At my heaviest, I felt like I was watching life pass me by. I’d been diagnosed with prediabetes, and I had rising cholesterol, thyroid problems and constant pain in my knees and hips. I didn’t recognise the person looking back at me in the mirror, and I certainly didn’t feel comfortable in my own skin. More than anything, though, I was frightened about what the future might hold for my health. 

I felt older than my years and physically exhausted. One moment that really stayed with me was falling over in the garden and being unable to stop myself. The fall left me with injuries to my shoulder and hand, and I needed physiotherapy to help me recover. It was a stark reminder of how much my health and mobility had declined. 

I wanted so much more for my life. I wanted to feel fit, strong and healthy. I wanted to run around with my grandchildren, make memories with them and embrace everything life had to offer. Instead, I felt trapped by my weight and my health problems. That fall was the wake-up call I needed – I knew something had to change. 

When I heard about a referral scheme offering 12 free weeks of Slimming World membership through my employer, I decided to take that first step, and joined Slimming World Online in January 2024. 

How does Slimming World Online work?

I’d lost weight with Slimming World before, so I already knew the plan worked. This time, though, my reasons felt deeper. I wasn’t just looking to lose weight. I wanted to regain my health, my confidence and my future. 

After losing my first stone, life took an unexpected turn. My dad was reaching the final stages of prostate cancer, and naturally, my focus shifted completely to him. Caring for him during those precious final months became my priority, and my own needs were pushed aside. 

Losing my dad was incredibly difficult. For so long, all my energy had gone into looking after him, and I hadn’t given much thought to my own wellbeing. As I started to process everything that had happened, I realised I didn’t want my health to keep going in the same direction. I decided it was time to start taking care of myself again. 

In February 2025, I restarted my Slimming World Online journey weighing 13st 7lbs (85.7kg). This time, I was determined not to give up on myself.  

As a lifelong food lover, Food Optimising was the key to my success because it never felt like a diet. I wasn’t cutting out foods I loved or constantly feeling hungry. Instead, I was learning a healthier, more sustainable way of eating that I knew I could stick to for life. 

Discover Slimming World’s healthy eating plan, Food Optimising 

In the past, I’d tried restrictive diets that left me feeling miserable and deprived. It’s no surprise they never lasted. Before Slimming World, my eating habits often revolved around convenience rather than nourishment. I usually skipped breakfast, lunch was often leftover takeaway, and evenings were frequently accompanied by crisps, biscuits, cakes or more takeaways. 

Today, my relationship with food couldn’t be more different. I love cooking from scratch, trying new recipes and discovering healthier versions of my favourite meals. Rather than feeling restricted, I feel inspired.

Week by week, the weight came off and my confidence began to grow.

For years, exercise felt completely out of reach. I was barely managing 1,500 steps a day and often avoided leaving the house altogether. The idea of enjoying physical activity seemed impossible. 

I started small, with the Slimming World activity videos and short walks. Little by little, my fitness improved, and each small achievement gave me the confidence to do a bit more. 

Before long, I was trying new things and pushing myself further than I ever thought I could. These days, I do Pilates, strength training, running and walking. 

Never in a million years would I have believed I’d hear myself say, ‘I love exercise’. I hated it as a teenager, but as a menopausal middle-aged woman, I absolutely love it. I’ve even got muscles! 

The biggest reward, though, isn’t the activity awards I’ve earned or the fact that I’m fitter and stronger. It’s being able to run around with my grandchildren, join in fully and enjoy every precious moment with them without worrying about what my body can and can’t do. 

By September 2025, I’d lost an incredible 4st (25.4kg) and reached my target weight. The change in my health has been just as remarkable as the change on the scales. 

I’m no longer prediabetic, my cholesterol has returned to a healthy range and my thyroid levels are now normal, too. When my GP talked me through the improvements, I felt incredibly emotional. For so long I’d been worried about where my health was heading. Now, for the first time in years, I feel hopeful, healthy and in control of my future.

Reaching my target weight changed my life, but maintaining it gave me something even more valuable: the confidence to help others achieve what I once thought was impossible. 

That’s why I decided to become a Slimming World Consultant. I now have the privilege of supporting people who are setting out on their own journeys to better health. 

Find out more about becoming a self-employed Slimming World Consultant

I know how overwhelming it can feel when you’re struggling with your weight and worried about your health. That’s why seeing members discover their confidence, improve their health and realise what they’re capable of means so much to me. 

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