14/09/2025
Not only did our amazing Nicola lost 10 stone in 364 days!! after realising her weight was a contributing factor to the devastating stroke she experienced but she has kept the weight off for over 5 years!!
'When I was 41, my son Ben, who was 14 at the time, returned from school to find me lying on the bed unconscious. An ambulance was called and it turned out I'd had a stroke. I was in hospital for a week, I couldn't speak and I had no sensation down my right-hand side. Results of tests showed that I had a hole in my heart and needed surgery. Although everything went okay with the operation, I knew that being overweight had been a contributing factor to the stroke. Having lost my own Mum when she was only 43, I couldn't bear the thought of not being around for my own children.
I’d struggled with my weight since childhood and, being a yo-yo dieter as an adult, I’d tried many times on my own to lose weight. It would work for a bit, then I’d put the weight back on as I’d feel restricted and unable to eat the foods I love. I knew what I needed was a long-term solution not a quick fix.
When a Slimming World leaflet came through my door and I decided to join. Although a bit scared, as soon as I walked in, my fears went away, and I was put at ease as everyone was so welcoming. As I heard my Consultant, Lori, talk about the plan and the support that surrounded it, I remember thinking, ‘this could actually work’! I felt like finally there was something that could fit in with my lifestyle – and it has. In a year, I lost 10st and the biggest achievement for me is I’ve kept the weight off ever since.
Perhaps the biggest surprise for me about joining Slimming World is that I never expected to meet so many lovely people. As well as Lori, it’s the other members who keep me motivated - and we share amazing recipe ideas! I’ve made new friends and the support we give each other is unreal. Nobody judges you, you’re all there for the same reason, and you’re there with people who understand the challenges in trying to lose weight – and the joys when you do. I use the Slimming World app daily and the barcode scanner is so useful and such a time-saver when I’m out shopping.
What I find incredible about the Slimming World plan is the fact that you can eat the foods you love, never go hungry and still lose weight. It’s so flexible. I cook from scratch now, I’ve cut out butter and I use low calorie cooking spray instead of oil. I never feel like I’m missing out though, I’ve just adapted the way I shop and cook. We’re quite a sociable family so we’ll often visit the local pub or enjoy meals out with friends and none of that has had to stop. I can still socialise and lose weight, just by making some simple switches.
Slimming World has a physical activity support programme called Body Magic which inspired and helped me start to get more active. I did it gradually, at my own pace and I’ve taken up cycling. Now my daily bike ride can see me cycling anything between 10 and 20 miles!
Five years later I’m still so proud of what I’ve achieved. I’ve gone from a size 24 to a size 12 and I have so much more energy. Being healthier has given me a new zest for life and I’m over the moon that I can say yes to the things I love and still lose weight.”
