After I had my daughter, Ayda (now three), I felt like I’d completely lost myself. I’d put on more than 2st (12.7kg) during pregnancy and I just didn’t recognise the person looking back at me in the mirror. Like many new mums, I was focused on everybody else and not really looking after myself.
Food was whatever I could grab while looking after a newborn. I’d skip meals and then end up reaching for convenience foods, full-sugar cola and my favourite custard creams to get me through the day. Looking back now, I wasn’t giving my body what it needed at all.
Everything changed when my mum suggested I go along to her Slimming World group with her. When I discovered how the plan worked, what surprised me most was how normal it all felt. I didn’t need to eat special diet food or make separate meals. Instead, I learnt how to make everyday family favourites in a healthier way. Suddenly, we were having things like peri-peri chicken and homemade chips instead of relying on takeaways and ready meals, and I realised healthy eating didn’t have to feel like a punishment.
Lorraine’s day on a plate
Before | After | |
|---|---|---|
Breakfast | Six custard creams and a cup of tea. Mid-morning: Biscuits, usually six more custard creams. | Overnight oats, topped with fresh raspberries and strawberries. Or a bacon barm at weekends. |
Lunch | Two or three packets of crisps, a chocolate bar and two cans of full-sugar cola. | A big chicken salad or a cheese omelette with salad, and a can of low-sugar lemonade. |
Dinner | Takeaway pizza, a can of full-sugar cola and a bag of chocolates for dessert. | Peri-peri chicken with homemade Slimming World chips and salad or veg, followed by a fat-free flavoured yogurt. |
Support was the key
In my first year, I lost around 2st (12.7kg), but after that I spent quite a while maintaining. There were definitely times when I felt frustrated and wondered why the scales weren’t moving. What made the difference was the support from my Consultant, Julie, and everyone in my group. They helped me realise that maintaining my weight wasn’t failing, it was still progress. As a mum to a young child, sometimes standing still was an achievement in itself.
When I’d lost around 4st (25.4kg), people started noticing. Friends and family began commenting on how different I looked and how much happier I seemed. That really kept my motivation up.
A new way of eating – for all of us
The changes quickly became part of family life. We plan our meals, shop differently and cook together. Ayda loves being in the kitchen and helping me prep. We make chicken nuggets from scratch and cook them in the air fryer. I really hope I’m setting a positive example and showing her healthy habits that will stay with her as she grows up.
One of the best things about my weight loss journey is seeing the impact it’s had on the people around me. My husband Ryan never wanted or needed to lose weight, but because we all eat the same meals, he’s definitely become leaner, too. When we look back at photos of him when Ayda was born, we can both see the difference.
My mum has been a huge part of my success. Not only did she encourage me to join Slimming World, she’s also been there every step of the way. Because we’re at the same group and often eat together, she understands exactly what I’m doing and how she can support me. She’s had amazing success herself too, losing 3st (19kg).
Moving more… and more!
As my confidence grew, so did my activity levels. I started off with short walks around the village in the evenings. Then they became longer family walks with Ayda and our cockapoo, Hugo. Eventually, I began running.
I’d always admired people who could go out and run a 5K, but when I was heavier my ankles always hurt and I genuinely couldn’t imagine ever being one of them. These days I can head out and do a 5K in around half an hour without thinking twice! I’ve also developed a love of padel and CrossFit – something the old me would never have believed possible.
The difference has been noticeable at work, too. I’m a beauty therapist, and I used to struggle with back pain so much that I stopped offering massage treatments. Now I can be on my feet all day without the discomfort I used to have.
The biggest change isn’t my weight, though – it’s how I feel. I’m active, confident and the mum I always wanted to be. I can run around playing with Ayda and keep up with her. When we’re out for a family walk, sometimes I wonder if people think we’ve always lived this healthy lifestyle. The truth is, we haven’t.
Today, I’m 9st 7lbs (60.3kg) lighter and wear a size 8, but I’m most proud of the example I’m setting for my daughter. Healthy habits have simply become part of our everyday life, and knowing Ayda is growing up seeing that is priceless.
Watch Lorraine’s story
The ripple effect of Slimming World
Lorraine’s story reflects the findings of new independent research*, published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) Paediatrics Open, which found that many parents attending weight management groups reported positive changes in their children’s health behaviours, including increased physical activity and eating healthier food.
The survey, funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), explored the experiences of 396 Slimming World members with children aged five to 11 and found that:
more than two-thirds (67%) who were concerned about their child’s weight felt more motivated to support them after addressing their own weight
almost half (48%) of parents reported healthy improvements in what their child ate after they joined the weight loss programme
more than a quarter (27%) said their child had become more physically active
The findings of the research, carried out at the University of Bristol, come as experts warn that younger adults face the greatest risk of future weight gain. Global studies predict one in three children, teenagers and young adults could be living with overweight or obesity by 2050**, and research shows children with parents living with obesity are more likely to develop it themselves***.
Dr Sarah-Elizabeth Bennett, senior nutritionist at Slimming World, says: ‘These findings reinforce what we’ve long known at Slimming World: when parents adopt healthier habits, the benefits often extend beyond the individual and become part of everyday family life. From healthier meals and increased physical activity to more positive attitudes towards food and wellbeing, these changes can help shape healthier futures for children, too.
‘Supporting members to build healthy habits that work for the whole household has been at the heart of our approach since Margaret Miles-Bramwell founded Slimming World as a young mum more than 55 years ago. Through family-friendly recipes and practical activity ideas, we’ve always encouraged healthy habits to support positive change across the family. Our own evidence has consistently shown that this approach helps create healthier home environments and healthier futures for the next generation.’
Weight loss will vary according to your individual circumstances and how much weight you have to lose.
*Mears R, Sharp D, Searle A, Salway R, Hamilton-Shield J. Effect of parent attendance at an adult commercial weight management programme on their children. BMJ Paediatrics Open 2026; 10:e004417. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjpo-2025-004417
**Global, regional, and national prevalence of child and adolescent overweight and obesity, 1990-2021, with forecasts to 2050: a forecasting study for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021 – The Lancet.
***Office for Health Improvement & Disparities (2022) Childhood obesity: applying All Our Health - GOV.UK available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/childhood-obesity-applying-all-our-health/childhood-obesity-applying-all-our-health (Accessed 02/09/26)
Disclaimer: Nothing contained in this feature shall be taken as indicating any endorsement, approval, recommendation, or sponsorship by the University of Bristol and the NIHR of Slimming World, its products, services, programmes, or activities. References to the University of Bristol do not imply any form of partnership, endorsement, or commercial support between the University of Bristol and Slimming World.
Lived experience case study: Please note that individuals shared as case studies were not participants in the research study. Their experiences are shared solely to help illustrate themes relevant to the research findings.