01/09/2026
Weight loss is a constant battle… but it’s not always about the number on the scales. ❤️
I started my journey in May 2024. The first picture was taken the month before, in April.
I started with Sue at Slimming World Canford Heath, and honestly, it was a slow start. As much as I tried, it took me a while to really get my head in the game.
1lb off… half on… 2lb off… 1lb on… and so it went on.
But I kept going back to group.
Then something clicked. And once it did, I was well away!
It took me a whole year to lose my first stone. But as I approached my 60th birthday, something changed. I was focused, determined and the weight started to come off.
I lost a further 4 stone.
In January this year, I achieved that magical 5 stone weight loss. 🥳
Since then, though, the scales haven’t moved very much, even though nothing has really changed diet-wise.
I thought… it must be inches I’m losing.
And guess what?
It was!
When I started, I took my measurements — bust, waist, hips, arms and thighs. While my hips haven’t really changed much over the last six months, I knew my body shape was changing.
When I started my journey, I was wearing a size 24/26 dress.
Today, I order a size 16 with confidence! 😍
My bra size has gone from a 44 to a 38, and even my thighs are 2 inches smaller.
We read all those amazing stories in the Slimming World magazine about people who have lost incredible amounts of weight, and I used to think:
“That will never be me.”
But it can be.
Even half a pound a week is a win. That’s a block of butter! 🧈
Don’t beat yourself up. Praise yourself.
Because if you can lose half a pound every week, that’s 26lb in a year — nearly 2 stone!
Take the win. ❤️
And then there are all those off-the-scales victories.
I used to struggle going down the stairs. Now I can do them easily.
I used to get in the car to go to the corner shop. Now I actually want to walk.
I can run around and play with my grandchildren.
And I even felt proud walking alongside the swimming pool — something I never would have imagined before.
I have always been a heavier person, so for me, the number on the scales isn5’t as important as the dress size, the compliments and, most importantly, how I feel about myself.
My ego is being fed constantly with people telling me how good I’m looking — and honestly, after years of having very low self-esteem, those compliments mean so much.
I’m not at the end of my journey yet.
I’d love to lose another 3 stone. My dream would be a confident size 12… maybe even a 10! Who knows? 🤷♀️
But one thing I do know…
With Sue’s constant support, praise and encouragement, together with the Slimming World principles that have helped me get this far, I’ll get there eventually.
Because this journey has taught me something very important:
The scales only tell you one part of the story.
Sometimes the biggest changes are the ones you can’t see in the number. ❤️
