I’d always battled with my weight and tried so many diets over the years. I’d usually lose a bit of weight, but they just weren’t sustainable. When I had my son, Arlo, in 2016, it really escalated. I felt so uncomfortable squeezing into my size 20-22 clothes. And as a nurse, being on my feet for 12-hour shifts were agonising – then, when I had the chance to sit down, I could barely get back up.
Through my job, I was given an opportunity to try weight loss drugs from a private clinic. I was full of hope. I spent £1,712 on a six-month course of Ozempic and imagined I’d lose weight through my appetite being suppressed. However, that wasn’t my experience at all – I felt just as hungry as ever, and over the six months I put on 22lbs (10kg). I was so disappointed.
My lowest point came in September 2023, after a family wedding in Greece. 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.
I was really nervous walking into group, because I thought everyone would be looking at me. But Laura had already reassured me that we were all in the same boat – and actually, everyone was so welcoming and friendly. My Consultant, Debbie, explained the Food Optimising healthy eating plan, and after just one session, we were so inspired! We came away with a determination that we were going to make it work. When we saw the weight loss success of other members of our group, we knew we were in the right place. I lost 9lbs (4.1kg) that first week!
Something that really struck home was when Debbie asked us to think about our everyday habits and where we could make simple changes. It was such an eye-opener. I’d been living a really busy life, commuting to and from London for my job at St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington. I’d often grab food on the go without thinking about it – things like a mayo-heavy meal-deal sandwich, plus crisps or a chocolate bar and a fizzy drink.
I began swapping my usual microwave meals and fast food for delicious homemade spag bol, stews, chilli con carne and cheesy garlic bread. My husband, Michael, is from Ghana and we started adapting Ghanaian meals to Food Optimising versions by cooking them without oil – my jollof rice is a favourite.
I’m always using the recipe section on the app for inspiration, and once a month I order a Slimming World Kitchen box. I love taking leftovers to work for lunch rather than grabbing a shop-bought sandwich – I feel more satisfied and it’s far cheaper.
I used to find exercising difficult because of my painful hips and knees, but I’m so much more mobile since I lost weight. It’s opened up a new active lifestyle that wasn’t possible before – these days, I can play with my son at the park, and I’ve even started doing Couch to 5K.
I’m now a size 14-16 and life is easier in every way. Now I can’t wait to get some new holiday pics this summer!
Emma’s day on a plate
Before | After | |
|---|---|---|
Breakfast | Nothing, or a coffee on the go with croissants. Mid-morning snack: Biscuits. | |
Lunch | Meal-deal sandwich with crisps, chocolate and a full-fat fizzy drink. | Leftovers from last night’s dinner, or something from the Slimming World food range (like cauli mac and cheese), with water or diet cola to drink. |
Dinner | Fish and chips from the chip shop, followed by a ready-made cheesecake dessert. | A tasty Slimming World sweet potato curry, followed by fresh fruit, Hi-fi bars or yogurt. |
A study of UK adults* shows that despite more weight loss drugs being available, 69% of those surveyed say they’d be unlikely to take them. A quarter of those say it’s because they don’t want to change the way they eat, drink and socialise; 21% worry they wouldn’t be getting the nutrition they need for good health, and 20% say they love their food too much.
Carolyn Pallister, a registered dietitian and Slimming World’s head of nutrition, research and health, says: ‘There’s nothing quite like sharing a meal with friends and family, and for many of us, life just wouldn’t be the same without it. Sitting down to eat with others creates connections and builds relationships – that’s why food is at the centre of so many big events in our lives.
‘The great news is, despite what people may fear, losing weight doesn’t have to mean giving up that joy. When you’re desperate to lose weight, it can be tempting to chase quick fixes like weight loss injections, pills, surgery, or 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 because your diet is so different. But the truth is, there’s no silver bullet. Lasting weight loss comes from sustainable changes to our food, physical activity, and mindset.’
*Data relates to a nationally representative sample of 2,000 UK adults surveyed between 21st and 24th March 2025.
Weight loss will vary according to your individual circumstances and how much weight you have to lose.