vegetables – which we love using to try new recipes from the Slimming World cookbooks I’ve collected over the years. Having fresh, seasonal ingredients at our fingertips, and cooking healthy meals from scratch every day has helped me stay committed to eating well. It makes it more exciting too, I like to experiment with different ways of cooking some of my favourite recipes, like a fish pie or pasta bolognese, too. I also buy a copy of the Slimming World Magazine each month and enjoy picking out different recipes to try, and I love scrolling through the app for new ideas too.”

After reaching her target weight in 2011, and with the help of Slimming World’s Slim for Life plan – a personalised programme designed to help members move confidently from weight loss to weight maintenance – Anne felt she had the structure and support she needed to sustain her weight loss for 14 years. 

Anne says: “Being surrounded by people who genuinely understood what I was going through kept me motivated throughout my journey – especially when I reached my target weight and needed that extra support. My Consultant now, Helen, is great at helping me break down any barriers and finding the right balance to maintain my weight loss – I can enjoy a holiday or a meal out, without worrying about what I’m eating or restricting myself.

Slimming World’s physical activity support programme was a great tool to help Anne maintain her health and stay active well into her 80s. She says: “As I started losing weight, I felt confident enough to get moving at a pace I was comfortable at.

“I used to enjoy cycling and playing tennis – and while those activities have slowed down, I still like to keep active. These days, I spend time gardening and do my exercises in our hot tub each evening. I love swimming too, and I no longer hide away from being seen in my costume. I walk everywhere now, and volunteer at the local village hall, where I help with setting up for different community events. I’ve always enjoyed making my own clothes too, and now I get real sense of joy from wearing the things I make, rather than making clothes for comfort.

“Losing weight has truly set me free – joining Slimming World was the best decision I made for myself. I’m no longer hiding away from photos, I’m wearing more colourful, exciting clothes, and I’m the healthiest and fittest I’ve ever been, even at 82. I want to keep enjoying each day as it comes for as long as I can – and thanks to Slimming World, I feel like I can!”

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

VITAL STATS:

Name: Anne Day 
Age: 82
Height: 5ft 8ins/173cm
Starting weight: 16st 10lbs/234lbs/106.1kg
Current weight: 10st 7.5lbs/147.5lbs/66.9kg
Weight loss: 6st 2.5lbs/86.5lbs/39.2kg   
Dress size before: 24
Dress size now: 14
Date joined Slimming World: April 2010
Date achieved target: June 2011
Time at target: 14 years

Group: Anne attends the Leyburn group, which is run by Consultant Helen Dinsdale, and was previously run by Consultant Christine Spencer and Annette Wing.

Before menu
Breakfast: A large bowl of cereal with milk and sugar, or porridge with golden syrup, or two slices of toast with marmalade or honey
Lunch: Tinned soup or a cheeseboard with chutney or salad with full- fat mayonnaise and bread, and a glass of cider
Dinner: Roast chicken with skin and fat left on, roasted potatoes using oil, butter-coated vegetables
Snacks: Biscuits with black coffee, tea with a piece of cake or a scone with butter and jam, followed with biscuits, homemade fruit crumble with sugar or syrup and ice cream. Glass of white wine or gin and tonic

After menu
Breakfast: Fresh fruit, with wholegrain cereal followed by two fried eggs and sliced tomatoes with a cup of black coffee
Lunch: Homemade vegetable soup or mixed salad, or beans on toast with reduced-fat Cheddar cheese
Dinner: Homemade fish pie or roast dinner, Slimming World chips or beef pasta bolognese using 5% fat beef
Snacks: Black coffee with a biscuit or homegrown fruit with fat-free natural yogurt, non-alcoholic gin or small glass of white wine

From January 2026, members following Slimming World’s healthy eating plan, Food Optimising, will also see the introduction of a healthy fats choice, meaning foods like avocado and nut butters, will be even easier to incorporate into their week and there will be an even greater focus on the health benefits of these foods.

Slimming World’s Managing Director Lisa Salmon says: “Our methods remain largely unchanged since Slimming World was founded by the late Margaret Miles-Bramwell OBE in 1969. Just like Margaret always did, we’re constantly listening to our members, to the Consultants who run our groups and to the latest science to ensure Slimming World remains the most effective and realistic way to achieve lasting weight loss.

“The weight management industry has transformed in recent years – most notably with the rise of weight loss medications – and we believe the role of lifestyle-based solutions like Slimming World is more important than ever. Language matters and we know ‘Syns’ can be misunderstood or be a barrier for some people who want and need support to reach a healthy weight. We want everyone to feel welcome at Slimming World and we hope making this change will help.”

Slimming World’s healthy eating plan has helped millions of people to lose weight over the past 56 years. It’s a flexible plan that’s centred around ‘Free Foods’, foods that are lower in energy density, meaning they have less calories per gram, and highly satisfying, so you can fill up on them for fewer calories.

There are more than 350 basic Free Foods which can be eaten freely to satisfy your appetite, with no need to weigh or measure them. These include lean meats, poultry, fish, plant-based proteins, eggs, beans, fruit and veg, grains, potatoes and pasta.

The plan also encourages slimmers to enjoy measured, daily portions of foods containing essential nutrients to help ensure an overall balanced diet – these are called Healthy Extras. To avoid feelings of deprivation and the need to rebel, no food is banned and those foods that aren’t Free Foods or Healthy Extras can still be enjoyed in more controlled amounts.

From January 2026, those foods that are least satiating and high in energy density – foods like alcohol, crisps, chocolates or everyday essentials (a bit of butter, sauce or gravy with a meal) – will be called Slimming World Individual Picks, or Swips. These foods are important because being able to enjoy your favourite foods without guilt makes the plan easier to stick to, so members can make lasting changes.

Lisa, who joined Slimming World as a member herself more than 30 years ago, says: “Our ethos is – and has always been – about lifting the burden of guilt people feel around food and their weight, and providing a healthy, flexible and realistic way of eating that fits with every lifestyle and can be kept up for the long-term. We’ve had feedback that the word Syn suggested we wanted to make people feel ashamed about eating those higher calorie foods – which couldn’t be further from the truth. However, we recognise the power and impact of words, so while we’ve never wanted to make people feel guilty, ashamed or judged, it was important that we listened and made a change.”

In 2020, Margaret Miles-Bramwell OBE spoke on the Slimming World Podcast about the term Syns. She explained it had originally been ‘sin’, with the organisation’s plan once named the ‘Sin-a-Day plan’, and intended to poke fun at the diets of the time that told people what they should and shouldn’t eat. She told how she changed the term to Syns (short for synergy) to reflect the important balance within the plan in the 2000s because times had changed and the word was creating misconceptions. She was involved in the latest review of terminology, which was completed in collaboration with linguistics specialists and led to the creation of the term Swip, before her death in February 2025.

The terms Body Magic, which refers to Slimming World’s physical activity support programme, and IMAGE Therapy, which stands for Individual Motivation and Group Experience and is currently used to describe the behaviour change support members receive in their weekly Slimming World group, will also be renamed. From January 2026, in a bid to simplify its language, Slimming World will talk instead about Slimming World’s active lifestyle programme and support system. The brand also has a new, fresh logo. 

From the new year, as well as including fibre and calcium-rich foods, Healthy Extras will also encourage the inclusion of healthy fats into members’ diets, such as nuts and nut butters, seeds, avocado and oils. Members will be able to choose three Healthy Extra portions from a list of calcium, fibre and healthy fats choices each day, they will be encouraged to choose a variety of Healthy Extras for overall health, with at least one calcium choice a day to support the intake of this important nutrient.

People following Slimming World’s plan have always been able to enjoy healthy fats as part of their week, with oily fish within Free Foods, nuts and seeds as part of their Healthy Extras, and avocado or oils within their daily Syns allowance. The introduction of the healthy fats choice is intended to put an even greater spotlight on the health benefits of these foods.

Lisa says: “No food has ever been banned at Slimming World and members have always been able to enjoy healthy fats. We hope though that moving these foods to a new Healthy Extra option will increase members’ understanding of healthy eating and better support them to maintain their new eating habits long after they reach their target weight.”

This change has been made following a review of Slimming World’s plan by its Nutrition, Research and Health Department, which comprises a team of dietitians, nutritionists and researchers. It reflects current eating trends and aims to make it even easier for members to fit the plan into their real lives.

Lisa says the changes, which will show on Slimming World’s website and app from mid-December and be updated in its printed member books from December 26^th, 2025, are about making sure the plan continues to fit with modern lifestyles. She adds: “These updates are rooted in science, shaped by what our members tell us and designed to support people of all ages to lose weight in a way that’s healthy, sustainable and works long-term.”

Before joining Slimming World, mother-of-two Helen Dinsdale had been overweight for as long as she could remember. When she was younger, she had a paper round and got excited to spend her earnings on a pack of muffins, that she planned to eat on the way home before anyone could find out. However, one day when she returned to the shop, the manager told her that her mum had asked them not to sell her anything. She says: “My mum was desperately trying to help. It was quite embarrassing though, as my friends were with me when the manager had to refuse serving me.”

Helen, who lives with her husband Mark, son Douglas, 10, and six-year-old daughter, Ruby, had yo-yoed with her weight throughout her adult life and put weight on after both of her pregnancies. She says: “I joined Slimming World to lose weight and live a healthier lifestyle. I never really liked seeing pictures of myself and I found it tricky to find clothes that I liked when out shopping.

“After having my second child, I was making excuses not to help my husband, who’s a farmer, with tasks like rounding up the sheep, as I knew I just wouldn’t have the energy for it. I’d tell him our baby was asleep or that I was already busy when really, I was avoiding getting out of breath and in pain.”

Helen joined the Leyburn Slimming World group in 2018 and hasn’t looked back. She says: “I’d been a Slimming World member in my early 20s, but I didn’t take it seriously and didn’t make the lifestyle changes needed to succeed. This time however, I joined the group that my mum and sister were attending and had a completely different mindset; I was determined and ready to give it my all. Everyone at group, including the Consultant welcomed me straight away and have supported me ever since.”

Helen has since lost 5st 7½lbs (35kg) by following Slimming World’s healthy eating plan and can still eat meals that the whole family likes, such as spaghetti Bolognese and fish and chips.

Helen’s also increased her fitness levels. She says: “Slimming World helped me discover exercise that was suitable for me and that I enjoy. I loved that it fit around my family life too. I now swim laps while my children have their own lessons. I also go to jazz fit sessions regularly and when I’m helping my husband feed the cows and round up the sheep, he’ll be on his quad bike while I run around after them.

“I caught the running bug during lockdown after completing a 5km running challenge. Now, I can run 10 miles without stopping.

“Last year’s Race for Life was especially meaningful. Just three days before, my mum was diagnosed with Myeloma – a type of blood cancer. I ran with her name on my back – it was emotional, and it gave me the strength to complete the race.”

After successfully losing weight with Slimming World, Helen trained to become a Consultant in 2021 to help people achieve their own weight loss goals. She now runs the Slimming World group in Leyburn every Wednesday.

Slimming World’s physical activity support programme helps members to find an exercise and fits their lifestyle. Slimming World is an official sponsor for Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life 2025 and has been working with the charity for more than a decade, helping to raise more than £25m in fundraising.

Inspired by Helen’s story? Sign up for your local 2026 Race for Life and help fund life-saving cancer research.  To find out more, visit raceforlife.org     

Carolyn Pallister, Registered Dietitian and Head of Nutrition, Research & Health at Slimming World, says: “We have long been calling on the Government to commit to legislation to support supermarkets in promoting healthier choices to customers. In 2019, we published research highlighting how supermarket layout, pricing strategies and the shopping environment contribute to the UK's rising obesity levels."

The Health on the Shelf report published in 2019 by the Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH) and Slimming World, exposed marketing tactics used to drive sales of unhealthy products. It also revealed that over one third (36%) of shoppers reported that they impulse purchased unhealthy products because they are on special offer, and one in five said supermarkets cause them to go off track when attempting to lose weight. 

A survey of over 2,000 slimmers following Slimming World’s eating plan online or attending a local weekly group undertaken at the time of the report, found that since becoming a Slimming World member, 86% had changed the way they shop. 

The report recommended the Government adopted a set of key principles to apply to all major supermarket retailers, and we’re pleased to see similar suggestions being made in this week’s announcement, including: 

• Greater allocation of shelf space to healthier products, based on the Government’s EatWell Guide; 
• Explore the introduction of a healthy rating scheme, similar to the FSA’s Food Hygiene Rating Scheme ‘scores on the doors’, based on the proportion of healthy and unhealthy products stocked. 

Carolyn continues: “For the last two years, obesity strategy has focused almost entirely on weight loss drugs with little acknowledgement of other treatment options or major contributors towards obesity, such as the environment in which we live.  

“Weight loss drugs are undoubtedly changing the obesity landscape, but without support to make lasting changes, people taking the drugs will inevitably regain the weight they’ve lost once they stop. People need support to make life-long healthy habits around food and drink  – including their shopping habits – and their activity. There needs to be adequate, evidence-based support for people who don’t want to, or can’t, take the drugs. 

"We are calling on the Government to go further and not only tackle environmental factors but commit to a range of treatment options available to healthcare professionals for their patients, not just drugs, to support people to lose weight and help to alleviate pressures on the NHS caused by obesity-related health conditions.  

“We would welcome the opportunity to meet with the Department of Health and Social Care to talk about our commitment to support the Government in helping people whose lives are adversely impacted by obesity.” 

The annual event sees Slimming World group members, Consultants and employees, across the UK and Ireland, donate items – including things they’ve slimmed out of – to Cancer Research UK and the Irish Cancer Society.

Marie Gregory, who works as a Planning Manager within the Stock and Distribution team, was crowned Slimming World’s Head Office Employee of the Year 2024 at the company’s annual in-house awards ceremony. Marie was nominated by colleagues who described her as inspiring and motivational.

Marie, 44, who lives with her partner Dave in Chesterfield, and has worked at Slimming World for 14 years, says: “I look forward to the Clothes Throw each year. I love to see the warehouse turn purple with all of the charity donation bags! I’m always blown away by the enthusiasm and commitment from my colleagues – they really pull it out of the bag each year.

Slimming World’s Deputy Marketing Manager Clare Lee says: “The Big Slimming World Clothes Throw just gets bigger and better! We’re delighted to see members and Consultants getting stuck in each year.

“Over the years, Slimming World has raised more than £25m million for Cancer Research UK through a variety of campaigns, including supporting the Race for Life event series.

“We hope that through our continued partnership with the charity, we’ll not only raise an incredible amount to support vital research, but we’ll also help raise awareness that maintaining a healthy weight reduces people’s risk of developing 13 types of cancer and other health conditions.”

