Mum who 'spiralled out of control' says she is 'making up for lost time' with 6st weight loss

A mum-of-two said she is “making up for lost time” after she lost an impressive 6st 10lbs and has shared how she did it.

Sarah Williams, 41, from Stoke-on-Trent, was named Slimming World’s Diamond Member of the year 2024, said her weight had held her back from enjoying life with her family. Sarah’s weight loss journey started in 2013 when she and her husband Lee decided to tie the knot after 13 years together and her motivation to lose weight began.

When Sarah lost her dad in 2012, she started to gravitate toward comfort food. She said: “I’d been overweight from being a child and by the time I had my children – Millie, now 18 and Maisie, now 14 – in my late twenties, my weight had completely spiralled out of control. I was at my heaviest after my dad passed – I felt unhappy and was ashamed and frustrated with my weight.”

Sarah tried several quick-fit weight loss methods, like meal replacement shakes but found them difficult to sustain. “I was living on shakes as a substitute for food and if I lost any weight it always felt impossible to keep it off,” she said, as reported by Mirror affiliate StokeonTrentLive.

Sarah said she started comfort eating following the death of her dad

Sarah has lost more than 6 stone since starting her health journey

“And before I knew it, I’d be back at square one,” she continued. “I was just miserable and hungry, and knew I couldn’t carry on this way.”

The mum added: “Lee and I were so excited to finally get married. I knew I wanted to feel my best for our special day, however I felt anything but that when I was trying on dresses. Looking back now, I hadn’t coped well with the grief of losing my dad, and it made me realise how much I wanted to be around for my family for as long as possible. I knew the only way I could that though was by looking after myself first – and that started with my weight.”

With the wedding just one year away, Sarah went to Slimming World in the hopes it would help her to lose the weight. She said: “I’d been a member in the past so knew I was in a safe environment, however I still felt embarrassed walking back into a group at first. I was instantly reminded of why I had no reason to be though, everyone was so lovely and welcoming.

“While I’d wanted to lose weight the times I’d tried before, something had clicked when I listened to my consultant Paula explain the importance of building healthy new habits, and I’d realised the only way I could do that was by changing my habits – and for good this time. I had a different mindset from that very first group.

Sarah made major changes to her diet in order to lose weight

Sarah went to Slimming World in order to lose the weight

“I knew the plan worked, but reading through the books I was given at my first group with fresh eyes helped me embrace it in a completely different way and see where I might have got tripped up in the past. I used these, alongside the Slimming World app to start planning my meals ahead of my weekly shop and found it helped steer away from self-sabotaging as I was becoming more aware of my trigger foods.

“However, knowing that I could still enjoy a treat when I fancied, like a lager, helped me stay on track. I was just learning how to enjoy it in moderation now and going to the group each week helped me to turn the changes I was making into habits. The way I shop, cook and eat has changed now.

“I cook homemade meals from scratch, like chicken stir-fry or beef stroganoff, every day. It works so easily for us a family too – I love that we can all enjoy the same meals. I’ve never felt like I’m on a diet and I’m never hungry because I’m still eating normal, everyday foods. It’s just a way of life for me now. I managed to lose 3st before my wedding, and felt amazing.”

She continued: “I’m so grateful for Paula and the other members in the group. It hasn’t been plain sailing though, there were times after reaching the target I set myself when I’ve struggled with finding the balance to maintain my weight rather than lose or gain. I found going to the group every week has helped me not be too hard on myself though and encouraged me to embrace and celebrate non-scale victories too, like feeling confident in new outfits or trying a new fitness class on my own.

Sarah cooks homemade meals from scratch

Sarah said she had tried to lose weight several times before her successful bid

“Slimming World has completely changed my life. I spent most of my adult life hiding away, too embarrassed to get involved in family activities like swimming or bike riding, and missing out on special occasions because I’d struggle to find something clothes that I felt confident in. Now I’m making up for lost time, and just enjoying life to the fullest!

“My relationship with my husband has also benefitted massively – we can enjoy simple things like going on date nights together now because I no longer feel self-conscious. Shopping for clothes is more enjoyable experience too – and something I love doing with my daughters.”

What Sarah eats now

Breakfast: Overnight oats using fresh fruit like peaches, strawberries and plums

Lunch: Homemade salad with skinless cooked chicken pieces or quiche and couscous salad

Dinner: Slimming World diet cola chicken, fish or chicken stir-fries, steak with homemade chips

Snacks: Fat-free yogurt with fresh fruit, Slimming World high-fibre bars, a half pint of lager or glass of prosecco

Image Credits and Reference: https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/mum-who-spiralled-out-control-34467516