Three women tell The Mirror how joining Slimming World gave them an exciting new start.
Sarah Cullimore: 'Now I know that I can do anything'
Sarah, 30, is a customer experience leader at a fast-food restaurant and Slimming World Consultant and lives in County Carlow, Ireland.
Before finding Slimming World, I craved instant weight-loss results and gave up when I didn’t get them.
When I started trying to lose weight in my early 20s, I thought restricting what I ate was the only answer. When diet after diet inevitably failed, I’d blame myself for having no willpower.
It was when I saw a photo of myself as a bridesmaid that my mindset shifted. In the picture I was smiling, but I could see through to the unhappy person underneath. Then, one Wednesday morning in January 2020, I decided enough was enough and joined my local Slimming World group.
From the moment I was greeted by my Consultant, Jennifer, I could tell she’d been in my shoes and that she genuinely cared. Members shared stories about overcoming difficult relationships with food, issues that had crushed their self-esteem, and fears that there would never be any escape. It was a weight off my shoulders to know I wasn’t the only one going through these things.
I built up healthy new habits, and steadily my weight began to fall. I ditched the mentality about my transformation happening overnight and embraced the small changes.
Now, I was eating meals that satisfied my appetite. I realised that in the past I’d overeaten because I believed if I had one ‘bad’ thing the damage had been done and I may as well have more but, for the first time in years, I was actually enjoying my food.
SARAH’S STATS
Height: 5ft 3in
Starting weight: 12st 12½lb
Weight now: 9st 4½lb
Total lost: 3st 8lb
When lockdown hit, I carried on going to the group virtually, and when I returned to work in summer 2020 after being furloughed, I needed a uniform in a smaller size. Within 10 months I’d lost 3st and I decided to drop my target weight to 9st 4lb.
With my increased confidence I decided to train as a Slimming World Consultant and now I’m the one greeting new members. them are in a dark place, and having had my own struggles, I can reassure them that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. I know now that if I approach anything I can do it. And I’m looking forward to a brighter, more confident future.
Rachel Falcus: 'I love being a role model to my kids'
Rachel, 42, is a full-time Slimming World Consultant and lives in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne.
Becoming a mum to my two sons James, now 18, and Liam, now 15, left my confidence at an all-time low. My weight was a constant worry, and I didn’t feel like a good role model for them. I wanted to be an active mum and be able to keep up.
The idea of joining a Slimming World group in September 2007 was daunting at first, but I soon came to realise that I was in a room full of like-minded people – they were all there for the same reason. The feeling in my group was like nothing I’d ever experienced before. For the first time, I didn’t feel alone with my weight worries.
I started following Slimming World’s Food Optimising eating plan and swapped ready meals and takeaways for homemade dishes.
I’d never cooked from scratch before, and here I was making healthier versions of the foods I loved.
It felt good to be cooking for my family, especially knowing I was serving up healthy food. Now, it’s second nature. My husband Craig and I look at the Slimming World app each Sunday to decide what we’ll eat that week, and then spend time together cooking.
RACHEL’S STATS
Height: 5ft 4in
Starting weight: 15st 2½lb
Weight now: 10st 7lb
Total lost: 4st 9½lb
In just over a year, I lost 4st 91/2lb and hit my target weight of 10st 7lb. I was bursting with confidence, and I was even inspired to get active – despite finding the idea of exercise overwhelming in the past.
Within two years, I was running the London Marathon as part of Slimming World’s team for Cancer Research UK.
Joining Slimming World was life-changing because it allowed me to be the healthy, happy parent I wanted to be. And when I saw an opportunity to become a Consultant, it struck me that it could change my life in other ways. I wanted to help people just as Slimming World had helped me.
I left my job in the civil service to become a full-time Consultant. It gives me the flexibility to be there more for my children, as I can tailor my hours around the school run.
When I first started losing weight, with two small children, it felt as though there was never enough time, especially for me. By the time I had my daughter, Emily, now eight, I’d realised that it’s far from selfish to prioritise yourself – if you feel more in control and happier, you’re better able to be there for your family and friends.
I’ve maintained my weight loss for nearly 15 years and been named Slimming World’s Top Target Consultant 2023. I’m living life to the full. The best thing of all, though, is that I’ve been a positive role model for my children as they’ve grown – and that will keep on being my motivation.
Abby Murdy: 'I’m much more confident today'
Abby, 22, is a midwife and Slimming World Consultant, who lives in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire.
Deciding to do something about my weight was scary. My hands were shaking when I opened the door to my first Slimming World group. Taking that first step was the hardest part though, because as soon as I arrived the group scooped me up with open arms and I knew that I’d found the support I needed.
When my Consultant explained the Slimming World Food Optimising eating plan, I couldn’t believe I could still eat bacon sandwiches and Chinese meals. I’d tried so many different diets in the past, and I’d always ended up feeling deprived, then overeating the foods I couldn’t have. But the proof was in the plan and I started losing weight straight away.
As a trainee midwife, my diet before I joined Slimming World definitely fitted the student stereotype. My meals were usually something quick and unhealthy, and I drank quite a lot of alcohol. Breakfast would be cereal followed by white toast and butter. For lunch, I’d grab a pasty, and dinner would be a takeaway. I loved crisps, too.
Now I always feel full and satisfied. And my diet’s much more varied. Breakfast can be anything from a cooked breakfast or pancakes to yogurt and fruit. Lunch might be an omelette, a jacket potato or a pasta salad, while dinner is usually something hearty, like toad-in-the-hole, fajitas or hunter’s chicken.
ABBY’S STATS
Height: 5ft 3in
Starting weight: 13st 4lb
Weight now: 10st
Total lost: 3st 4lb
There are so many recipes to try on the Slimming World app and website. I also make my own Chinese fakeaways, as well as still socialising with friends and eating out. Knowing I can have the foods I love in moderation has helped me to break my old habits and I feel in control now.
Slimming World also has a physical activity support programme, Body Magic, which helps you to get more active. It doesn’t matter if you’ve never done any exercise before as you take things at your own pace. That took away the fear for me. I’ve gone from struggling to walk up the stairs to my flat to loving the gym and spin classes.
Looking back to that first night in the group I realise how much my weight was getting in the way of life. It was affecting my work, because I was so self-conscious.
These days I feel like a different person – not just physically but mentally, too. I’m much more outgoing and confident. I’m working as a qualified midwife, and I also run my own Slimming World group.
The big difference between Slimming World and other weight-loss plans I’ve tried is the support – it means you’re never alone on your weight-loss journey.
I tell everyone who walks through the door of my group that Slimming World changed my life, and it can change yours too.
