Before joining Slimming World in March 2022, something happened that really changed things for Michelle

Her mum showed her dad a photo of Michelle, but he didn’t even recognise her because she was so much slimmer in the photograph.

Something inside Michelle changed that day. She knew she didn’t want to be the size she was anymore.

Michelle contacted her doctor and asked for a referral to Slimming World to help her lose weight. Just days later, she nervously walked through the doors of Slimming World in Birchwood, Lincoln, and was welcomed with open arms.

From that very first visit, Michelle felt determined to make a change.

Michelle followed Slimming World’s healthy eating plan 100% and by the end of that year she had lost an incredible 6 stone and reached her target.

Last year, Michelle decided to change her target and has now achieved an amazing 7 stone award. She is now incredibly happy and comfortable where she is.

And just look at how her food has changed...

Before Slimming World, breakfast would be a huge bowl of high-sugar cereal with semi-skimmed milk.

Lunch was a white bread sandwich with ham, cheese and salad cream, a packet of high-fat crisps and cake or chocolate.

Dinner could be chips, lasagne and salad with half a garlic bread.

And snacks were often crisps, chocolate or cake bars.

Now Michelle’s food looks completely different.

Overnight oats with porridge, yoghurt and berries for breakfast.

A huge couscous and low-fat feta salad packed with fresh vegetables and herbs for lunch.

Homemade chilli con carne with rice and tenderstem broccoli for dinner.

Fruit, crackers and cheese from her ‘extra’s allowance or Hi-Fi bars for snacks.

But Michelle has also learned that losing weight doesn’t mean missing out.

She has enjoyed meals out, made great choices and even enjoyed a glass or two of her favourite spiced rum and Pepsi Max along the way.

And the changes go far beyond the scales.

Michelle’s underactive thyroid levels have improved and, since losing the weight, she has taken up running and now runs 5k a few times a week.

Slimming World encourages members to become more active as they feel ready, but there is absolutely no pressure to exercise before you feel able to. Michelle found an activity she genuinely enjoys, and that has become another amazing part of her lifestyle.

Because reaching her own personally decided target isn't the end of the journey. In many ways, it's the beginning of learning how to maintain those amazing changes for life.

The weekly support, encouragement, ideas, accountability, friendship and that little bit of motivation when things aren't quite going to plan are just as important when you're maintaining as they are when you're losing.

Tracey, Michelle’s Consultant, says: "Michelle’s journey makes me so incredibly proud. She didn’t just lose 7 stone — she changed her whole relationship with food and completely changed her lifestyle. What I love most is that Michelle has continued to come to group and use that support even after reaching target. That’s what group is all about. We celebrate the amazing weeks, we pick each other up when things don't go quite right and we keep learning together. Michelle is proof that Slimming World isn’t just about losing weight… it’s about changing your life and having the support to keep those changes for good."

Michelle has never looked back.

From 17 stone 6½lb to an incredible 7 stone award, she has completely changed her life.