Every year, around 28,800 people are diagnosed with cancer in the East Midlands.* Eve Mitchell, Associate Director, Supporter Relationship Management, at Cancer Research UK, paid tribute to Slimming Word employees for their commitment to the cause.

She said: “In the last 50 years alone, our work has helped double cancer survival in the UK. But there’s so much more to do. Our vision is a world where everybody lives longer, better lives, free from the fear of cancer and step by step, day by day, our researchers are making this a reality thanks to the dedication of our supporters and partners, like Slimming World. We hope they’re proud of the difference they’re making.”

Notes to Editors

* Based on the average annual number of new cases of all cancers combined excluding non-melanoma skin cancer (ICD10 C00-C97 excluding C44) diagnosed in the East Midlands Region of England in 2018, 2019 and 2021. Source: ONS, Cancer registration statistics, 2018, England, Accessed February 2024. https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/cancer-registration-statistics-england-2018-final-release

NHS Digital, Cancer registration statistics, 2019 and 2021, England, Accessed February 2024. https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/cancer-registration-statistics   

"It should not come as a surprise that people put weight back on once they stop taking the drugs. With all weight loss methods, if you go back to what you were consuming before, you will regain the weight you’ve lost, and in some cases, sadly more.

"At Slimming World, we strongly believe it's vitally important that wraparound care for any weight loss drugs both supports healthy lifestyle changes around food, drink and physical activity in the moment, and helps people create long-lasting habits that they can maintain well after they stop taking medication.

"While we know that a healthy weight can be achieved, and maintained for life, without taking any medication, our wraparound support is open to all adults, including those who have chosen to take weight loss drugs. We have a growing number of people online and in our groups, who’ve come to us after starting to use the drugs as they understand the importance of making healthy changes alongside them. 

"We differ from weight loss drugs and other weight loss methods in many ways. Our philosophy is based on a deep understanding of how people with a weight problem feel. We believe in the importance of a multi-component approach to weight loss, which is why we offer our members a healthy eating plan, an active lifestyle programme and behaviour change support. We support our members, both in our groups and via our online service, with sophisticated techniques rooted in psychology to help them understand themselves, their triggers and their own personal barriers, and we equip them with tools and strategies to develop lasting, self-determined healthy habits, achieve their weight loss goals and maintain them.

"Slimming World has been a long-time provider to the NHS, through its referral programme which provides people living with overweight or obesity with access to a 12-week weight loss plan via Slimming World, and the NHS Digital Weight Management Programme. An independent economic evaluation by the University of Leeds also found that, Slimming World on Referral, is cost-effective against the standards set by NICE at 12 months and over a lifetime.

"Weight loss drugs have, of course, changed the weight management landscape, but they are a costly method of postponing an ongoing issue, with the knowledge that, without the right support for lasting change, they’re only a temporary solution and not the silver bullet many people have viewed them as.

“If the Government continues to invest huge sums of money into weight loss drugs, they need to ensure they go hand-in-hand with effective wraparound care which supports people to change both their habits around diet and activity, and their mindset so they can be confident they’re spending taxpayers’ money in a way that will provide a return on investment.”

By running the marathon, Ben aimed to raise awareness of how healthy eating and moving more can protect our physical and brain health. According to Alzheimer’s Research UK’s ‘Think Brain Health’ campaign, being active is one of several ways people can help protect brain health and reduce their risk of dementia in later life. 

Creative Video Director Ben, 53, from Nottingham, says: “The London Marathon is an event like no other and I feel privileged to have been able to represent Slimming World this year and raise money for Alzheimer's Research UK. 

This is the third time Ben has taken on the iconic marathon. He commented: “There’s something remarkable about running the world-renowned London Marathon, but this year felt extra special. My fellow teammates have lost more than an astounding 81st (514kg) between them. 

“Hearing about their weight-loss journeys, and how in some cases, they’d never exercised before, but were now training for the marathon, was truly inspirational. It makes me so proud to be part of an organisation that really does change people’s lives.” 

Ben joined Slimming World in 2022 and has taken part in a number of fundraising initiatives over the years to raise money for the organisation’s charity partners. He says: “From quizzes and race nights to book sales, we’re always looking for new and exciting ways at Head Office to have fun and raise money. The amount of support my colleagues have shown me in the run up to the marathon has been staggering. 

“It’s been a delight to have been a part of this year’s team of inspirational runners and I’m so proud of us all for crossing the finish line – especially on such a hot day!” 

Paul Glazier, Head of Corporate Partnerships at Alzheimer’s Research UK said:  “We’re incredibly grateful to Ben and the Slimming World team for going the distance to support Alzheimer’s Research UK at the 2025 London Marathon. Taking on 26.2 miles is no small feat, and Ben’s commitment to reach the finish line and his fundraising goal is truly inspiring. 

“If nothing changes, one in two of us will be directly affected by dementia – either by caring for someone with the condition, developing it ourselves, or both. Research is our only chance to change this. And thanks to people like Ben, and the Slimming World community, we are stepping closer to a cure.” 
 

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 

The 33-year-old’s story comes as a new 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.

Kim, from Ilkeston in Derbyshire, works at Nottingham’s Queen’s Medical Centre. She says: “Being on my feet all the time, I’d be exhausted after a shift and I was constantly out of breath. My weight affected family life too. I’ll never forget one holiday when I was too embarrassed to go on a waterslide with my boys, Jax, who’s now seven, and Grayson, who’s five. I could see by their little faces, they were so disappointed. It was heartbreaking.

“Then when I was out with my friends one night, I fell and broke my leg. Being unable to move, I gained more weight than ever. That’s when my mum, Sharon, suggested we join Slimming World together. Mum only joined with me for support, and she’s gone on to lose 2st. When my sister Charlotte saw the plan working for us, she joined the group too and now she’s lost 4st, so we’re 16st lighter in total! We love swapping recipes and cooking together.

“My relationship with food has completely changed! I make healthier versions of all my favourite meals – I don’t cook in oil anymore and now I always buy lean meat. It’s been easy to adapt our family meals so we can all eat the same thing. Our favourite dinner is Slimming World's Chilli Con Carne – we all love it, especially the boys!

“Before, a weekly highlight for me was our regular Friday and Saturday night takeaways with all the family, with plenty of beer or wine. I’d never think about the calories we were consuming – I don’t think any of us did! We still have our family takeaway nights now, but we all enjoy healthier versions – ‘fakeaways’ – our favourite is Slimming World chicken kebab with Slimming World chips. My partner, Anthony, has lost 2st just from eating the same meals as me.

“Before losing weight, like many people, I came across all sorts of quick fixes, fad diets and even weight loss medications. While weight loss injections will appeal to some people, I was personally worried about how they might affect my health and impact my whole lifestyle. I’ve always loved food and sharing meals with my family. In the past, my health issues made it hard to enjoy those moments, as I often struggled with heartburn. For me, Slimming World has been the perfect match – it fits into my life, allows me to enjoy food and eat the same meals as my family, and has helped me to lose weight and improve my health.”

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.

Kim, who’s gone from a size 22 to a size 12, says: “The weekly group support has been a game-changer for me. Being around other people who get it is makes all the difference. The strategies I’ve learned and all the encouragement has kept me motivated when I might have struggled if I was finding my own way. I still enjoy going out with my friends at the weekends, and I’ve learned how to make healthier choices around my food and drink to still have a great time. I’ll make sure I’ve got something ready and waiting for when I get in, so I’m not tempted to reach for the late-night snacks! I’ve even inspired a friend to join Slimming World after they saw how well it works for me.

“Life now is so much easier. I don’t get breathless like I used to and I’m not exhausted after a shift. We recently went to Menorca and I made sure I went on every waterslide with the boys – Jax was so chuffed and I had so much fun!”

From not being active at all, Kim’s now a regular at the gym: “I didn’t even walk anywhere before – then I heard about Slimming World’s activity programme, and it gave me the confidence to get active at my own pace. Slimming World showed me that by choosing something you enjoy, it’s easier to keep it up. I recently swam a 25k swim challenge for Cancer Research raising just under £400.”

Sam Sisson is Kim’s Slimming World Consultant. Sam says: “I’m so proud of Kim – she’s lost weight by eating nutritious, real food that fits around her lifestyle. The fact that she’s been able to lose weight while enjoying meals with her friends and family just shows that you can reach the weight or size you want to be by eating the food you love! I get so much pleasure seeing new members being amazed they can lose weight without feeling like they’re missing out or having to stop socialising.”

Group: Kim attends the Kirk Hallam Slimming World group in Derbyshire.

Kim Quigley

Starting weight: 20st 9lbs/ 131kg

Weight lost: 9st 10lbs/ 61.6kg

Current weight: 10st 13lbs/ 69.4kg

Height: 5ft 3in

BEFORE

Breakfast: Sugary cereal breakfast bar

Mid-morning: Biscuits, usually around six custard creams  

Lunch: Shop-bought meal deal triple sandwich with mayo, bag of crisps and a chocolate bar  

Dinner: Lasagne with garlic bread, oven chips and every Friday and Saturday a large selection of Chinese takeaway

Dessert: Chocolate bar

Drinks: 2 litres of diet cola daily, tea with two sugars, white wine, beer

AFTER

Breakfast: Fresh fruit salad topped with fat free yoghurt

Lunch: Jacket potato with tuna and salad or a homemade sandwich on wholemeal bread, with a small bag of crisps

Dinner: Chilli con carne with rice or chicken kebabs with Slimming World chips and salad

Snacks: Two high fibre cereal bars, chocolate bar, fruit

Drinks: Chilled water, couple of cans of diet cola, glass of white wine, juice with no added sugar, tea with sweetener

[1] A self-selecting sample of 2,005 Slimming World members were polled via Slimming World’s member website between 21^st and 24^th March 2025

[2] Data relates to a nationally representative sample of 2,000 UK adults surveyed between 21st to 24th March 2025

A poll of 2,000 adults[1] revealed seven in 10 discuss it daily for up to an average of eight minutes, with 21% saying they discuss their evening meal with coworkers every day.

Gen Z discuss what’s for dinner the most, with 29 per cent of those aged 18-24 admitting to having three or four different conversations about their evening meal each day.

More than six in 10 (62 per cent) of those polled say they’re ‘food lovers’ and when it comes to our favourite meals, a roast dinner came out on top – ahead of spaghetti Bolognese and fish and chips.

Home-cooked meals bring joy to 85 per cent of us, 79 per cent love sharing meals with loved ones and 71 per cent say they love to cook from scratch knowing they’re building healthy habits.

The survey found that 6:28pm is when the UK sits down to eat and for 63% of us, it’s taste that rules the dinner table.

Carolyn says: "The good news is, despite what people may fear, losing weight doesn’t mean giving up that joy. 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 suppressing 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 sustainable changes to our food, physical activity, and mindset.

“At Slimming World, our healthy eating plan encourages members to eat nutritious, real food that fits around their lifestyle, so they can enjoy meals together as a family or with friends. It’s such a joy to see time and again our new members being amazed that they can lose weight without feeling like they’re missing out or having to stop socialising. When we surveyed our members, 85% told us they were surprised they could lose weight while still eating foods they loved.”

With over 55 years expertise in helping people lose weight and transform their lives, Slimming World offers an inclusive, non-judgemental community for everyone – including those who may be using weight loss medications or have had weight loss surgery. Carolyn says: “Whatever way someone chooses to lose weight we’d always encourage them to get support to make lasting changes. They’d never be judged at Slimming World if they joined to get that support."

Despite more weight loss drugs now being available, 69 per cent of adults surveyed would be unlikely to take them according to the OnePoll.com data. Of those, 25 per cent say they don’t want to change the way they eat, drink and socialise, 21 per cent worried they wouldn’t be getting the nutrition they need for good health and 20 per cent say they love their food too much.

A separate One Poll member survey of Slimming World’s 13,000 community weight loss groups and online programme[2] found that 89 per cent love losing weight while getting all the nutrients they need. Over three quarters (77 per cent) of members questioned now make healthy, nutritious, filling meals that the whole family enjoys and 76 per cent feel proud that they’re passing on healthy habits to their families. More than half (56 per cent) report being surprised at how quickly they’ve lost weight since joining Slimming World.

[1] Data relates to a nationally representative sample of 2,000 UK adults surveyed between 21st to 24th March 2025

[2] A self-selecting sample of 2,005 Slimming World members were polled via Slimming World’s member website between 21^st and 24^th March 2025

Give a huge round of applause for our incredible 2025 team…

Slimming World's 2023 Greatest Loser winner, Adam Henley, who has lost 20st 4lbs.

Craig Stokes, from Bournemouth, who has lost 11st 5 ½lbs with the Queen’s Park Slimming World group in Bournemouth.

Daniel Wells and his Consultant Julie Edwards, who will be taking on the challenge together. Daniel has lost 4st and Julie has lost 2st 2lbs. 

Slimming World Head Office Creative Video Director Ben Newth.

Member Hollie Oxtoby, who has lost 6st 13lbs.

Matthew Paul, who has lost 5st 8lbs with the Glenrothes Baptist Church Slimming World group.

Slimming World Consultant Wayne Wilson, who has lost 2st 7lbs and runs his own groups in Tyne and Wear.

Kelly Davies, from Newport, who has lost 8st. 

Slimming World District Manager Danielle Arins, who has lost 3st 7lbs. 

Slimming World Consultant Maria Williams, who has lost 8st 1 ½lbs and runs her own Slimming World group in Burry Port, Wales.

Member Llinos Hubbard, who has lost 1st 5lbs.

Slimming World Consultant Jenny Buckley, who has lost 4st 3 ½lbs  and runs her own groups in Kilkenny and County Waterford.

Member Chelsea Bradwick, who has lost 4st 12lbs with the the Canolfan Teulu Seren Fach Slimming World group.

Kenny Higgins, 48, says he recorded a ‘goodbye message’ for his loved ones after being rushed to hospital. He’s since lost 22st – nearly two thirds of his body weight – and won the title of Slimming World’s Greatest Loser 2025 – awarded to the member with the biggest weight loss within the organisation’s 13,000 groups.

Kenny, who at his heaviest weighed 34st 7lbs, says: “I was always the ‘biggest’ kid at school and was bullied because of it – and it only continued to get worse as I got older.

“I was barely living before joining Slimming World. I was too scared to leave the house, and when I did, it was usually for one of my many visits to the hospital. I reached a point where all my health problems became too overwhelming. The extra weight I was carrying caused so much pain in my joints, I could barely walk down the road without struggling. On top of that, I suffered from severe back pain, my asthma was out of control and I was constantly battling chest infections.”

While Kenny had tried various weight-loss methods in the past, nothing worked for him long-term. He says: “I had been referred to nutritionists and other weight-loss groups through my doctor in the past, however I never felt like I was getting any actual support. In the end I’d revert back to my old habits and would be back at square one in no time. I’d been a Slimming World member ten years ago and lost 17st. While it was working well for me, unfortunately life got in the way, and I stopped going to the group and found it hard to keep going without their support.”

