I felt like I was stuck on a dieting merry-go-round – and I just couldn’t get off. My weight had slowly crept up ever since I had my children Jonathan and Kerri (now 29 and 26), and no matter what I tried, nothing seemed to stick. I’d thrown myself into so many different diets, but they all left me feeling hungry, fed up and like I was missing out. In the end, I’d give up… and the weight would come back, plus a bit more.

Things really hit home at a routine GP appointment, when I was told I had type 2 diabetes and would need to take insulin. I remember feeling completely overwhelmed. It seemed like my health was slipping away from me, and my confidence went with it. I found living with type 2 diabetes quite scary – it was a constant battle to keep my blood sugar under control, as my diet was all over the place. 

But the real turning point came on holiday. I sat down on a plastic deckchair… and it broke underneath me. I was absolutely mortified. Everyone looked round, and I just wanted the ground to swallow me up. That was one of those moments where you think: this can’t carry on. I didn’t recognise myself any more, and I hated the way I felt.

At around the same time, my daughter Kerri was due to have a baby, and that made me think even more. I wanted to be there – properly there – to see my grandchild grow up. Not worrying about my health, not struggling to keep up. That was the push I needed.

So, in August 2018, I walked into my local Slimming World group. I was nervous, but also hopeful. When my Consultant, Anna, sat down with me and explained how Food Optimising works, I honestly couldn’t believe it. The idea that I could eat proper, filling meals and still lose weight felt almost too good to be true.

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I began cooking more at home, starting my day with a satisfying breakfast and making my favourite savoury mince for tea. The group helped me to identify my stoppers – the things that had got in my way when I’d tried to lose weight all those times before. I realised it was when I was rushed off my feet that I’d grab whatever I could to eat. So, during busy times, I’d get some Slimming World meals from Iceland, so I could stay on track. For the first time, I didn’t feel hungry or deprived. And that made all the difference.

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As the weight started to come off, I noticed changes I hadn’t really anticipated at the start. Little things, like not being out of breath walking upstairs, or choosing to take the stairs instead of the lift without even thinking about it. My joints didn’t ache as much, I had more energy, and I just felt better in myself.  

Reaching my target weight in January 2025 was such an emotional moment. I’d dropped from a size 20 to a size 8, and I honestly don’t think I’d ever believed I could do that. But, more importantly, my health had improved so much – and that included my blood sugar levels.

Maintaining my weight has been a new challenge, but it feels very different this time around. I’m not obsessing over the scales or punishing myself. It’s about balance, making choices that feel right, and enjoying a way of living I know I can stick to long term.

The biggest surprise of all has been where this journey’s taken me. After everything Slimming World had given me, I knew I wanted to give something back. So, in April 2025, I became a Consultant.

Looking back, the support from my group was everything. The encouragement, the understanding, the friendships – that’s what kept me going. And now, being able to help other people feel the way I do is just incredible.

I want other people to know that change is possible when you’re kind to yourself and have the right support. Slimming World didn’t just help me lose weight – it gave me my life back, a future I feel excited about, and even a career that fits perfectly around my family. And now, as a very proud grandma, I’m making the most of every single moment.

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Weight loss will vary due to your individual circumstances and how much weight you have to lose.