Mum and daughter Carol and Johannah Crabtree have lost more than 15stone between them, all thanks to motherly love.
Carol’s weight had spiralled to over 19st after the tragic death of her son Gavin in 2018 following complications from a heart attack.
“If I analyse myself, I had probably gotten to a stage where it didn’t matter what I ate, I just ate,” says 56-year-old Carol, who is from Thurnscoe, South Yorkshire, and works in a GP surgery.
“I was a total couch potato. I didn’t eat healthy at all. Lots of takeaways, lots of the nice stuff like chocolate, beer and crisps. Just the general stuff that you’re not really supposed to have but you do.”
However, when her daughter Johannah, now 29, who weighed 23st 1lbs, joined Slimming World in November 2021 Carol was determined to support her.
“I changed for Johannah,” says the proud mother. “That’s why I joined, to help Johannah, after what had happened, I wanted to encourage her.”
Since then the mother-daughter duo have gone on to help each other lose a staggering 15st 11.5lb between them in 15 months.
Johannah, who works as a carer, explains that she tried to get fit during lockdown, but lost motivation. However, she knew someone who’s daughter is a Slimming World consultant, so suggested she give it a try.
“I said to my mum, one day, ‘Shall we go to Slimming World?’,” says Johannah. “And my mum didn’t want to, but she did. I never thought I’d do as well as I have done. I think because we supported each other. I think it was probably a lot better, it was probably easier.”
The pair began eating healthily with the support of their weekly group, where they swap recipes and hold each other accountable. Carol, who has now lost 7st 3.5lb, says, “In my early years, they were stupid diets like fasting diets and things like that and they’re all short term diets. This is the only one that I won’t really call a diet, I’d call it a lifestyle.”
Johannah, who has already shed 8st 8lb, agrees. "There’s nothing that you can’t have. It’s everything in moderation,” she says.
The women have also found a new love of walking, exploring local beauty spots and going on holidays to North Yorkshire to climb hills.
“I feel really good, I would say I’ve almost got a spring in my step, whereas before everything was an effort,” explains Carol, who also no longer has high blood pressure as a result of the weight loss.
“People that have not seen us for a while are really shocked,” she laughs. “You can almost see that they’re thinking, ‘Is she poorly?’ But when they ask ‘Are you alright?’ then its like, ‘You look brilliant’ and that kind of thing.”
Aside from losing weight, the pair have also gained a stronger bond. “Obviously we were always close,” says Johannah, “but not as close as now.”
Johannah Crabtree
Starting weight: 23st 1lb
Weight lost: 8st 8lb
Current weight: 14st 7lb
Height: 5ft 8in
BEFORE:
Breakfast: Nothing
Lunch: Shop-bought sandwich, crisps and chocolate
Dinner: Chinese or Indian takeaway
Snacks: Crisps, biscuits, chocolate
Drinks: Fizzy drinks
AFTER
Breakfast: Porridge and fruit
Lunch: Chicken salad and a yoghurt
Dinner: Salmon and vegetables cooked in low-fat spray oil
Snacks: Banana, rice cakes
Drinks: 2-3 litres of water
Carol Crabtree
Starting weight: 19st 0.5lb
Weight lost: 7st 3.5lb
Current weight: 11st 11lb
Height: 5ft 4in
BEFORE:
Breakfast: Bacon sandwich on buttered white bread with ketchup
Lunch: Shop-bought cheese sandwich, crisps and chocolate
Dinner: Chinese takeaway or KFC
Snacks: Crisps, biscuits, chocolate
Drinks: Fizzy drinks
AFTER
Breakfast: Mixed fruit and low fat yoghurt
Lunch: Chicken with salad or rice
Dinner: Lasagne with lots of vegetables
Snacks: Fruits, Slimming World high fibre bars
Drinks: Peppermint tea, coffee, water