The turning point for Kenny this time came when he collapsed while he was shopping with his then six-year-old daughter. Kenny says: “I was rushed to hospital and the doctors told me I was the verge of having a heart attack. I was initially put on a ‘Do Not Resuscitate’ order because they didn’t believe I’d be able to survive. By some miracle, I managed to pull through. This was the wakeup call I needed to make a change – and this time, for good.”

A few weeks later, Kenny’s friend Bev Houlihan encouraged him to joined Slimming World again and together they headed to a group in Blackpool. He says: “I was worried I’d be judged for regaining the weight I’d lost all those years ago, but I needn’t have been. My Consultant Natalie helped me look at the positives and reminded me that as I’d done it once before, I could do it again – and that’s stuck with me throughout my whole journey.”

Kenny set a weight he wanted to achieve and hasn’t looked back since. He says: “Being able to chat to some of the other members about their journeys gave me the boost I needed to stay hopeful, especially in those early weeks. I was so lonely before joining my group, and for the first time in a long time, I felt part of a community of people who understood me – it was the best feeling knowing that everyone is genuinely rooting for you. We help keep each other accountable too — something I know I’d struggle with on my own.”

Having been a member before, Kenny was able to embrace the healthy eating plan right away. He says: “In the beginning, I felt too embarrassed to go to the shops in case I couldn’t manage the walk. So, instead, I did an online food shop and stocked up on some meals from the Slimming World Free Food range, from my local Iceland store, to get me through the days when cooking wasn’t an option. And as I started losing weight and feeling more confident – both in myself and in the kitchen – I began walking to the shops to pick up the ingredients to make my own version of some of my favourite meals, like the Chicken Madras, from scratch, in the air fryer. I’ll still keep a bag of Slimming World Chips in the freezer for those days when I need something quick to throw in with my dinner.

“To this day, one of the things I love most about Food Optimising is that I never feel restricted, and that I can enjoy tasty, real food that I actually want to eat – like a lasagne or chicken curry. So many weight loss methods focus on limiting what you eat or suppressing your appetite, but I know that wouldn’t have worked for me at all. With Slimming World, I’ve learned how to consume fewer calories in a way that doesn’t make me feel deprived – quite the opposite in fact, I’d say I enjoy food more nowadays.

“Looking back, I realise I used food as a source of comfort, and lived on takeaways and junk food. I used to spend a minimum of £140 a week on takeaways, when I stopped getting them the takeaway owner actually contacted me to check I was okay. Now, I have a better relationship with food and make sure I’m filling myself with healthier, more nutritious food.”

With the help of Slimming World’s physical activity support programme, Kenny was able to steadily incorporate more activity into his day. He says: “At the start, I couldn’t even entertain the idea of any exercise. As time went on though, I noticed I had more energy and began walking. Each week I’d walk for a little longer, and now I can easily walk five miles a day. I recently started running too, and I’m working my way up to a 5k.”

Since joining Slimming World, Kenny’s life has transformed and he’s excited about making new memories. He says: “My health has improved dramatically. I’m able to move now without being in crippling pain, and I’m no longer dependent on other people to help me get by. I also don’t have to think twice about simple tasks that once felt impossible – like doing my food shopping or tying my shoelaces. I used to fear going out in public before, now one of my favourite things to do is treating myself to a nice coffee from my local coffee shop – being able to fit in the chairs comfortably is the best feeling too.”

Kenny continues: “I wanted to be the best dad I could be for my children, and now I can be the version they deserve. I've finally found that silver lining that people talked about – this is just the beginning for me.”

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

VITAL STATS
Name: Kenny Higgins 
Age: 48
Height: 5ft 5ins/165.1cm
Starting weight: 34st 7lbs/219.1kg/483lbs      
Current weight: 12st 7lbs/79.4kg/175lbs
Weight loss: 22st/139.7kg/308lbs
Waist size before: 70in/177.8cm
Waist size now: 38in/96.5cm
Joined current Slimming World group: April 2023

Group: Kenny attends the Blackpool Slimming World group, which is ran by Consultant Natalie Meadows

Before menu
Breakfast: Bacon and sausages on two white bread rolls
Lunch: A takeaway or snacks like chocolate and cake  
Dinner: Chinese takeaway or two large pizzas from the local takeaway
Snacks: Chocolates, energy drinks, lemon meringue pie

After menu
Breakfast: Fresh fruit like, apple and mixed berries, with fat-free Greek yogurt
Lunch: Jacket potato with beans & cheese or chilli
Dinner: Homemade chicken curry or Slimming World Lasagne from the Slimming World food range with veg
Snacks: Slimming World Triple Choc Hi-fi bars, fat-free crème fraiche with raspberries and mini meringues  

– ends –

The news that they’re preparing to file for bankruptcy in the coming months means that another lifestyle-based weight loss programme could be removed from the range of options for people wanting to lose weight in this country – and health professionals wanting to support that.

Weight loss drugs are not the silver bullet for obesity. A poll of 2,000 UK adults, conducted for us by Censuswide late last year, found that 70% weren’t interested in or said they weren’t sure if they’d use weight loss injections. Healthcare professionals need a full range of treatment choices for people without medicalising obesity as the first and only (and costly) option.

Furthermore, everyone losing weight – with or without weight loss drugs – needs support to make changes to their diet, activity and mindset. And despite living in an increasingly digital age, people enjoy and benefit from the sense of community that comes with being part of an in-person group to receive that support.

We at Slimming World have stood firm in our tried, tested and trusted approach based around this and want to reassure anyone feeling upset and uncertain at the potential end of a long-standing weight loss organisation, that we’re not going anywhere."

Hollie says: “During lockdown, there was so little to do that eating and drinking became ways to fill my time. I’d spend money on food without thinking of what it was doing to my bank balance or my body. Before I joined Slimming World, I’d drive everywhere and eat whatever I chose – it was easier to pay for a takeaway each Friday night rather than cook.

“I remember promising myself that when I hit a size 16, I would lose weight, but it never happened and when I joined Slimming World, I was wearing a size 22/24. Being overweight meant that I couldn’t move as freely as I wanted to or wear the clothes I liked in the shops. I always tried to dress nicely and take pride in my appearance no matter my size, but deep down I knew I wasn’t wearing the style of clothes I really wanted to wear and it affected my confidence.”

It was when Hollie’s friend Emma asked her if she wanted to join their local Slimming World group together that everything changed.

She says: “The first time I went to the group was daunting as I didn’t know what to expect. I’d tried Slimming World before but only ever online as I was always too scared to sit in a room and face the scales each week. I didn’t have anything to worry about though, my Consultant put me at ease straight away and I immediately knew I’d made a step in the right direction.”

Hollie has since lost 6st 13lbs (44kg) following Slimming World’s flexible healthy eating plan and is still able to enjoy her favourite meals like a roast dinner and lasagna.

She continues: “I was amazed with how much I was able to eat without feeling like I was on a diet or restricting my favourite foods. Being able to still make delicious meals like an Indian ‘fakeaway’ and lose weight has been a game-changer. I don’t feel like I’m missing out on the joy of food as I can still go out for dinner with my family or meet my friends for coffee dates and feel confident that I have the knowledge to keep up healthy habits.

Alongside her weight loss success, Hollie has also increased her activity levels with Slimming World’s Body Magic physical activity support programme.

She says: “Before Slimming World I very rarely did exercise as I made the excuse that I didn’t have the time and I didn’t want to buy new sports clothes. Discovering the physical activity programme made me realise that I could make progress at my own pace with movement that I enjoy. After losing three and a half stone, I joined my local running club as they were supporting people who wanted to get into running at a steady rate by following the Couch to 5k programme. I soon realised I’d found an exercise that I loved and started to build my distance and stamina.”

As well as donating the clothes she has slimmed out of to Cancer Research UK as part of the Big Slimming World Clothes Throw, Hollie is aiming to increase awareness of how maintaining a healthy weight and staying active can improve people’s health and help reduce the risk of 13 different types of cancer, by taking on the 2025 London Marathon.

She says: “I’ll be running this year’s marathon as part of the Slimming World team and in aid of Cancer Research UK, a charity very close to my heart. My cousin was diagnosed with a form of blood cancer in 2023 at the age of 36. It affected his spine and he now uses a wheelchair. This is a very rare form of cancer in people under 40 and is not curable but seeing how far he has come is incredibly inspiring – he’s now at the point where he is able to have a car and finally have some independence. I want to do everything I can, like running the marathon and donating any clothes I no longer wear, to help such an important charity support families like mine.”

The Slimming World London Marathon team will be raising funds for Cancer Research UK, the Irish Cancer Society and Alzheimer’s Research UK, Slimming World’s official charity partners.

Slimming World Consultant Claire Hoyle, who runs the group in Beverley that Hollie attends each week, says: “Hollie always brings enthusiasm and light to group each week. She never hesitates to get involved in discussions and is a great listener and cheerleader to her fellow members, so it doesn’t come as a surprise that she jumped at the chance to run the London Marathon and participate in the Big Slimming World Clothes Throw! She’s an inspiration to us all and we can’t wait to cheer her on in April!”

Slimming World has raised more than £25 million for Cancer Research UK’s life-saving research through a variety of campaigns including The Big Slimming World Clothes Throw and supporting the charity’s Race for Life event series.

Last year, Slimming World members, Consultants and head office staff raised £2.9m for Cancer Research UK through The Big Slimming World Clothes Throw by donating clothes they’d slimmed out of to the charity’s shops.

A moment of silence was held as the car paused outside the front doors of the main building. 

From there, the cortege continued to The Cathedral Church of All Saints, Derby, for a service led by The Very Reverend Dr Peter Robinson, Dean of Derby.

Tributes were given during the service by her son Dominic Miles for the family, former Slimming World Chief Executive Officer Caryl Richards, and Margaret’s friend and trusted colleague Cenk Efe on behalf of the Mallorca community.

Unfortunately, the Cathedral isn’t large enough to accommodate the many thousands of people who wanted to say farewell to Margaret, so Slimming World also hosted guests at its head office and the service was live streamed to enable people to watch from its training suites. 

Following the service, a private farewell was held for family and close friends.

Margaret passed away on Sunday 2^nd February in Mallorca, surrounded by family, aged 76.

Margaret is succeeded by her loving children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was the proud owner of several successful businesses in Mallorca and the UK, including Slimming World – the UK’s leading weight-management organisation.

Margaret started Slimming World aged 21 and her determination to help people shed the burden of excess weight without shame or guilt has seen it grow from a single group in 1969. It now employs around 500 people at its head office and 3,500 self-employed Consultants run groups up and down the UK and Ireland each week. The company supports around 700,000 members to reach the size and weight they want to be via its groups and online service.   

Born in April 1948, Margaret was handed an OBE in 2009 by the then-Prince of Wales, King Charles, for services to the health of the British public and her charitable work. She set up the charitable foundation SMILES in 1997, which has since raised more than £30 million. Over the years, she’s been dedicated to supporting the NSPCC (of whom she became a patron), Barnardo’s, Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital, Cancer Research UK and the Irish Cancer Society. In 2019, Margaret committed Slimming World to a charitable partnership with Alzheimer’s Research UK.

Having had her academic career cut short, Margaret was particularly delighted to be granted an honorary degree from the University of Derby in 2010. She was named Business Woman of the Year at the National Business Women’s Awards in 2023, and earlier this year Margaret was a Top 100 Influential People winner – established to recognise leaders in their respective fields.

On behalf of Margaret’s trusted director team, Lisa Salmon, Slimming World’s Managing Director, says: “We will never forget your friendship, your wicked sense of humour, the fun we had, your kindness, your straight talking or your single-minded devotion to giving nothing but the best to Slimming World’s members, Consultants and staff.

“What you achieved in 76 years was nothing short of magnificent. At the age of just 21, you knew that there had to be a better way to help people lose weight – one based on care, compassion and empowerment, not humiliation and shame. The methods you created, based on your deep understanding of the burden of being overweight, were (and still are) revolutionary, and they changed the face of weight management.”

Since her death, tributes have poured in from across the globe from people whose lives have been changed by Margaret and her quest to create a kinder world for people wanting to lose weight:

“The decision Margaret made 55 years ago to help others lead the life they wanted has meant I have had years added on to mine to share with my family.” Nick Furlong, Slimming World Icon 2025, who lost 6st (38kg) with his local Slimming World group in Woodhatch, Surrey.

“It is a rare thing for someone to have positively impacted the lives of so many and leave such a legacy of kindness behind.” Harriet Peacock, Slimming World’s Greatest Loser 2022, who lost more than 20st (127kg).

“Her vision and dedication have helped raise an incredible £20+ million for life-saving cancer research, funding work that will continue to change lives for years to come.” Philip Almond, Executive Director of Marketing, Fundraising and Engagement at Cancer Research UK.

“As well as giving me the opportunity to feel better about myself, she gave me the chance to build a career that has lasted 25 years.” Paula Grant, a Slimming World Consultant in Liverpool.

“Margaret created a culture at Slimming World that prioritises care, respect and personal growth. I personally owe so much of my success and the person I am today to her belief in me – something I’ll never forget.” Slimming World’s Deputy Marketing Manager Clare Lee, who has worked at the organisation’s head office for more than 25 years.

“The world has lost a powerhouse. Margaret was bold, a rebel, funny, caring and she truly understood people.” Mary Watkins, a Slimming World Consultant from Crowborough, East Sussex.

“You have changed millions of lives for the better, with your insight on how building a community achieves incredible things.” Carolann Hicks, Slimming World Woman of the Year 2022, who lost 12st 9lbs (80.2kg).

"Margaret’s decision to make Alzheimer’s Research UK a Slimming World charity partner has meant so much to us. Her kindness and commitment have left a lasting impact on our journey towards a cure for dementia, bringing hope to many." Hilary Evans-Newton, Alzheimer’s Research UK Chief Executive.

At Margaret’s request, donations to Blood Cancer UK can be made at margaretwhittaker.muchloved.com

Steven Little, 40, from Norwich, made the life-changing decision to join his local Slimming World group following a heartbreaking experience during a dream trip to Florida in 2016, when he was unable to fit on a theme park ride. Steven says: “I’d always wanted to go to Florida and all the big theme parks. But when I got on the Harry Potter ride at Universal Studios, I pulled at the harness and immediately thought ‘this won’t fasten.’ Despite yanking and pulling at it, it would not budge, and I just couldn't get it to click into place. I was so embarrassed when I was asked to leave the ride.”

Steven had struggled with his weight since childhood and says the incident brought back feelings of insecurity from his younger years: “I always felt like the odd one out, like I didn’t fit in or wasn’t good enough, and that all came flooding back. I was determined to make a change for good after that.”

