When doctors told Nikki Ricks she was on the verge of getting diabetes she changed her diet and lifestyle. She lost five stone, slimming down to a slender size 16 and improving her health.
In 2003 Nikki was temporarily left blind in one eye due to a retina detachment and needed an emergency surgery. Thankfully she got her sight back but she was diagnosed with the same condition again but in her other eye in 2007.
A few years ago, when she weighed 19st 7.5lbs, doctors gave Nikki three months to make some major changes or she'd need to start medication for type-2 diabetes. Speaking to the Derbyshire Telegraph, she said: "After being warned in September 2020 that my blood sugars were high, I was told I needed to have a blood test for type 2 diabetes again in December 2020.
"I’d convinced myself that if I just didn’t have any sugar in the days running up to it (over Christmas), I’d be ok. How wrong was I? I was devastated when the nurse told me I was showing symptoms of type 2 diabetes and that if I didn’t do anything I’d need to go on insulin as early as February.
"It was the wake-up call I needed though. I could already see that my feet were swollen (which can be a symptom) and was so worried that this diagnosis would have an impact on my sight too."
Nikki began struggling with her weight following her mother's death in 1998, at the time she was expecting her son Kieran, who is now 24. During the pandemic, she gained more weight and in 2021 she joined Slimming World in a bid to shift the pounds.
Initially, the weekly sessions were done virtually and Nikki was delighted to lose 5.5lbs in her first week. She has gone on to lose nearly five stone in total and has gone down four dress sizes.
Nikki, who was a size 22/24 , is now full of confidence. She said: "By the time of my next check in February 2021, I’d lost 10% of my body weight and the test showed I’d reversed all of the symptoms!
"Everyone in the GP surgery was astonished and when my nurse heard the news, as she’d been off that day, she rang me to say congratulations as they couldn’t believe such a change in numbers in such a short space of time. Now my energy levels are soaring, and my confidence is the highest it’s been since I was a teenager, I just adore sharing this feeling with other people.
"Life is completely different now. We go on more holidays abroad and I don’t have to worry if the seatbelt on the plane will fit around me. My stomach doesn’t touch the steering wheel like it used to either and I no longer have to find a parking space with a space free so I can get in and out of it.
"I’m so proud of what Kieran and I have achieved, and I think my mum would be proud too. I feel the healthiest in decades and I’m pleased to say that my swollen feet and acid reflux are a thing of the past, and my sight is still going strong.”
Nikki, who has worked at Slimming World's Somercotes head office for nearly 21 years, launched her own group in January. Her members meet at Fritchley Village Hall on Thursdays at 9am and 10.30am.
Now motivated to help other people lose weight, she said: "My role at Slimming World head office means that I know how to eat healthily and the importance of being active, but I needed to be in the right place emotionally to be open to making changes. Losing weight isn’t easy – if it were there wouldn’t be a weight problem in the UK. That’s why the support of my Slimming World group has been so important.
“Being surrounded by people on the same journey, who really ‘get it’ means you feel comfortable sharing personal details and relationships with food and drink that you might not discuss with anyone else. We have so much fun in our Fritchley Slimming World groups and I just adore my members."
