Inspirational women from Horncastle group transform lives with slimming efforts
If one of your New Year’s resolutions for 2026 is to lose weight and stay healthy, you are sure to be inspired by these two women from a slimming group in Horncastle.
For Paula De Vries, who has lost six stone, three pounds, and Michelle Thornton, who has shed four-and-a-half stone, are shining examples of how collective support can transform lives.
Paula, 60, joined one of Slimming World’s Horncastle groups in August 2024, followed by Michelle three months later.
The classes are led by consultant Karen Fereday, who says: “Their efforts since show what can be achieved when people come together, share their struggles and celebrate their victories.”
Paula, who lives in East Barkwith, near Market Rasen, used to serve in the Army. But after a breast cancer diagnosis, steroid treatment and reduced activity, the weight piled on.
She was determined to take back control of her health and knew it was time for a change. And she managed it, with encouragement from her Slimming World group.
"The biggest challenge was believing in myself,” Paula says. “I wondered if losing weight would take as many years as it had taken to gain it.”
"Once I got started on the food optimising plan, I realised how simple it was. I could still enjoy the foods I love. It just meant planning and preparing them differently.”
Before putting on the weight, Paula loved jogging. Such has been her slimming achievements that she is now running again.
Even more significantly, her weight loss has allowed her to stop taking medication for a heart condition caused by chemotherapy drugs.
She now reckons the weekly Slimming World meetings are a highlight of her week. “The thrill of weigh-in is a natural high,” she says. “I’ve made new friends and I feel so welcome every time. It’s something I look forward to.”
Karen says: “Paula is such an inspiration. She was thrilled with her results in the first week, and continued with great losses each week. Her focus has been unshakeable.”
Meanwhile, Michelle joined Karen’s class with her health under severe strain. She’d received warnings of pre-diabetes and fatty liver disease, while her personal confidence had disappeared.
But she says she found more than a weight-loss plan. She also found a community, filled with like-minded people who understood.
"The great thing about Slimming World and food optimising is that no food is banned,” she explains. “We are shown a new way of thinking, which makes it easy to still enjoy good food.
"The hardest part wasn’t the food. It was the mindset. Learning to say no, when others said one bite won’t matter, took a lot of strength.
"With visualisation techniques, taught in class, I was able to stay focused, reminding myself of the bigger picture.
"Yet I couldn’t have done it alone. The group, the laughter, the shared tips and the encouragement were the secret ingredients. This group is where the magic happens.”
Karen says: “It has been a joy to watch Michelle gain in confidence through her journey, learning and contributing every week and supporting her fellow members.
"She can look in the mirror and smile, proud of the healthier, happier version of herself.”
Karen’s Slimming World classes are held at Horncastle Community Centre every Tuesday at 9.30 am, at The Stanhope Hall in Horncastle every Thursday at 6.30 pm and at Coronation Hall in Woodhall Spa every Tuesday at 5.30 pm and 7 pm. Call 07900 062817 for details.