On his return from America, Steven looked up his local Slimming World group and went along. He says the group was nothing like he expected it to be, including when he heard about Slimming World’s healthy eating plan. Steven says: “My experiences of trying to lose weight had always involved restricting myself, which I could never sustain for long. I’d always go back to how I’d been eating before and end up putting on even more weight.

“I expected Slimming World would be the same, but as soon as my Consultant Karen told me I’d be able to eat my favourite foods like steak and chips and still lose weight, I was hooked. I went away that week and made simple changes like choosing lean meat and not cooking in oil. I ate real, hearty meals and wondered if it was too good to be true. In my first week I lost 8lbs and I couldn’t believe it. I thought to myself, I can actually do this.

As well as making changes to his diet, Steven also embraced Slimming World’s physical activity support programme, which encourages members to increase the amount of movement they do at a pace that’s right for them.

Steven says: “A few of the members at my Slimming World group started a walking group in Cromer and I asked if I could join them. We get our steps in and talk about life, and we’ve all become such good friends. Exercise always use to feel like a chore to me, but this is social time, so it doesn’t feel like that at all, and I look forward to it every week.”

Since losing weight, Steven returned to Florida and made unforgettable memories for all the right reasons second time around – he fit comfortably on all the rides. He says: “That moment in Florida was a real wake-up call for me, but I didn’t know then how that awful experience was going to change my life forever. Being able to return and reflect on that – as well as go on every single ride – was the most amazing feeling.”

Steven’s weight loss has not only transformed his health and confidence, it’s also inspired a new career. Alongside continuing to sell seafood, he has trained to become a Slimming World Consultant and now runs four groups across Norwich. He says: “I felt so passionate about Slimming World and what it did for me, I wanted to shout it from the rooftops – and still do. So when I got the opportunity to take over my local Slimming World group I jumped at the chance and now I support more than 400 members at my groups each week. Being able to help others find the same happiness and self-belief that I have is the most rewarding job.”

Steven has now maintained his weight loss for more than eight years and his achievement has earned him the title of Slimming World’s Top Target Consultant 2025. Steven says: “We’re bombarded with different weight loss methods nowadays, especially on social media. So many of these companies promise the earth, and a quick fix sounds really appealing when we're desperate to lose weight, but it’s so important to find a way that will help you to make lasting changes that fit into your real life. Getting support is absolutely crucial too, because losing weight isn’t easy – if it was so many of us wouldn’t be overweight. Slimming World gave me the tools and support to lose weight in a way that worked for me and I’m proof that you can lose weight and keep it off.”

Slimming World has 3,500 Consultants across the UK and Ireland who have all been members themselves, so they, like Steven, understand how it feels to be on a weight loss journey. To find out more about becoming a Consultant, visit: Become a Slimming World Consultant | Slimming World

You can view a video of Steven’s story, here.

Name: Steven Little

Age: 40

Height: 6"

Starting weight: 20st 10lbs/131.54kg

Current weight: 14st 5lbs/91.1kg

Weight loss: 6st 3lbs/39.4kg

Waist size before: 40"

Waist size now: 32"

Date joined Slimming World: April 2016

Before menu

Breakfast: Fast food sausage and egg muffin with a hash brown or a sausage bap from burger van

Lunch: Meal deal - triple sandwich, crisps and cola or sandwich on white bread with crisps.

Dinner: Take away kebab and chips, breaded chicken and oven chips or steak and chips

Snacks: Crisps, ice-cream, pork pies, sausage rolls, biscuits.

After menu

Breakfast: Wholemeal breakfast muffin, Slimming World sausage patties (available from Iceland, The Food Warehouse or Dunnes Stores), homemade  hash brown made in the air fryer, mushrooms and onions

Lunch:  Poke bowl - sushi rice, smoked salmon, pickled white slaw, roasted red peppers, pickled pink onions

Dinner: Steak with visible fat removed, Slimming World-style chips with mixed leaves, vine tomatoes, peppers and onions

Snacks:  Fat-free yogurts, apples, strawberries, grapes, Hula Hoop puffs, triple chocolate high fibre cereal bar.

Mum of two Marianna Demetriades, 43, from Enfield, Middlesex, was told by her GP that she was a ‘heart attack waiting to happen’. She took those words seriously and joined her local Slimming World group that same week. It was a decision that’s changed her life as she’s gone on to lose 7st and never felt better.

She says: “In March 2022 weighing 17st 7lbs, I had the biggest wakeup call of my life. Having just turned 40, I was invited to attend an NHS health check-up. I knew the doctor was going to tell me I was overweight, yet I wasn’t ready for his diagnosis. I remember it so clearly, he said, “I need to be honest with you, if you don’t lose weight, you’re going to develop type 2 diabetes, thyroid problems and high cholesterol.” He went on to say that based on my weight and height – I'm 5ft 1in – I was a heart attack waiting to happen.”

The children’s play practitioner, who has been married to Paul for 18 years and has two children, Christopher, 17, and Anna-Maria, 14, adds: “It was such a shock. I joined Slimming World that same week – I’d been a member before, so I knew the plan worked.

“This time around I made sure to stay to the group each week. I found it fascinating to learn more about myself and my relationship with food, and I spoke more openly about it than I ever had. My Consultant Michelle’s in-depth support helped me unpick the psychological side of my food choices. I realised I was an emotional eater – if I was upset, I’d eat crisps, ice cream, pasties or sausage rolls. It was a breakthrough. I developed a new, empowering sense of being in control and I still love that I get to invest in myself for that time each week.”

Marianna continues: “As my confidence began to grow, so did my interest in activity. I began by just walking around my neighbourhood for 10 minutes. 10 minutes passed…then another. I discovered all sorts of lovely sights I’d never even realised were on our doorstep! After that, there was no stopping me. I got up a little earlier each morning to squeeze in an online workout, and by the time I lost 3st (19kg), I was going to the gym at work up to three times a week.

“Losing weight has given me so much more confidence to be able to live the life I’m living now. I was so unhappy and scared for my health and joining a Slimming World group was the best decision I ever made. Nowadays – I feel happy, healthy and full of energy. When I went back to the doctor’s for a check-up, I was relieved when my GP said there were no signs of type 2 diabetes, no high cholesterol and I had a healthy heart.”

Marianna’s been so inspired by her weight loss journey that she’s trained as a Slimming World Consultant herself and now runs groups in Woodford Green, London.

Marianna Demetriades

Starting weight: 17st 5lbs (110.4kg)

Weight lost: 7st 1lb (44.9kg)

Current weight: 10st 4lbs (65.5kg)

Height: 5ft 1in

BEFORE

Breakfast: White toast with peanut butter or a bacon and egg fry up, cooked in oil

Lunch: Sandwiches made with white bread, mayonnaise and butter plus crisps or a supermarket meal deal

Dinner: Deep fried meatballs, roasts cooked with oil, a weekly Indian takeaway and kebabs

Snacks: crackers with butter, crisps, chocolate and cheese strings

AFTER

Breakfast: Healthy overnight oats with fat-free Greek yoghurt, berries and cinnamon, or an omelette or Slimming World cooked breakfast at the weekend

Lunch: Wholemeal pitta filled with skinless roast chicken, lettuce, tomato and cucumber

Dinner:  Slimming World prawn stir-fry with noodles and lots of vegetables. Fruit salad for dessert

Snacks and drinks: Low fat fibre bar, water 

[1] British Heart Foundation (BHF)

Since founding Slimming World 56 years ago, her determination to help people shed the burden of excess weight without shame or guilt has seen it grow from a single group in 1969 to the global authority in weight management that it is today. She leaves this world a healthier place.  

Margaret touched the hearts and changed the lives of millions of people, including all of Slimming World’s Consultants and staff who will feel her loss deeply. Right now, our thoughts are with Margaret’s family – her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. We take comfort, as we’re sure they do, in the hope that Margaret is now reunited with her beloved husband Tony who passed away in 2021.  

Slimming World Managing Director Lisa Salmon says: “Margaret steered her ship in the way she lived her life – with a generous spirit, passionate conviction, a wicked (and rebellious!) sense of humour and a fierce belief in doing the right thing. Our job now is to continue to keep her legacy alive by doing the very same thing.” 

Margaret has taken great care to ensure that plans are in place to keep the company safe and sound, knowing that she might not always be around to steer it, so that the business will continue to operate just as it always has – run by people who care passionately about changing lives. - ends -

He says: “I was relatively slim until I hit my 20s. My weight crept up from there so, I’ve essentially lived most of my life overweight. I’ve tried all sorts of diets over the years – Keto, meal replacement shakes and even the baby food diet. I’d lose a bit of weight, but none of them were sustainable. I didn’t enjoy what I was eating and felt I was missing out, which led to me feeling depressed and eating even more, in a downward spiral. I was seriously contemplating weight loss drugs before starting Slimming World and I’m so glad I didn’t go down that route.

“I’m a mechanic by trade and I’ve been in the industry for nearly 30 years. I work for the RAC managing a team of 43 patrols who attend hundreds of breakdowns every day. I no longer work at the roadside myself, and one of the reasons was because it was becoming such a struggle. I’d been known to get myself wedged under many a car while working and the physical side of the job was getting harder and harder.”

It was when Nick’s youngest son Oscar was born in 2019 that he really started considering his future. He says: “I knew I wasn’t the youngest of dads and my health wasn’t great either. I have been asthmatic all my life and I hadn’t realised what a huge part my weight played in this. I decided to go for a routine check-up at the doctor’s and the results were eye-opening. The doctor said I had prediabetes, high cholesterol and sleep apnoea too.”

Nick and his four best friends, decided to go along to his local Slimming World group. He says: “I was very sceptical at first. I was worried what being in a group was going to be like and that this would become something else I wasn’t able to stick with. But I was so wrong. My Wednesday night group is a highlight of my week. I soon realised that I didn’t have to miss out, I can still eat all my favourite foods and we can still eat together as a family. My Consultant Clare and the other members are so supportive.”

Nick, who lives with his wife Kerrie and two sons, 20-year-old Josh and Oscar, who’s now five, soon began to enjoy Slimming World’s healthy eating plan, and introduced new healthy ways of cooking and eating for the whole family. He says: “Clare helped me realise where my excess calories came from. I started planning my meals, so I didn’t make unhealthy decisions because I was hungry and in a rush. I prepared things to take to work with me and the other members in group gave me ideas to help me stay on track.”

In time, Nick became more active with the help of Slimming World’s physical activity support programme, which helps members introduce activity at their own pace and in a way that fits in with their daily routine. 

“Being slimmer and having more energy encouraged me to get more active. I joined the gym with the same friends I joined Slimming World with, and I honestly love it. I never would have set foot in a gym when I was heavier. The simplest of tasks were a challenge before – I got out of breath just walking around the house. I’m a really active dad now, I enjoy long walks with the dogs and have even tried classes like spin and pilates. Slimming World has changed my life so much for the better.”

Now that he’s 6st lighter, Nick says he is much more positive at work too: “I feel more organised and focused throughout the day and feel I can give better support to the team that I look after. With my new positive mindset and drive to improve myself, I’ve enrolled in a team leader course that will provide a qualification at the end. My mental health and focus have all improved so much since I started my journey and feel like I’m the best possible version of me.”

VITAL STATS:

Name: Nick Furlong

Age: 45

Height: 5ft 11ins/180.34cm

Starting weight: 18st 11lbs/263lbs/119.2kg 

Current weight: 12st 11lbs/179lbs/81.2kg

Weight loss: 6st/84lbs/38kg

Waist size before: 42-44ins/111.76cm

Waist size now: 32ins/81.2cm

Date joined Slimming World:13/03/2024

Group: Nick is a member of Clare O’Connell’s group in Woodhatch, Surrey

Before menu

Breakfast: Cafe bacon rolls, sausage sandwiches, or fast-food breakfast 

Lunch: Shop-bought sandwiches or more fast food                                               

Dinner: Home cooked meals like spaghetti bolognese

Snacks:  Packs of crisps. Chocolate bars. Petrol station cakes/doughnuts.

After menu

Breakfast: Overnight oats. Fruit and low-fat yogurt      

Lunch:   Tuna salad and rice dishes

Dinner:  Homemade Slimming World burgers, curries, stir fries and spaghetti bolognese. Lots of fish, lean meat and vegetables.

Snacks:  Fruit, nuts, boiled eggs, chocolate bar             

– ends –    

During the study, researchers conducted surveys and interviewed parents attending Slimming World (a UK-based commercial weight management programme for adults). They found that, out of those parents worried about their child’s weight, most (78 per cent) were open to being offered support for their children.

Out of those parents interested in support for their child, nearly all (98 per cent) were happy for the weight management programme to signpost them to relevant children’s services. The study team also found that almost half of parents not worried about their child’s weight were still interested in a height and weight check for their child.

Parents had different preferences in terms of the format and delivery of services they would potentially find helpful for their children. Avoiding a ‘one size fits all’ approach and offering individual support were important.

Parents were clear that support should focus on being healthy, rather than weight alone. They also suggested weekly sessions may be too frequent and wanted the fact that change takes time to be recognised. Many felt a parent ‘peer support’ group would be beneficial.

Dr Ruth Mears, Clinical Research Fellow at the University of Bristol’s Centre for Academic Primary Care and lead author, said:

“Child weight management programmes should involve the family. However, recruiting families into these programmes can be challenging.

“Despite children having a higher risk of obesity if their parents are affected by obesity, adult weight management programmes don’t routinely link into child weight management services.  This misses an opportunity to help children reach a healthier weight together with their family, at a time-point when the parent is already making changes to their own lifestyle.

“Our study supports the potential of a new referral pathway to child weight management programmes, through parents attending adult weight management programmes.”

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  

– ends –

Margaret is recognised due to her commitment to helping people to lose weight and live healthier, happier lives. Her dedication spans more than five decades since she founded Slimming World in 1969 at her kitchen table in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, just a few miles from Alfreton, where the organisation is still based.

Margaret says: “I’m truly honoured to be recognised in this way. Having struggled with my own weight from a young age, I was aware of the lack of support available, and I was left feeling lectured to, judged and humiliated whenever I tried to seek help. I knew there had to be a better way to help people like me.

“I know how it feels to be burdened with your weight – not just the physical weight, but the burden of shame and guilt too."

Since 1969, Margaret has supported millions of people – and their families thanks to the healthy habits members take home – to lose weight with a revolutionary, generous, nutritionally balanced and flexible eating plan, and a highly-developed group support system to facilitate healthy changes in behaviour for long-term success.

Margaret hopes her recognition on the list will enable her to reach more people with her message that if they’re looking to lose weight this January, they do not need to resort to weight loss injections.

Margaret continues: “There’s so much in the news at the minute about these so-called miracle weight loss drugs. I can understand why some people, those desperate to lose weight, will want to find a quick fix. Medication isn’t the answer though.

