A trip to Paris to celebrate my 30th birthday should’ve been wonderful, but it ended up being a real low for me. Despite spending ages trying to get good photos, I hated how I looked in them – and I remember needing several drinks to build up the courage to head to the pool in my swimsuit. I also struggled physically, and my joints were painful after walking around all day. Even though it was hot and sunny, I covered up with baggy clothing, which made my psoriasis flare up. I just found it so hard to enjoy myself because of my size.
My weight had been up and down for years – and in 2018, I’d joined Slimming World and lost more than 2st (13kg). Then life got really busy with a new job and a house renovation, and I reverted back to my old habits, grabbing food that was quick and easy after a long shift at work. I’d often have a full multipack of crisps for my dinner, or a share bag followed by a family-size bar of chocolate. Every meal I ate came with chips – I’d rarely touch fruit or vegetables – and a trip to the baker’s could easily mean buying several cakes at once. Before long, I’d regained the weight I’d lost.
Read more: Lose weight eating the food you love
Planning for success
It was January 2024 – the January after my Paris trip – when I decided it was time for a fresh start. I was lucky enough to have five holidays booked for that year, and I wanted to enjoy them all and get nice photos, instead of taking 400 and hating every single one!
When I joined my Slimming World group again, I knew I needed to change my mindset around food. In the past, I’d relied on motivation and good intentions. This time, I learnt that planning ahead made all the difference. The support, ideas and encouragement from group helped me build habits that meant I always had satisfying, slimming-friendly meals and snacks ready when I needed them.
I love cooking and trying new recipes from the app. If I have a busy week coming up, I make sure I have some meals prepared in advance. When things get busy, the Slimming World food range from Iceland is a lifesaver. And I love Slimming World Kitchen – I have a recipe box delivered every week.
By the time my first holiday arrived (Magaluf with the girls), I was 2st (12.7kg) lighter. I lost another stone ahead of Glastonbury and Marbella in June, and when I came home from an amazing holiday in Croatia, I weighed 3st 4½lbs (21.1kg) less than I had six months before!
Scrolling through my holiday photos from Croatia, something struck me. For the first time in years, I wasn’t deleting hundreds of pictures or picking myself apart. And I could see how happy I looked, because I genuinely was enjoying myself.
A new holiday mindset
Planning how I’ll Food Optimise while I’m away is what helps me avoid going off track with food and wine in the way I used to on holiday.
🍹 I still enjoy planned-in treats like a cocktail, an ice cream or a meal out. The difference is that I no longer see myself as being ‘on plan’ or ‘off plan’.
☀️ For breakfast, I naturally gravitate towards foods like fruit, yogurt, eggs and cereal. Lunch is often a wrap, salad or rice bowl, andin the evening, I’ll usually choose grilled meats, vegetables and rice. Those habits have become part of who I am, so they come on holiday with me.
🏄 I head out for a run every morning and make the most of the hotel gym. Years ago, I’d have thought of a holiday as a break from healthy habits. Now I see it as an opportunity to enjoy them in a different setting. There’s something special about running along the beach or through beautiful surroundings, then coming back to find breakfast waiting for you. I’ll even pack my swim cap and goggles... if I’m getting in the pool, I may as well squeeze in a few lengths!
🏖️ I usually follow Food Optimising SP – filling my plate with Speed Free Foods – the week after my holiday, to help boost my weight loss.
Running for fun
Perhaps the biggest surprise of all is how much I enjoy being active now. Even simple things feel different. Walking the dog used to feel like a chore because I was so focused on how much I ached. These days I notice the views, the changing seasons and all those little things I’d previously rushed past.
For my birthday this year, I ran the Swansea Half Marathon. If you’d told the old me that I’d choose to spend my birthday running 13 miles, I’d never have believed you!
And that was just the beginning. I’ve already signed up for more races and have three marathons planned for 2027, including the London Marathon as part of Slimming World’s team.
Living life differently
Holidays used to fill me with dread. I’d spend weeks planning outfits and trying on swimwear, often ending up in tears because nothing felt right.
Today, I’m confident in swimwear, I know what styles suit me and I don’t worry about whether clothes will fit. Packing takes an afternoon instead of weeks, and I’m enjoying every moment rather than hiding from the camera.
Losing weight has also made a huge difference to my health. I used to take medication for my psoriasis and the joint pain that came with it. There’s so much less pressure on my joints now and, while I still get the occasional niggle, the daily pain has gone and I don’t need the medication.
My life these days is all about balance. I enjoy the things I really want while keeping the healthy habits that help me feel my best.
Losing weight hasn’t just given me a smaller dress size, it’s given me the confidence and freedom to enjoy my life, too. And I can’t wait to start planning my next adventure!
From member to Consultant
My Slimming World journey has also taken me somewhere totally unexpected. In May this year, I became a Slimming World Consultant and took over my first group.
It all happened very quickly. When my Consultant asked if I’d ever thought about becoming one, my first instinct was no! I’d never considered it because I loved our groups so much and couldn’t imagine going anywhere else. Then she told me she was hoping to retire and was looking for someone to take over... I went to an Opportunity Event the very next day and from that moment, I was all in.
I genuinely love every minute of it. I already knew Food Optimising worked, of course, but learning even more about the science behind the plan gave me added confidence. Understanding why it works has been amazing, and it’s something I’m passionate about sharing with my own members through food learning in group.
Now I run two groups, each with double sessions, and it never feels like a job. Every week feels like spending time in a room full of friends who are all supporting each other to achieve their goals.
Weight loss will vary according to your individual circumstances and how much weight you have to lose.