Stokie mum ‘making up for lost time’ after 6st weight loss – how she did it

A Stoke-on-Trent mum-of-two says she has been “making up for lost time” after maintaining her 6st 10lbs weight loss for an incredible nine years. Sarah Williams, 41, who’s been named Slimming World’s Diamond Member of the Year 2024, says her weight had always been holding her back from enjoying life with her family.

But it wasn’t until 2013, when Sarah and her husband Lee decided to get married after 13 years together, that she made a change. After losing her dad the year before, Sarah had taken comfort in 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 had tried various quick-fix weight loss methods, such as 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. “And before I knew it, I’d be back at square one. I was just miserable and hungry, and knew I couldn’t carry on this way.”

Sarah Williams, 41, lost more than six stone

Sarah 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 a year away, Sarah turned to Slimming World to help her lose 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.

“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.

Sarah Williams, 41, has maintained her weight loss for nine years

“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.”

Over time, Sarah started incorporating more activity into her daily routine with the help of Slimming World’s physical activity support programme. “I wasn’t active at all before,” explained Sarah. “The thought of exercising alone would wear me out! In the past, I had tried the odd gym class with friends, but I felt so unfit and never went back. I was also always too embarrassed to ever go swimming with my children when they were younger, I couldn’t face anyone judging me.

“Now I have new-found love for exercise. Paula explained how the programme worked and I loved that I could start at my own pace, take it at my own time – and get awards for my progress! It motivated me to try new things too. I started a circuits class at my local gym once a week, and as my confidence grew and my fitness improved, I joined a few more classes. I think it’s been an important part of helping me to keep the weight off.”

Sarah Williams, 41, says she is “making up for lost time”

She added: “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.

“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. I couldn’t have done any of it without Paula’s support over these past nine years – I feel so lucky to call her a close friend now too.

“After being with my old company for 23 years, I started a new job at the beginning of this year as a payroll clerk at a local accountancy firm. It was a big move, but it’s something I wouldn’t have dreamed of doing before losing weight.

“I was always pretty comfortable being in the background, now I love meeting new people and can speak confidently in front of a room of people too – it’s quite an empowering feeling! I feel so proud that I’ve been able to be the healthy, happy mum I always wanted to be.”

Sarah’s amazing weight loss figures

Starting weight: 17st 11lbs/249lbs/113kg