“They may help people to lose weight in the short-term, but drugs won’t help a person change habits of a lifetime. They won’t help them embrace a healthy balanced diet and they certainly won’t promote the importance of physical activity for long-term weight maintenance and lasting healthy habits.

“There’s no one simple medical solution to the complex problems of obesity. These drugs are just a distraction, and they are preventing the Government in taking any real action to help the millions of people who need support to lose weight now.”

Margaret’s vision for Slimming World extended beyond weight loss – she has also developed a business model that offers opportunities to people who have lost weight with Slimming World themselves, creating a network of thousands of small businesses in local communities run by Consultants, all fully trained in Slimming World’s methods.

Margaret says: “This recognition is not just for me, but for the thousands of dedicated Slimming World Consultants across the UK and Ireland who know exactly how their members’ feel and support them 24/7.

“And I certainly wouldn’t be where I am today without our incredible members who have not only committed to making healthy changes to their own and their family’s lives, but support Slimming World in our many charity endeavours, helping us to improve the lives of even more people.”

Margaret's philanthropic efforts are remarkable. She established SMILES, her charitable foundation in 1997, which has so far raised £29 million for worthy causes, and currently supports Cancer Research UK, the Irish Cancer Society and Alzheimer’s Research UK. Margaret also continues to give substantial financial contributions to ground-breaking cancer immunotherapy research, a cause close to her heart.

Of the recognition, the judging panel from the Top 100 Influential People 2025, commented: “It is inspirational to read about Margaret’s journey and her achievements, showcasing resilience and a commitment to positive change. Margaret’s work in setting up and developing Slimming World is legendary.”

Ali Ridgley decided to make a change after reading the words ‘morbidly obese’ on her doctor’s computer when she went for a check-up at her starting weight of almost 23st (145kg). She says: “Seeing the words on my doctor’s screen spurred me into action. I was a heart attack waiting to happen.”

The 52-year-old adds: “I knew my weight was a problem – I’d always been bigger than my friends, but it wasn’t until I went to college and started socialising more that my weight began to climb. In 2018 my marriage broke down and I had a massive crisis of confidence. I tried to lose weight alone and would make some progress, however it would never be long before it came back on again. I’d been a Slimming World member before, so I knew the plan worked for me – I just needed to make that mental shift to fully embrace it this time.”

In the past Ali had considered weight loss surgery and says she can see why people are tempted by weight loss drugs and more drastic weight loss measures. She says: “I know how it feels to be completely desperate. I’d have given anything to be 13st lighter, but it felt so out of reach. Now I know that there is no quick fix that can help you lose weight and keep it off. For me, the healthy habits I have learned along the way have been invaluable.

“The way I cook and eat now have become so natural it’s effortless. Each pound I’ve lost has helped me to become the confident, fit and strong woman I am today and I’m so proud of myself. I’m so glad that I didn’t go down the bariatric surgery route.”

Despite having been a Slimming World member in the past, Ali still felt nervous before joining Neil Fenton’s group in Southway. She says: “I did feel a bit jittery about re-joining. Neil was great though; he welcomed me with open arms. There was no judgement, just encouragement and support from the start. When I weighed in, I realised I was the heaviest I had ever been. The person at the scales said to me ‘don’t worry, that’s the last time you’ll see that number’. It was just the boost I needed. And you know what, she was right!”

Ali, who lives with her daughter Rosie, 24, got stuck straight into Slimming World’s healthy eating plan. She says: “I cook meals from scratch now and I’m so much more organised – which means I’m never tempted to eat something unhealthy when I’m on-the-go. I don’t feel like I’m on a diet and I’m never hungry because I’m still eating normal, everyday foods. My partner Dave has been so supportive too.

“It works easily for us a family and I love that we can all enjoy the same meals. We’re big foodies in our house and Rosie will often send me TikToks of recipes she wants to try. We go through the ingredients and see what we need to swap to make it Slimming World-friendly. We never feel like we’re missing out because we’re always trying new things. Hunter’s chicken lasagne is our current favourite.”

Over time, Ali started incorporating more activity into her daily routine with the help of Slimming World’s physical activity support programme. She says: “At nearly 23st, exercise was a total no-go for me. When I had lost 6st, I plucked up the courage to join a dance fitness class. I fell in love with it and ended up completing my diploma in exercise to music, so I now run my own classes twice a week. I love it when other Slimming World members come along, we have so much fun. I can’t imagine my life without dancing, so I feel confident about keeping these habits up and the weight off this time. I also joined a local Couch to 5K group and recently signed up for a marathon.”

And being named Woman of the Year isn’t the only title Ali has picked up this year – she’s now also known as ‘Nanny’ to her seven-week-old grandson, Taran. She says: “When my daughter Claudia, 29, told me that she was pregnant, I was over the moon. There are certain things I missed out on when raising my daughters because of my size – I was often the mum on the sidelines holding the bags and not getting involved – and looking back that makes me feel so sad. I feel like being Taran’s nanny is a second chance for me – I’ll be fit, active and healthy enough to keep up with him and enjoy those early years. 

“Ultimately, I started this journey because I wanted to live life to the fullest – and that’s what I feel I can do now. These days I’m not a heart attack waiting to happen – I’m the woman I always wanted to be.”

Carolyn Pallister, registered dietitian and Head of Nutrition, Research & Health at Slimming World added: “Ali is truly inspiring and demonstrates what can be achieved, without resorting to weight loss drugs or surgery. Ali has lost weight through making important healthy behaviour changes that have not only helped her lose 13st but have equipped her with lifelong healthy habits, not just for her but for her family too, and the confidence that she can maintain it for life.” 

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

VITAL STATS:

Name: Ali Ridgley 
Age: 52
Height: 5ft 6ins/167cm
Starting weight: 22st 13½lbs/145kg/321½lbs 
Current weight: 9st 13½lbs/63kg/139½lbs  
Weight loss: 13st/82kg/182lbs
Dress size before: 28-30
Dress size now: 6-8
Joined current Slimming World group: 2019
Group: Ali attends the Southway Slimming World group in Devon, which is ran by Consultant Neil Fenton

Before menu
Breakfast: White toast or cereal with butter
Lunch: Shop-bought baguette with crisps and chocolate
Dinner: Pie, mash and gravy
Snacks: Biscuits in the evening

After menu
Breakfast: Cereal with fruit and fat-free natural yogurt
Lunch: Usually leftovers, such as cottage pie and veg from the evening before
Dinner: Homemade hunters chicken lasagne or cheesy courgette baked risotto
Snacks: Slimming World high-fibre bars, glass of red wine, bar of chocolate

– ends –

“People want to lose weight without hunger – of course, they do. And surely without risk to their health? And there is a real and effective alternative. It is possible to lose weight without hunger, without harming anyone’s health, without drugs and without their unpleasant side effects. In fact, there is no one simple medical solution to the complex problems of obesity. But there are healthy, nutritional solutions that work and that last for life. Weight loss without hunger is not just a dream – it is a health-giving reality that will not condemn the next generation to a life damaged by unhealthy eating."

"We’ve long known weight loss medication isn’t for everyone. And if it’s true these drugs won’t even be available for years, then it’s a blessing in disguise. One in four people in the UK is struggling with obesity and having the fight of their life right now. They need healthy help and support right NOW,” says Margaret Miles-Bramwell OBE, founder and chair of Slimming World.

Slimming World is the UK and Ireland’s largest weight management organisation, with 13,000 weekly community groups offering a money back guarantee.  

Margaret’s comments come following news that the NHS only have the capacity to give 220,000 patients living with obesity the weight loss medication Mounjaro, despite NICE guidance ruling that 3.4 million adults would be eligible and 35 million people in the UK are living with overweight and obesity.  

For more information on Slimming World click here and to read Slimming World’s manifesto click here.  

Its growing collection of fans have praised the delicious healthy recipes and generous portions, and love choosing from 15 different dishes each week, including family favourites, vegetarian and vegan options and more adventurous dishes from around the world.

Now new customers who order their first box on or between Friday 29^th November and Monday 2^nd December can get free delivery on that box, saving £4.99, and every box delivered until 2025 by entering code FREEFOODFEASTS at checkout. Existing customers haven’t been forgotten either – any current subscribers will get free delivery on any box ordered in 2024, with no code required. 

The recipe boxes are ideal for Slimming World members following the Food Optimising eating plan and for anyone who wants the convenience of healthy, tasty and top-quality meals in generous portions – delivered to their door.

Allison Brentnall, Slimming World’s Director of Food, says: “The Christmas period is an incredibly busy time of year, so our recipe kits are perfect for the run up to the big day. We do the shopping, give you just the right amount of ingredients and deliver it to the door. We even have some delicious Christmas recipes, including Roast Turkey Dinner, Salmon with Orange and Beetroot, Sprout Pad Thai and Sage & Onion Risotto with Roasted Roots, on our menu in December too. So, you can be confident you’re giving your family a healthy meal that they’ll love and all you have to do is cook and enjoy – it’s straight from our kitchen to yours!”

Head to slimmingworldkitchen.co.uk to choose your menu today! Order from Friday 29^th November to Monday 2^nd December 2024 using code FREEFOODFEASTS (for new customers) and get free delivery on every recipe box from then until January 2025, saving up to £19.96. (Delivery is £4.99 and customers can receive up to four weekly boxes during the offer period).

We were extremely pleased to see the report recommending the development of an ambitious strategy for maternal nutrition. Slimming World is the only weight-management organisation that works with the Royal College of Midwives to support pregnant or breastfeeding women, with the backing and ongoing recommendation of their midwife or GP, to make healthy changes to their diet and activity and to manage their weight healthily during this time. Our research with midwives found though that only 51% feel confident advising women on weight management during pregnancy. Alongside maternal nutrition, we believe the Government should introduce training for all healthcare professionals who interact with patients needing support to manage their weight, providing them with the skills to raise the issue of obesity and weight management sensitively and effectively. 

We also feel clear guidance on the difference between what constitutes a UPF and what is a processed food but can be consumed as part of a healthy, nutritionally balanced diet is essential, to avoid misinterpretation and confusion. With 55 years of experience in helping people to lose and maintain a healthy weight, at Slimming World, we’ve always encouraged our members to eat more fresh, whole foods, and cook from scratch, where possible. In fact, research into members eating habits confirms this - the British Nutrition Foundation found that the average Slimming World member eats more portions of fruit and veg a day than the general public. Food Optimising, Slimming World’s healthy eating plan, also encourages members to cut down on foods that are high in sugar and saturated fat, like chocolate and biscuits, which are predominantly categorised as UPFs.  

The committee and subsequent report explore the links between UPFs with rising obesity rates and diet-related health conditions such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease. The recommendations to the Government include: 

• a salt and sugar reformulation tax on food manufacturers, using the revenue raised to support lowering the cost of healthier foods,  
• a complete ban on the advertising of less healthy food, 
• reviewing and increasing the eligibility for the Healthy Start and free school meals schemes, 
• and requiring food manufacturers to report on the healthiness of their sales. 

The report also concluded that more investment is needed to research the links between UPFs and health conditions, reviewing healthy eating guidance based on any findings. We will continue to monitor the growing interest and research in this area and should there be any changes to government or UK and European health bodies’ guidance on the consumption of UPFs, we will advise our members and adapt our resources accordingly.     

Mother-of-two Donna says: “I’ve struggled with my weight for as long as I can remember and as a teenager, I felt I weighed more than my friends. I often ate emotionally, whether I was happy or sad I would turn to food. I’ve tried many fad diets throughout my adult life – you name it, I’ve probably tried it! I found that I could lose weight, but I quickly put all of it back on again when the diet ended. 

“When I was at my highest weight, I was prescribed tablets by my GP to help with my high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes. Working in health, I was embarrassed I’d let it get this far. I knew what the outcomes of these conditions could look like, and it made me nervous thinking about what the future would be if I didn’t do something."
 

Donna and her friend, Janet, discovered they both wanted to lose weight and joined their local Slimming World group in January 2023. Although Donna admits she felt daunted on that first night, she was warmly welcomed by her Consultant and the other group members. 

She says: “I was worried that getting weighed each week would be stressful and embarrassing, but I soon realised it was anything but. My weight was confidential – just between me and the person weighing me and I found getting weighed each week kept me motivated and accountable, too. Everyone in group is friendly and so supportive. We really are all in it together.” 

Since then, Donna has lost 6st 2½lbs following Slimming World’s healthy eating plan and is still able to enjoy her favourite meals like curry and chilli. She says: “Before joining Slimming World, I would often skip breakfast and this would lead to me having big portions of every other meal I ate. Now, I love breakfast and usually opt for Weetabix with a banana. I’ve also swapped convenience meals for homemade Slimming World recipes and I always have meals from the Slimming World Free Food range at Iceland in the freezer for when I’m pushed for time. 

“My husband enjoys the same meals as me, which is really helpful as we don’t have to spend time preparing different foods and I stay on track.” 

Reaching her target weight in February 2024, Donna has put her type 2 diabetes into remission. Her high blood pressure medicine has also been reduced. 

Donna’s inspirational story backs up research published in the journal Archives of Diabetes & Obesityⁱ, showing that, of the Slimming World members surveyed who were living with type 2 diabetes and had lost weight, a third reported their diabetes had gone into remission. This increased to 51% for those who’d lost at least 10% of their body weight. More than 61% were able to reduce or stop taking their diabetes medication, and 81% saw improvements in their blood glucose (also known as blood sugar levels) management. 

As well as improving her health and relationship with food, Donna has grown in confidence and motivation, increasing her activity levels with Slimming World’s physical activity support programme, which encourages members to gradually increase the amount of fitness they do and to choose activity they enjoy. Donna is now learning how to play golf and she regularly goes for walks with friends. 

She says: “My Slimming World journey began with my friend, and I’m delighted that we’ve both reached our target weights. Not only has my health improved, I can now run around after my grandchildren. I’ve made new friends at my Slimming World group and changed my life for the better.” 

Robert Ince, who runs the Inverness Slimming World group, which Donna attends, says: “Donna is such an inspirational member and it’s been amazing to watch her journey unfold. 

“Our group is filled with support and encouragement. Donna now regularly shares ideas and gets involved in conversations, and always cheers everyone on.” 

This World Diabetes Day, we're proud to partner with Diabetes UK to help raise awareness of diabetes, and the support they provide for many people living with and affected by the condition.

ⁱ Study polled 222 members with type 2 diabetes in May 2020. Data where blood glucose and weight change is reported refers to members with type 2 diabetes who were members for six months or more.
 

“Research has shown that the GLP-1 medications do aid weight loss, but they’re not a magic bullet and they certainly aren’t for everyone. Some people won’t be medically eligible to take them, and there are many who won’t want to use a weight-loss medication.  

