Sam Monk, 39
Starting weight | 21st 7lbs |
Weight now | 10st 7lbs |
Weight lost | 11st |
Height | 5ft 5ins |
Sisters Anne (on the right in our photo above) and Sam (on the left) lost more than 22st (139.7kg) between them after starting their weight loss journey ahead of Anne’s wedding.
Sadly, just six weeks after they joined, they suffered a terrible loss – but the support from each other, their Slimming World Consultant and their group helped them stay on track.
Now they enjoy healthier versions of their favourite meals, go to fitness classes and are the active, hands-on mums they’ve always wanted to be.
Anne and Sam are the winners of our Two Together title, a competition that celebrates duos who’ve lost weight together in a Slimming World group.
Anne and Sam, from Chadwell St Mary in Essex, started their life-changing weight loss journey together after Anne got engaged. What started as a mission to feel confident for the big day turned into a total transformation – one that neither of them could have imagined.
First aid trainer Anne, who’s now married to Ben and has a 16-year-old daughter called Paige, and primary school teacher Sam, who lives with her 15-year-old daughter Lily, realised the toll their weight was taking on their health and everyday lives. In their physically demanding jobs, they often found themselves struggling to get up off the floor or to walk upstairs without being out of breath.
They were both told they had prediabetes and, in 2021, Sam had to have her gall bladder removed – which she believes was due to her poor diet.
Sam’s day on a plate
Before | After | |
|---|---|---|
Breakfast | Two slices of thick white toast with lots of butter, plus a croissant and an energy drink. | Egg muffins with ham, cheese, onion and mushrooms. |
Lunch | A thick white buttered bread sandwich filled with ham, cheese, coleslaw and lots of salad cream, plus a chocolate bar, crisps and a full-fat yogurt. | Chicken and bacon pasta salad, including lettuce, cucumber, onion, peppers, grated carrot, beetroot, cheese and a homemade fat-free dressing. |
Dinner | Frozen pizza, chips, onion rings and garlic bread. | Beef strip ramen noodle bowl with boiled eggs, packed with veg (mushrooms, spring onions, baby corn, cabbage and mangetout). |
Snacks | A chocolate bar, two cherry bakewells, a large bag of sweets, a share bag of tortilla chips with a whole pot of sour cream dip. | A packet of baked crisps, two Slimming World Hi-fi bars, low-fat yogurt and a small chocolate bar. |
Anne getting engaged was the catalyst for change. With the wedding in mind, the sisters joined their local Slimming World group, determined to take back control of their health once and for all. Anne says:
‘When we saw that our friends who were Slimming World members were eating real, tasty food and losing weight, we decided to give it a go. We were nervous before we first walked through the doors, but we didn’t need to be. Our weight was kept private and we were made to feel welcome from the get-go.’
Are you worried about joining a group? Watch what really happens in our behind-the-scenes video
Tackling tough times, together
Sadly, just six weeks after they joined, tragedy struck when their dad, Todd, passed away. Sam, who’s since lost an astounding 11st (69.8kg), says:
‘It was such a difficult time, and we could’ve easily used it as a reason to give in – but continuing with Slimming World gave us purpose. Being part of a group helped us to cope, and having control of our weight (when life felt out of control otherwise) really helped. We know our dad would be so proud of us.’
Their mum, Jane, has also played a big part in encouraging them. Sam says: ‘She calls us every single week after group to ask how we’ve got on – she’s our biggest cheerleader.’
Anne – who’s lost an incredible 11st 3½lbs – acknowledges that while their bond has been key to their journey, they couldn’t have done it without their Slimming World Consultant, Susan, and their group. She says:
‘Our group became a safe space where we could talk about any potential hurdles coming up and ways to manage them, like meal prepping or planning ahead. There’s never any judgement. Going to group keeps me accountable and sets me up for a successful week ahead.
‘It’s not just about you, though – you learn so much from the other members. Often, the challenges they share are things you’ve experienced or worried about yourself, so you learn from how they handle them and feel less alone. We’ve made friends for life there. We laugh, we cry and we lift each other up.’
Making simple changes – and still feeling satisfied
Anne and Sam followed Slimming World’s healthy eating plan, which empowers members to enjoy everyday foods like pasta, potatoes, fruit, lean meats and more – all without counting calories or feeling restricted. Anne says:
‘We still have satisfying meals. It doesn’t feel like a diet – it just feels like we’ve learned how to eat well now. Our meals are always a healthy balance of carbs, protein and fibre, and are packed full of goodness.’
Anne’s day on a plate
Before | After | |
|---|---|---|
Breakfast | Three crumpets with lots of butter, plus a croissant and an energy drink. | Ham and eggs. |
Lunch | Two white rolls filled with cheese, ham, lettuce and mayo, plus crisps and cake or a pork pie. | Slimming World wraps filled with turkey slices and grated carrot, plus two boiled eggs, cucumber and beetroot on the side. |
Dinner | Chicken Kyiv, chips, baked beans and onion rings. | Homemade sweet and sour chicken, mashed potatoes, peppers, mushrooms and courgette. |
Snacks | An assortment of chocolate bars, a share bag of crisps with a dip, cake. | Roast chicken bites, low-fat yogurt, Hi-fi bars, fresh fruit. |
As the weight began to come off, the sisters started to think about becoming more active. Sam says:
‘In the beginning, we weren’t even thinking about exercising – it felt far too daunting. But Susan explained the many benefits of being active – as well as supporting our weight loss, it helps with things like improving our mental wellbeing and getting stronger. Slimming World’s activity support programme was perfect for us, as it’s all about building up at a pace that’s right for you. And we loved that it didn’t mean we had to go to the gym every day!
‘Other people in our group talking about how they’d started moving more took away some of the fears we had, and we realised that getting fitter is something everyone can do – you’ve just got to find the right activity. We started with short walks and then discovered trampolining fitness classes, which we love. We never thought we’d enjoy exercise, but now we genuinely look forward to it!’
A day to remember
When Anne’s big day arrived in November 2023, both sisters felt confident and ready to celebrate everything they’d achieved. Anne says:
‘Walking down the aisle with Sam beside me felt like a dream come true. Not just because I was getting married – but because we’d worked so hard to become the healthiest, happiest versions of ourselves.’
Susan, their Consultant, says she’s been moved and inspired by the sisters’ dedication and positivity:
‘Anne and Sam are a really special part of our group. They show up every week with kindness, humour and determination – even during the hardest times. Watching them grow in confidence and become such inspirational members has been incredible. I was honoured to be invited to Anne’s wedding. It was a beautiful day and seeing them both beam with pride made it truly unforgettable.’
With a new-found confidence and zest for life, the sisters say they feel like completely different people – both physically and emotionally. They’re the active mums they’d always wanted to be, and are looking forward to happy and healthy futures with their families.
Count down to a slimmer summer
Would you love to lose weight for a special occasion – and keep it off for life? Join Slimming World between 6th and 26th July and you’ll receive a FREE recipe book packed with fuss-free, five-ingredient dishes. Find out more (terms and conditions apply).
Weight loss will vary according to your individual circumstances and how much weight you have to lose.