'I can walk without getting out of breath now' - Walsall mum hopes to inspire others
Weighing over 14 stone, Kerry changed her life after worrying about playing at soft play with her son. Kerry recognised that her weight gain had directly contributed to her mental health and in January 2024, after squeezing into size 18 jeans, she knew something had to change.
"I think my final straw was seeing photo's of myself where I truly thought I hadn't gained that much weight and was so in denial, I looked "huge!". Having to buy a size 18 and squeezing into it was a place I had never been before and it wasn't somewhere I wanted to stay." says Kerry.
After getting married and feeling so good at the beginning of 2023, Kerry went through a few months of really hard and upsetting times and by the end of 2023 she had turned to food as a comfort for her emotions. She didn't realise it had gotten out of hand until her bigger clothes no longer fit. She wanted to lose weight to be more active with her children, and fit back into clothes she felt confident in. And now she's had a dramatic transformation after losing a massive 4 stone 11 pounds.
Kerry joined a local Slimming World group with consultant Lauren in January 2024 and went from 14 stone 2.5 pounds to 9 stone 5.5 pounds in one year. She had lost half a stone within her first three weeks. Kerry is using her success story to help inspire others who are hoping to achieve their weight loss dreams.
Kerry says: "I love how flexible Slimming World is and how you can make it work for you. You can still go out for meals with friends and take part in activities and enjoy everything, you just have to learn how to adapt so that you can make better choices and in return get the weight loss you need.
"My biggest challenge was learning that it's ok to say no. You don't have to eat something because it's offered to you - it's ok to say 'no thanks.' I think so many people think its rude to decline but you're actually just choosing to put yourself and your wants and needs first. I used to put others feelings before my own and felt miserable as a result. Its a tough one to crack, but once you do it makes a huge difference."
"I can now fit into clothes I had never dreamt of wearing. I thought getting to this size was so unachievable so it's still taking some time for me to adjust to different clothes sizes but I feel so much more confident in what I wear now. I can walk without getting out of breath - exhausted even! I'm able to play in soft play centres with my little boy and not feel self conscious or worried about fitting down the slide. I can go to work in shifts that are now four sizes too big rather than having to unbutton them on the way home because they were so tight they hurt."
Kerry's consultant Lauren says: "Kerry is truly inspirational and is a vital part of our Slimming World group. During IMAGE Therapy - part of Slimming Worlds unique in group support - Kerry is always there to help and support every member who walks through the door, whether that's with meal inspiration or ideas on alternative sweet treats that are great for staying on plan."
Slimming World is about so much more than changing what you eat. Becoming more active is really important too. Slimming World's Body Magic programme takes the threat out of activity by showing people how they can build activity into their daily routine. Everything counts - whether that's walking or playing at soft play with your children.
Kerry says: "I don't think I fully appreciated how bad my mental health had gotten along with my weight gain, and it's only now when I look back at photos that I see how truly miserable it had made me. I can finally enjoy going out and getting dressed up and living life as much as possible without worrying about my size or what I can wear."
Lauren's Slimming World group is held at the Delves Baptist Church in Bell Lane, Walsall, WS5 4PU every Tuesday at 6pm. For more information or to join Lauren's group either pop along or call her on 07415 277950. For more information visit slimmingworld.co.uk or call 0344 897 8000.