“There’s also growing acknowledgement that to support weight maintenance, lasting changes around food, drink and activity are needed alongside weight-loss medication. As the UK’s leading weight management organisation, specialising in behaviour change support, we’re in a unique position to offer this support to people taking these medications. 

“Deciding to lose weight – whether that’s with medication, surgery, with a slimming club or any other method – takes courage, determination and commitment, and we welcome anyone who’s struggling with their weight and needs the help, expertise and motivation to make lasting changes to their lifestyle.  

“We encourage members who are taking weight loss medications to share that information with their fellow members and the Consultant who runs their group, so they can help them follow some additional guidelines to ensure a healthy balanced diet, and that they’re preserving their lean muscle – a risk with rapid weight loss through taking GLP-1 drugs.

“It is very easy to believe that this new generation of drugs are the holy grail and that they’ll see rates of obesity reducing. However, it’s important to remember that they’re a short-term medical intervention with many unpleasant potential side-effects. To help people who are taking medication to maintain their weight loss long term, the support to make sustainable healthy changes to what they eat and drink and to become more active is essential. That’s something we’ve been doing for 55 years and will continue to do.”  

Slimming World’s team of inspirational slimmers has collectively lost more than 33st and will be taking on a challenge that, at one time, they never thought would be possible. By following Slimming World’s Body Magic physical activity support programme, the runners gradually built up their activity levels at a pace that suited them.

Stuart Maidment, 52, ICT Support Project Officer and Slimming World member from Bridgend who has lost almost 4st, says: “I used to play rugby before losing weight and really struggled as I was constantly getting out of breath. As well as losing weight, the support I received at my Slimming World group boosted my self-belief and I started to think maybe I could become more active. I set myself small goals to start with and gradually built up my exercise and stamina. 

Carolyn Pallister, registered dietitian and Head of Nutrition, Research and Health at Slimming World says: “Exercise can often seem quite daunting when someone is at the start of their weight loss journey, which is why our physical activity support programme is designed to suit all lifestyles and preferences. It encourages members to choose an activity they enjoy and start doing as much as feels right for them, then gradually build up their activity levels at a pace that they’re comfortable with. Doing it this way makes it much easier for people to keep it up, and over time activity develops into a habit.

The team will be taking on the recognised super-half in aid of Slimming World’s charity partner Alzheimer’s Research UK to raise awareness of how eating a healthy, balanced diet and moving more can help to protect our physical and brain health.

According to Alzheimer’s Research UK’s ‘Think Brain Health’ campaign, being active is one of several ways people can help protect brain health and reduce their risk of dementia in later life. 

Vicky Lake, Senior Partnership Development Manager at Alzheimer’s Research UK, said:

"Alzheimer’s Research UK is incredibly grateful to the Slimming World team for their support in the Cardiff Half Marathon. Staying active is a great way to help maintain good brain health, and the team's efforts will raise vital funds and awareness, bringing us closer to a cure for dementia. We’re wishing the team the best of luck and we look forward to cheering them on from the sidelines!”

To donate and find out more, click here to visit their JustGiving page. 

Give a huge round of applause for our incredible team:

• Bethan Griffiths, who has lost 3st 5lbs with Slimming World and was inspired to start running after seeing the 2023 Slimming World London Marathon Team in action
   
• Sian Wyndham, who has lost 2st 10.5lbs and runs 3-4 times a week
   
• Helen Griffiths, who has lost 2st 2lbs and feels more confident 
   
• Llinos Hubbard, who has lost 1st 5lbs and now runs multiple times a week
   
• Consultant Michelle Humphrey, who has lost 4st and is a keen runner
   
• Bethan Morris, who has lost 3st 5lbs, and would love to inspire others to tackle a challenge 
   
• Beverley Joyce, who has lost 3st 10lbs and is smashing her Body Magic goals. She recently conquered Pen Y Fan with her children which is something she never would have imagined she was capable of before joining Slimming World
   
• Rebecca Aslett, who has lost 3st 2lbs and is excited to take on this inspirational challenge
   
• Sandra Barrett, who has lost 3st 0.5lbs and started running with the help of the Couch 2 5k programme
   
• Stuart Maidment, who has lost 3st 12.5lbs and gradually built his stamina and activity up through running
   
• Slimming World Consultant Louise Luke, who has lost 3st 2.5lbs and loves dance and yoga as well as running

Sarah Williams, 41, who’s been named Slimming World’s Diamond Member of the Year 2024, says her weight was holding her back from enjoying her life with her family, including going on bike rides or swimming with her children. It wasn’t until 2013, when she and her husband Lee decided to get married after 13 years together though, that Sarah decided it was time to make a change.

After losing her dad in 2012, Sarah took comfort in food. She says: “I’d been overweight from being a child. And by the time I had my children, Millie, now 18 and Maisie, now 14, in my late twenties, my weight had completely spiralled out of control. I was at my heaviest after my dad passed – I felt unhappy and was ashamed and frustrated with my weight.”

Sarah tried various quick fix weight loss methods, such as meal replacement shakes, in the past but found them difficult to sustain. She says: “I was living on shakes as a substitute for food and if I lost any weight, it always felt impossible to keep it off. And before I knew it, I’d be back at square one. I was just miserable and hungry, and knew I couldn’t carry on this way.”

In a new study, more than half of UK adults (56%) say they’ve followed a fad diet^[1] in an attempt to lose weight with almost three quarters of those (71%) reporting they didn't lose any weight or didn’t lose as much weight as they wanted^[2], and 11% gained weight.

The online survey of more than 2,000 adults^[3] commissioned by Slimming World, found of the 1,123 UK adults who’d tried a fad diet, more than a third (38%) say they found it on social media and 35% said they could only stick to it for up to six days.  

Sarah continues: “Lee and I were so excited to finally get married. I knew I wanted to feel my best for our special day, however I felt anything but that when I was trying on dresses. Looking back now, I hadn’t coped well with the grief of losing my dad, and it made me realise how much I wanted to be around for my family for as long as possible. I knew the only way I could that though was by looking after myself first – and that started with my weight.”

With the wedding a year away, Sarah decided to try losing weight with Slimming World, which is celebrating its Emerald Anniversary this month after 55 years of supporting people to lose weight. She says: “I’d been a member in the past so knew I was in a safe environment, however I still felt embarrassed walking back into a group at first. I was instantly reminded of why I had no reason to be though, everyone was so lovely and welcoming. While I’d wanted to lose weight the times I’d tried before, something had clicked when I listened to my Consultant Paula explain the importance of building healthy new habits, and I’d realised the only way I could do that was by changing my habits – and for good this time. I had a different mindset from that very first group.”

Sarah got stuck straight into Simming World’s healthy eating plan. She says: “I knew the plan worked, but reading through the books I was given at my first group with fresh eyes helped me embrace it in a completely different way and see where I might have got tripped up in the past. I used these, alongside the Slimming World app to start planning my meals ahead of my weekly shop and found it helped steer away from self-sabotaging as I was becoming more aware of my trigger foods. However, knowing that I could still enjoy a treat when I fancied, like a lager, helped me stay on track. I was just learning how to enjoy it in moderation now and going to the group each week helped me to turn the changes I was making into habits.

“The way I shop, cook and eat has changed now. I cook homemade meals from scratch, like chicken stir-fry or beef stroganoff, every day. It works so easily for us a family too – I love that we can all enjoy the same meals. I’ve never felt like I’m on a diet and I’m never hungry because I’m still eating normal, everyday foods. It’s just a way of life for me now. I managed to lose 3st before my wedding, and felt amazing.”

Over time, Sarah started incorporating more activity into her daily routine with the help of Slimming World’s physical activity support programme. She says: “I wasn’t active at all before. The thought of exercising alone would wear me out! In the past, I had tried the odd gym class with friends, but I felt so unfit and never went back. I was also always too embarrassed to ever go swimming with my children when they were younger, I couldn’t face anyone judging me.

“Now I have new-found love for exercise. Paula explained how the programme worked and I loved that I could start at my own pace, take it at my own time – and get awards for my progress!  It motivated me to try new things too. I started a circuits class at my local gym once a week, and as my confidence grew and my fitness improved, I joined a few more classes. I think it’s been an important part of helping me to keep the weight off.”

Sarah credits Slimming World’s Slim for Life plan, which is a personalised 12-week plan to help members confidently transition from losing to maintaining their weight, for providing her with the tools she needed to sustain her weight loss long-term. She says: “I’m so grateful for Paula and the other members in the group. It hasn’t been plain sailing though, there were times after reaching the target I set myself when I’ve struggled with finding the balance to maintain my weight rather than lose or gain.”

She continues: “I found going to the group every week has helped me not be too hard on myself though and encouraged me to embrace and celebrate non-scale victories too, like feeling confident in new outfits or trying a new fitness class on my own.”

Sarah has maintained her 6st 10lbs weight loss for an incredible nine years, after reaching her target weight in 2015. She says: “Slimming World has completely changed my life. I spent most of my adult life hiding away, too embarrassed to get involved in family activities like swimming or bike riding, and missing out on special occasions because I’d struggle to find something clothes that I felt confident in. Now I’m making up for lost time, and just enjoying life to the fullest!”

She continues: “My relationship with my husband has also benefitted massively – we can enjoy simple things like going on date nights together now because I no longer feel self-conscious. Shopping for clothes is more enjoyable experience too – and something I love doing with my daughters. I couldn’t have done any of it without Paula’s support over these past nine years – I feel so lucky to call her a close friend now too.

“After being with my old company for 23 years, I started a new job at the beginning of this year as a Payroll Clerk at a local accountancy firm. It was a big move, but it’s something I wouldn’t have dreamed of doing before losing weight. I was always pretty comfortable being in the background, now I love meeting new people and can speak confidently in front of a room of people too – it’s quite an empowering feeling! I feel so proud that I’ve been able to be the healthy, happy mum I always wanted to be.”

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

VITAL STATS:

Name: Sarah Williams 
Age: 41
Height: 5ft 5ins/165cm
Starting weight: 17st 11lbs/249lbs/113kg   
Current weight: 11st 1lb/155lbs/70kg
Weight loss: 6st 10lbs/94lbs/43kg   
Dress size before: 20
Dress size now: 10
Date joined Slimming World: January 2013
Date achieved target: August 2015
Time at target: Nine years
Group: Sarah attends the Sandyford Slimming World group in Stoke-on-Trent, which is held on Thursdays

Before menu
Breakfast: White toast or crumpets with butter or a sugary cereal
Lunch: Baguette or shop-bought pasta salad, crisps, sugary snacks
Dinner: Takeaways or frozen fish & chips or readymade pie and chips
Snacks: Biscuits, crisps, chocolate or savoury pies  

After menu
Breakfast: Overnight oats using fresh fruit like peaches, strawberries and plums
Lunch: Homemade salad with skinless cooked chicken pieces or quiche and couscous salad
Dinner: Slimming World diet cola chicken, fish or chicken stir-fries, steak with homemade chips
Snacks: Fat-free yogurt with fresh fruit, Slimming World high-fibre bars, a half pint of lager or glass of prosecco

[1] Fad diets – promoting rapid weight loss without robust scientific evidence to support them – can be hard to ignore for people keen to lose weight quickly.  Popular ones include plans where you eat a very restrictive diet with few foods or an unusual combination of foods.

[2] Responses include those who lost weight initially but regained more weight than before when stopping

[3] The research was conducted by Censuswide, among a sample of 2,004 nationally representative consumers across the UK (aged 18+) along with a self-selecting sample of 1,380 Slimming World members via Slimming World’s member website. The data was collected between 19.07.2024 - 24.07.2024. Censuswide abides by and employs members of the Market Research Society and follows the MRS code of conduct and ESOMAR principles. Censuswide is also a member of the British Polling Council.

– ends –

The employees, who work within a variety of departments at the company’s head office including marketing, IT, nutrition, design, and product distribution, came together at a walk of their own to recognise their achievements at local Race for Life events as well as the company’s long-term partnership with Cancer Research UK.

2024 was a record-breaking year for Slimming World’s Body Magic fundraiser. This summer, Slimming World members, Consultants and Head Office staff raised more than £1.2 million for Cancer Research UK!  

Bethany Hayes, Senior Marketing Co-ordinator at Slimming World, says: “It was brilliant to see plenty of our colleagues dressed in pink and enjoying the walk. It reflects the friendly and supportive atmosphere found at Race for Life events, where it doesn’t matter if you walk, jog or run the course, as long as you have fun!

Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life is an inspiring series of 3k, 5k, 10k, Pretty Muddy and Pretty Muddy Kids events which raise millions of pounds every year to help beat cancer by funding crucial research. Slimming World are, for the second year running, proud sponsors of Race for Life and have encouraged Consultants, members, and staff to sign up to their local events and raise money for the charity as well as encouraging them to move more by picking an event to match their activity level.

Alongside Race for Life, Slimming World supports Cancer Research UK through a variety of activities including The Big Slimming World Clothes Throw and the Slimming World London Marathon Team. The organisations recently came together to celebrate Slimming World raising more than £20m for the charity.

The Race for Life events ran from 4 May to 28 July 2024 and throughout this time, Slimming World members have been preparing for their events by sharing fundraising tips, training together and cheering each other on every step of the way.

Bethany adds: “We take pride in our work to support Cancer Research UK, a cause close to many of our colleagues’, members’ and Consultants’ hearts. Through our work with the charity, as well as fundraising, we hope to raise awareness that maintaining a healthy weight improves health, including the risk of developing some types of cancer.”

Alex Crouch, Partnership Manager at Cancer Research UK, said: “As always, we are so grateful to everyone at Slimming World who took part in Race for Life this year. Through the support and commitment of Slimming World Consultants and members, together, we are beating cancer. Thanks in part to money raised through events such as Race for Life, our research led to the development of the HPV vaccine, which is expected to prevent almost 90% of cervical cancers in the UK. With continued support, Cancer Research UK can continue to fund research to help prevent cancer”

In a new study, more than half of UK adults (56%) say they’ve followed a fad diet[1] in an attempt to lose weight with almost three quarters of those (71%) reporting they didn't lose any weight or didn’t lose as much weight as they wanted[2], and 11% gained weight.

The online survey of more than 2,000 adults[3] commissioned by the UK and Ireland’s largest weight-loss organisation Slimming World, found of the 1,123 UK adults who’d tried a fad diet, more than a third (38%) say they found it on social media and 35% said they could only stick to it for up to six days.  

The prevalence of fad diets – promoting rapid weight loss without robust scientific evidence to support them – means they can be hard to ignore for people keen to lose weight quickly.

The most common fad diets adults in the UK have tried include weight loss supplements (29%), apple cider vinegar (21%), a juice diet (19%), skinny tea (16%), vitamin water (15%) and the cabbage soup diet (14%).

When property solicitor Amanda Hetherington realised during the pandemic that her weight put her at severe risk from Covid, she knew she had to leave the fad diets behind and make a lasting change. Weighing over 29st, Amanda joined her local Slimming World group – a decision she says ‘changed her life’ – and she went on to lose 15st 7lbs.

Amanda, 39, from Flintshire, says: “I joined my local Slimming World group during Covid. As soon as I found out I was in the high-risk category because of my weight, I felt I had to do something.  When I saw those oxygen machines on the news, that was it for me. I thought this is serious, I’m too young, I can’t die yet. My thoughts went to my family too as I knew if I did pass away I wouldn’t fit in a standard-size coffin.

“Before joining Slimming World, I used to scroll through social media to see who’d lost the most weight in the shortest time and that would be the diet I’d follow, especially if I was going on holiday. I tried every diet under the sun including total food replacement diets which were so restrictive and extreme that I’d always cave in after a couple of days. I’d then be back to square one and feel so upset with myself for failing. That sense of failure would lead me to comfort eat – a vicious cycle I didn’t think I’d ever break free from. I was so tired of yo-yo dieting and not being able to stick to anything. I remember when my husband Gary and I went to see Michael Bublé in concert, instead of going for a lovely meal beforehand, I had a meal replacement shake in our hotel room and Gary went out to buy a meal deal sandwich.”

Amanda says: “It’s incredible to think back to those times looking at me now. Since joining Slimming World I’ve lost 15½st and I love that I’ve lost weight eating healthy everyday food that my family can enjoy too. I’d been a member of Slimming World before, and when a leaflet popped through my door, it reminded me it was the only weight loss method I’d ever followed which I enjoyed.  I’ll admit when I was a member before I didn’t follow the plan properly. I’d do it in the week but go back to my old habits at the weekends. This time, I was committed to making a lasting change which meant changing my mindset. With support from my group, I began building healthy new habits into my daily life.  

“Now, I know losing weight isn’t a quick fix. I’ve gone from a size 36 to a size 12. I’m so much more confident and I no longer have panic attacks about my health.

“With Slimming World’s healthy eating plan, my relationship with food completely changed. I make healthier versions of all my favourite foods. I’m never hungry, and it’s easy to adapt our family meals so we all eat the same thing. My daughter Philippa, three, loves when I make Slimming World's spaghetti and meatballs with lean beef mince and my own sauce from a tin of tomatoes. I’m also a big fan of the Slimming World food range at Iceland especially the Chicken Biryani or Chicken Balti.”

From not being active at all and struggling to go up one flight of stairs, Amanda is now a regular at the gym thanks to Slimming World's activity support programme, which helps you to find activities you enjoy and build up at your own pace.

Amanda says: "I go to fitness classes every week and no longer hide at the back or feel intimidated. It also gave me the confidence to try running. I’d never in my life ran or jogged before, but last year I signed up to the couch to 5k programme with my local running club and completed it! I love running now.

“My Slimming World Consultant Ruth helped keep me motivated each week and supported me throughout my journey. The Slimming World App is great too – I use it every day. Tracking my food and planning my meals in advance is important and the App helps with inspiration on recipes. I also love reading the member success stories.

“Being part of Ruth’s group has been crucial to my success. Each week, I’d get a boost of motivation, fresh ideas and support from Ruth and the other members which helped me to tackle challenges and kept my commitment strong. The accountability of the weekly group is important for me – you don’t realise how well you’re doing until people say so, and with the encouragement of others, I was able to stay committed week after week. Even after moving house, I still travel back to my original group because of the strong friendships I’ve made.”

“Ditching the fad diets was the best decision I ever made – losing weight healthily with Slimming World’s eating plan is a way of life that I will follow forever. The habits that my group help me build and embed are now a way of life for me. I feel confident that I can maintain my weight loss for good.”

The survey, carried out independently by Censuswide, also polled members of Slimming World’s 13,000 community weight loss groups and online programme. Demonstrating Slimming World's effective package of support for long-term weight loss, 93% of members questioned say since joining Slimming World they feel more equipped to make the lasting changes they need as they have the right tools and strategies to help them with their weight loss journey.

Choosing a plan that helps you make mindset and lifestyle changes can be much easier to stick to, as shown in a study published in Clinical Nutrition Open Science[4].  The study found three in four respondents who received support in building healthy habits at a weekly Slimming World group were lighter up to three years after joining, even if they’d stopped attending.

Ruth Newall runs the Runcorn Slimming World group in Cheshire and is Amanda’s Consultant. Ruth says: “Amanda's story is one that many of us can relate to. Before joining my group, she’d told us, that like so many of us, she’d tried every fad diet and quick fix under the sun, only to be left feeling hungry and disheartened. Seeing Amanda lose 15½st while enjoying meals that she loves which keep her full and satisfied is truly inspiring. I'm incredibly proud of her journey – it’s exactly why I became a Slimming World Consultant, to support members like Amanda in making lasting, positive changes.”

Group: Amanda attends the Runcorn Slimming World group in Cheshire run by Consultant Ruth Newall. For more information or to find your nearest group, visit slimmingworld.co.uk.

Amanda Hetherington

Starting weight: 29st 7lbs/ 187kg

Weight lost: 15st 7lbs/ 98.5kg

Current weight: 14st/ 88.5kg

Height: 5ft 7in/ 1.7m

BEFORE

Breakfast: Cereal with toast and butter

Mid-morning: Cereal bar or chocolate bar  

Lunch: Shop-bought meal deal triple sandwich with mayo, pasty, bag of crisps and a chocolate bar  

Dinner: Takeaway normally a Chinese, beef curry and fried rice or sweet and sour chicken with chips and a variety of starters such as prawn toast or spring rolls followed by a large sharing bar of chocolate

Drinks: Water or diet cola. I’d only drink alcohol when going out socially and this would typically have been wine or cocktails

AFTER

Breakfast: Overnight oats made with fruit and fat free yoghurt

Lunch: Spiced chicken thighs with a halloumi salad in a pitta bread or chicken or tuna pasta salad or an omelette

Dinner: Slimming World's spaghetti and meatballs made with lean beef mince topped with reduced fat cheese served with a mixed salad

Snacks: Homemade hummus with vegetable sticks and a pitta bread with blue cheese quark dip, fruit

Drinks: Water or diet cola. Now when we go out, I’ll have gin and a slimline tonic

[1] Fad diets – promoting rapid weight loss without robust scientific evidence to support them – can be hard to ignore for people keen to lose weight quickly.  Popular ones include plans where you eat a very restrictive diet with few foods or an unusual combination of foods.

[2] Responses include those who lost weight initially but regained more weight than before when stopping

[3] The research was conducted by Censuswide, among a sample of 2,004 nationally representative consumers across the UK (aged 18+) along with a self-selecting sample of 1,380 Slimming World members via Slimming World’s member website. The data was collected between 19.07.2024 - 24.07.2024. Censuswide abides by and employs members of the Market Research Society and follows the MRS code of conduct and ESOMAR principles. Censuswide is also a member of the British Polling Council.

[4] Published in Clinical Nutrition Open Science

Marie Gregory, from Chesterfield, who’s worked at Slimming World’s head office in Somercotes for 13 years, picked up the title at the organisation's annual in-house awards ceremony.

The 43-year-old, started her career in the hospitality industry, working in a nightclub. Over the years, Marie worked in various roles, including a VIP hostess and head of reception. In 2010, Marie joined Slimming World’s warehouse department as an office temp for the summer. When a permanent role came up towards the end of her contract, Marie was encouraged to apply for a Planning Team Partner position.  

Now, Marie manages a team of nine as a Planning and Inventory Manager. The team looks after everything from customer care and service to supplier deliveries, returns and logistics. Marie says: “I had zero warehouse experience before applying for my temp role at Slimming World. I just knew I wanted to do something different at the time, and took a huge leap of faith when I decided to leave my previous job. I wanted a job that allowed me to have a better work/life balance – especially as I had a young son at the time – and working at Slimming World gave me that.

“My role has evolved massively over the past 13 years – I’ve been incredibly lucky to have a supportive team and an encouraging manager who always pushes me out of my comfort zone. I never thought all those years ago I would be here now, managing a team.”

Over the past few years, key elements of Marie’s role have changed and expanded: “Having to navigate a whole new way of working – both post-Brexit and during the pandemic was extremely challenging. The way we supported our customers – including head office staff, Slimming World Consultants and our suppliers and partners, also had to change. It was a difficult time, but I wouldn’t have changed a thing – as a team we’ve learned so much and it’s enabled us to adapt the way we work now, and put in place robust processes so we can continue providing the best support we can.”

Earlier this year, Marie found out she was in the running for Head Office Employee of the Year, after being nominated by her colleagues across the company. She says: “I genuinely didn’t think I was going to win. I was in such shock that it actually took few days to sink in. I knew Slimming World was a special place to work from my very first day. I remember being told it was like a family, and although I was quite sceptical at first, I very quickly realised just how true that was – everyone treated each other with such kindness, trust and respect, and that still rings true all these years later. Knowing I was voted for by my peers makes winning this award all that more special – it really means everything to me.”

Tom Marvell, Head of Field Support Services and Stock Operations at Slimming World says: “I’ve had the privilege of working with Marie across various departments for several years and, over the last year, I‘ve had the opportunity to work with her more closely, as her manager. Her enthusiasm, positive can-do attitude and dedication to the team, and organisation is beyond inspiring and there isn’t anyone who deserves it more – I’m so proud of Marie and everything she has achieved.”

Each year, Slimming World’s Head Office Employee of the Year award is given to a member of staff who embodies the company culture, and inspires others with their commitment, teamwork and dedication to deliver outstanding service, while inspiring others to be their very best too. All head office employees voted for colleagues who they felt displayed those qualities. They were then shortlisted, and the overall winner was selected by staff members, managers and directors, and announced on stage at Slimming World’s annual awards ceremony, which was held at the Birmingham International Convention Centre.

Marie will be invited to join the company’s founder Margaret Miles-Bramwell OBE, directors and other high achievers from across the company at a dinner at The Dorchester, London later this year to celebrate their success.

– ends –

To celebrate and express their gratitude to Slimming World for hitting this staggering fundraising milestone, Cancer Research UK presented the organisation with a specially commissioned piece of art by artists Bitter and Twisted.

Margaret Miles-Bramwell OBE, Slimming World’s founder and chair, received the unique piece at a ceremony at Slimming World’s Head Office in Alfreton, Derbyshire, attended by Slimming World colleagues and Cancer Research UK staff.

Margaret says: “We’re so proud of the generosity, hard work and tireless dedication Slimming World staff, members and Consultants have shown in raising more than £20m for Cancer Research UK – a truly incredible amount."

The illustration, which will be displayed at Slimming World’s Head Office, depicts the fun and inventive campaigns and activities Slimming World has fundraised and supported Cancer Research UK with. These include the Big Slimming World Clothes Throw, an annual event which sees Slimming World members, Consultants and Head Office staff donate the clothes that they’ve slimmed out of to local Cancer Research UK charity shops to sell. This initiative raised more than £2 million in 2024 alone.

Philip Almond, executive director of fundraising and marketing at Cancer Research UK says:

“Huge congratulations to Slimming World for reaching this incredible fundraising milestone. We know an enormous amount of work went into getting to this point and we are hugely grateful to all their staff, members and Consultants, for their continued dedication and generosity.

“The money that they have raised together over the past decade is funding Cancer Research UK’s pioneering work, which is saving lives in the UK and on a global scale. It’s thanks to our supporters and long-standing corporate partners such as Slimming World that we are able to continue this work, helping people live longer, better lives, free from the fear of cancer.”

Sam Wilmot, 27, and his fiancée Sophie Bailey, also 27, now have double cause for celebration, with Sam popping the question to Sophie shortly after their win.

Sam, who has lost an amazing 8st since January 2023, says: “We have more confidence and we’re fitter and healthier than ever. Getting married might have been something we’d have thought twice about before because we’d have shied away from the attention – now we can’t wait to celebrate on our big day.”

Slimming World’s Two Together competition aims to find the UK and Ireland’s most inspirational duo of slimmers. This could be a couple, two friends, family members or any two slimmers who attend the same group and have been on their weight loss journey together.

Sophie, who has lost 5st, says: “‘I’ve always been quite athletic and sporty, though my eating habits weren’t the best. I love playing football, but when I hurt my back, it meant I couldn’t play. That, coupled with a sedentary office job, meant I soon gained weight and I suspect that is what was making my back worse. Being in a new relationship with Sam also meant we were eating out all the time too. It got to a stage where we were both unhappy with our weight.”

Sam adds: “I’d been overweight for most of my life – in fact when I was younger a scan revealed I had curved shin bones because of my weight. A love of sport was something Sophie and I bonded over when we first met, but my weight was really holding me back from taking part – I’d become a much more of a spectator.

“The final straw came at Christmas 2022. As with all family occasions the camera soon came out – only this time we were really shocked by the photographs of us. We hardly recognised ourselves. My mum and dad had recently joined a Slimming World group thanks to the encouragement of my auntie Julia and were raving about how good the food was and how friendly the other members were, so that January we decided to take the plunge and join ourselves.”

Although the couple were a little apprehensive about joining a weight loss group, they soon began to enjoy attending their Slimming World group every week.

Sophie says: “The group was nothing like the stereotypes we’d seen on TV. Having Sam’s mum and dad there for support was a huge bonus but looking back we’d have been OK on our own, too. Everyone was so welcoming and friendly, and the eating plan was nothing like we were expecting – we're both big foodies so we loved adapting some of our favourite meals to make them Slimming World-friendly.”

After enjoying home-cooked dishes like spicy meatball pasta, Korean beef noodles and vegetable fried rice, Sam and Sophie were thrilled to find themselves losing weight each week.

Sam says: “The camaraderie of our group played a huge part in our success; we love going on a Saturday morning and setting ourselves up for a great week. Being surrounded by people from all walks of life who are all different yet all have a shared goal is really special.”

In time, Sam and Sophie got back into sport with the help of Slimming World’s physical activity support programme, which helps members to introduce – or like Sam and Sophie reintroduce – activity in a way that works with their lifestyle, and to build up at their own pace.

Sophie says: “As I began to feel fitter and healthier I started playing for a local team again, United Bristol Women FC, which I love. Sam has also got back into football by becoming a level 4 referee. I’m so proud of everything he has achieved. Thankfully though he’s only refereed one of my games – it didn’t end well, he tried to send me off!”

Now that Sam and Sophie have both reached their target weights, their new goal is to maintain the weight losses they worked so hard for. Sam says: “We still go to our group every week to check in and stay motivated. Now that we’re at target we feel that eating healthily is just a way of life and we have the odd treat here and there – it's all about balance for us. We know that we have the tools to stay slim for life thanks to Slimming World and the Slim for Life plan.

“For now, we’re busy planning our wedding and feel excited about our future together. We have always made each other happy but now it’s like we have a whole new take on life. There’s no way I could have achieved this without Sophie’s support. We make a great team – I can’t wait to call her my wife one day!”

You can view a video of Sam and Sophie’s story here.

VITAL STATS:
Name: Samuel Wilmot
Age: 27
Height: 5ft 9ins/175cm
Starting weight: 21st 4½lbs/298½lbs/135kg
Current weight: 13st 4½lbs/186½lbs/85kg
Weight loss: 8st/112lbs/50kg    
Size before: XXL
Size now: Medium
Date joined Slimming World: January 2023

VITAL STATS:
Name: Sophie Bailey
Age: 27
Name: Sophie Bailey
Height: 5ft 8ins/172cm
Starting weight: 16st 12lbs/236lbs/107kg   
Current weight: 11st 12lbs/166lbs/75kg 
Weight loss: 5st/70lbs/32kg
Dress size before: 20
Dress size now: 12
Date joined Slimming World: January 2023

Group: Sam and Sophie attend the Yate Slimming World group in Bristol held by Consultant Bonny Mills

Sam’s before menu
Breakfast: Sugary cereal, 2 slices of toast with peanut butter and banana, black coffee    
Lunch: Triple sandwich, crisps and a full-sugar cola plus a brownie               
Dinner: Curry made with a shop-bought jar, rice, naan bread, onion bhajis and samosas  
Snacks: Cereal bar, chocolate bar, tea and biscuits, toast with butter           

Sam’s after menu
Breakfast: Bowl of fat-free natural yogurt, berries, banana, muesli                 
Lunch: Chicken and feta salad with lettuce, tomato, onion and cucumber. High-protein yogurt
Dinner: Homemade tandoori chicken with rice and broccoli or beef stir fry with noodles
Snacks: Low-fat cheese, apples, bananas, hard-boiled eggs            

Sophie’s before menu
Breakfast: 3 slices of toast with butter, plus a pastry or sausage roll mid-morning  
Lunch: Shop bought meal deal with crisps, chocolate and a sugary energy drink   
Dinner: Takeaway chicken burger and chips
Snacks: Pack of bourbon biscuits, toast with butter

Sophie’s after menu
Breakfast: 40g cereal hoops with semi-skimmed milk or beans on toast      
Lunch: Chicken and feta salad with lettuce, tomato, onion and cucumber. High-protein yogurt
Dinner: Tandoori chicken with rice and broccoli or beef stir fry with noodles               
Snacks: Low-fat cheese, apples, bananas, peaches, nectarines 

Mum-of-three Lisa tried a range of weight loss methods, including hypnotherapy and weight loss groups. Over the years, she would lose weight and feel great, but the weight she’d lost always came back on – and more.

After being told that she had type 2 diabetes as well as high blood pressure, it was her increasingly concerning health that led Lisa to decide to take control of her weight for good.  Lisa’s GP gave her three months to make improvements to her health through lifestyle changes, before she would need to go on a variety of medication.

Lisa, who lives with her husband and three daughters, says: “I was at rock bottom, both physically and mentally. I knew I wanted and needed to make a change, but I just didn’t know how."

In February 2022, Lisa joined the Clifton Slimming World group. She says: “Being honest, I wasn’t convinced that it would work. I tried Slimming World years ago but looking back I realise that my head was never really in the game. This time though, my mindset had completely shifted, and I was ready to fully embrace everything Slimming World had to offer to help me on my weight loss journey.

“I was nervous about walking into group for the first time as I was self-conscious and embarrassed about my size. I pushed through the nerves though as I knew I had to do it for myself. I’m so glad I did, it’s the best decision I’ve ever made – for me and my family.

“I was welcomed straight away by my Consultant Sacha and the other group members, and I felt reassured and relieved. Everyone at group is so supportive and there is never any judgement.”

Lisa has since lost more than half her body weight by following Slimming World’s Food Optimising healthy eating plan and is still able to enjoy her favourite meals like a roast chicken dinner with her family. She has also increased her fitness and activity levels with Slimming World’s Body Magic physical activity support programme, and she now loves to do aqua aerobics and Clubbercise at her local leisure centre.

After losing more than 13st and increasing her activity levels, Lisa is now able to walk without being short of breath and will be taking part in a 5km event from Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life event series.

Lisa says: “I no longer see exercise as the enemy – I love it! I have gone from struggling to climb the stairs to climbing Snowdon and enjoying every second of it. I’m also gearing up for my upcoming Race for Life event and if you’d told me three years ago that I would be whizzing around a 5km course without becoming breathless, I’d have laughed in your face – now I can’t wait!"

Slimming World Consultant Sacha Patchett, who runs the group in Clifton that Lisa attends each week, says: “I’m so proud of Lisa and how she has embraced every element of her weight loss journey. She’s an inspiration to us all and I know she is going to love crossing the finish line at her Race for Life event!”

Alongside losing weight and improving her fitness, Lisa has also reversed her high blood pressure and seen her type 2 diabetes condition go into remission. Not only that, she has also gained stacks of confidence and can do things that she never thought she’d be able to, such as snorkelling and swimming with dolphins. She says: “I love getting involved in all kinds of activities and no longer feel held back by my weight. I can now accompany my youngest daughter who’s nine, on rides at the theme park and fit into wetsuits for underwater holiday excursions.”

Slimming World, which has been working with Cancer Research UK for more than a decade and has helped to raise more than £20m in fundraising, is an official sponsor of Race for Life 2024.

To enter, visit raceforlife.org  

The recipes give a taste of how Food Optimising, Slimming World’s healthy eating plan, can fit the range of dietary recommendations for people living with diabetes and pre-diabetes, such as varying amounts of carbohydrates.The launch includes recipes which have proven popular with members and cover a range of cuisines and dietary preferences, such as a number of vegetarian dishes.

Carolyn Pallister, Dietitian and Slimming World's Head of Nutrition, Research and Health, says: “We’re so excited to be sharing Food Optimising recipes for those living with diabetes and pre-diabetes.

“We’ve selected the recipes to also fit a variety of lifestyles. For example, there will be quick and easy meals for those with busy routines, as well as recipes that help expand your skills in the kitchen and that the whole family will love. Rest assured though, these aren’t the only recipes members living with diabetes can enjoy and follow Slimming World’s healthy eating plan.

“Many of our recipes are suitable just as they are or can be easily adapted to meet different dietary requirements and needs.” 

At least six recipes will be shared every 12 weeks to the Slimming World website, the exclusive member website, and on the Slimming World app.

Check out all available recipes here.

By 2050, it is predicted that the number of adults in the UK who are living with obesity will rise by 73% to 26 million people. Even with rising costs to the NHS and the UK economy – those living with obesity are more likely to be absent at work – the incumbent Government’s obesity strategy was subject to downgrading and U-turns. In 2023 it was effectively replaced with the announcement of a £40 million pilot to roll out GLP-1 weight-loss medication to a wider population.

Elise Wells, Slimming World Director, says: “It is easy to believe that the new generation of GLP-1 weight loss medications are the holy grail, but there are still issues with supply and they won’t be suitable for everyone. If, in future, they become the only treatment option available to help patients, it leaves those that for whatever reason can’t have them or don’t want them, with no support.”

Slimming World’s five calls to government are:

Call 1:  To actively support the option of evidence-based and effective lifestyle-based weight loss programmes so that healthcare professionals have a full range of treatment choices for people without medicalising obesity as the first and only option.

Call 2: To ensure effective and evidence-based wraparound support – comprising diet, physical activity, and behaviour change strategies – for people using weight-loss drugs, with a robust monitoring and evaluation strategy to ensure prescribers are compliant with these guiding principles of effective weight loss.

Call 3: Provide training for midwives on healthy weight management in pregnancy to ensure they have the knowledge, confidence and resources to support women during pregnancy.

Call 4: Establish a coherent strategy, long-term to recognise the link between overweight or obesity and type 2 diabetes and commit to removing the societal stigma, challenges and misconceptions that prevent people accessing diagnosis, treatment and support.

Call 5: Introduce training for healthcare professionals to enable sensitive and skilled conversations about weight. Mandatory training should be introduced for all healthcare professionals who interact with patients living with overweight and obesity to equip them with the skills to raise the issue of obesity and weight management sensitively and effectively.

Elise continues: “Slimming World believes that by adopting these five calls, a new government will be able to make a very real impact on the lives and health of people living with obesity.

“We understand the complexities of living with obesity, and the challenge of losing weight and maintaining that weight loss. People living with obesity need compassion, support and the tools to make behaviour changes and create healthy habits for life. We will welcome anyone who is struggling with their weight, including those prescribed weight loss medication, as we truly believe with Slimming World, they’ll discover how to make healthy lifestyle changes that will stay with them long after they stop having the injections.”

Download the full manifesto below.

The Big Slimming World Clothes Throw is an annual event which sees Slimming World group members, Consultants and employees donate pre-loved clothes – including those they’ve slimmed out of – to Cancer Research UK and the Irish Cancer Society to sell in stores across the UK and Ireland.

Last year, they raised more than £1.4 million for the charities through the initiative and continue to aim higher year on year.

Warren Cox, who works as a training specialist within the training and development team, was crowned Slimming World’s Head Office Employee of the Year at the company’s annual in-house awards ceremony. He was nominated by his colleagues who described working with him as ‘an absolute joy and pleasure’.

Warren, 36, who lives with his partner in Matlock, and has worked at Slimming World for more than six years, says: “We look forward to the Clothes Throw every year as it’s the perfect opportunity to have a good clear out of clothes we no longer need while raising money for Cancer Research UK. "

Slimming World’s Senior Marketing Co-ordinator Bethany Hayes says: “The Big Slimming World Clothes Throw is met with enthusiasm every year and is a much-loved fundraising activity at Head Office, as well as in our groups. Cancer has impacted the lives of so many of our colleagues, members and Consultants, so we’re pleased to support Cancer Research UK by raising funds to help the charity continue its life-saving research.

“Over the years, Slimming World has raised more than £20 million for Cancer Research UK through a variety of campaigns, including supporting the Race for Life event series.

“We hope that through our continued partnership with the charity, we’ll help raise awareness that maintaining a healthy weight reduces people’s risk of developing some types of cancer and other health conditions.”

It was the only weight loss brand recognised within the top 50 organisations. The workplaces were judged on a range of criteria, including culture and purpose, leadership, inclusion and employee experience. 

The judges’ notes said: “This is clearly an organisation with a clear purpose and heritage that is lived throughout the business.”

Lisa Dobbs, Director of Support Services at Slimming World, collected the award with a number of colleagues at a Gala Dinner at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. She said: “It might sound immodest but it’s no surprise to us to be named as one of the UK and Ireland’s most inspiring workplaces – because we know Slimming World is a brilliant place to work!

“Slimming World has always invested in people's development and its success has been built on the loyalty and commitment of staff, many of whom have worked for the company for most of their working lives.

“We know our people are our very greatest asset and we trust, believe and invest in them. We enjoy a range of benefits at our head office all aimed at helping us to enjoy a happy and healthy working life, from delicious, healthy meals at subsidised prices in our top-quality restaurant to an on-site gym and fitness classes, a healthcare plan and an option of 12-weeks’ free Slimming World membership each year.

“We pride ourselves on having a caring, performance-orientated culture – we’re all motivated to do a great job and provide excellent service to our 3,500 Consultants and 700,000 members, and we have fun doing it too!”

Matt Manners, Founder of The Inspiring Workplaces Group, said: “As the world seems to be facing more widespread and serious challenges, it is more vital than ever for organisations (big and small) to put their people first. Fostering environments and cultures their people both believe in and want to belong to.”

For more information about working at Slimming World or to see the latest vacancies, visit www.slimmingworld.co.uk/careers

Pictured: Slimming World staff at the Inspiring Workplaces Awards (L-R): Warren Cox, Lisa Dobbs, Jane Love, Carolyn Pallister, Tom Marvell. 

The only recipe kits developed in line with Slimming World’s flexible healthy eating plan, Food Optimising, Slimming World Kitchen’s meals are generously pre-portioned, super-convenient and perfect for busy schedules.

With 55 years of experience helping people to lose weight and keep it off, Slimming World now has a new way to make life a little easier for slimmers. The recipe boxes are ideal for Slimming World members following the Food Optimising eating plan and for anyone who wants the convenience of healthy, low-fat, tasty and top-quality meals in generous portions – delivered to their door.

Allison Brentnall, Slimming World’s Head of Food, says: “At Slimming World we’re passionate about deliciously healthy food. Encouraging our members to fill up on tasty home-cooked food is at the heart of our programme – it’s what’s helped millions of slimmers lose weight, keep it off and live happier, healthier lives.

“We’re thrilled to be launching this first-of-its-kind service. We know that not everyone has the time to plan, shop for and prepare home-made meals every day, so in 2015 we launched our Slimming World Free Food range at Iceland – convenient, ready-to-cook meals to keep in your freezer. They flew out of stores and we’re hoping our new Slimming World Kitchen subscription service generates just as much excitement, especially among our members who’ve told us they’re looking for time-saving ways to make cooking from scratch simpler.

“Life is busier than ever, so with our handy kits we do the shopping, give you just the right amount of ingredients and deliver it to the door. So, all you have to do is cook and enjoy – it’s straight from our kitchen to yours!”

Central to Slimming World’s plan is Free Food – nutritious, healthful foods that are low in energy density, meaning they’re low in calories yet filling and satisfying. These foods include lean meat and poultry, fish and seafood, plant-based proteins, pasta, rice and noodles, pulses, fat free dairy, eggs, veggies and fruit. Every Slimming World Kitchen recipe is made from 100 per cent Free Food ingredients - it’s the only recipe box service with a Free Food guarantee!

There’s a choice of 15 recipes every week and shoppers can build their box with up to five Slimming World meals, providing two or four generous portions each.

Allison continues: “We’ve been working with a team of experienced chefs and our in-house nutritionists to develop brand new recipes. New menus will be available every week, including veggie and vegan choices, family favourites and more adventurous dishes from around the world – so you’ll never get stuck in a rut!

“As all the ingredients have been measured and portioned there’s not a bit of waste. They also come with easy-to-follow recipes in a mini magazine. Every week, you’ll receive all 15 recipes – with a list of ingredients to cook them yourself when you’ve got more time.”  

Recipes include Char sui-style pork with noodles, Veggie jambalaya and Chicken tikka masala with cucumber salad. 

You can order as soon as the website goes live, deliveries are from 12^th June and priced from £10 per meal for two or £13 per meal for four. Anyone who orders before 12^th June will get free delivery on their first recipe box, saving £4.99. Head to Slimming World Kitchen to choose your menu today! - ends -