It is a familiar story for many: the endless cycle of yo-yo dieting, restricting favourite meals, and struggling to find a sustainable way to lose weight. But for three local Slimming World members, taking that first step through the doors of their local groups has led to life-changing transformations.
Together, they have lost more than 23 stone, but their achievements go far beyond the numbers on the scales.
For 44-year-old Claire Banks from Bargoed, the turning point came with wonderful news: she was going to become a grandmother. Weighing 21 stone and living with the neurological condition Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension (IIH), Claire had previously been advised by doctors to lose weight.
Wanting to be an active grandmother who could fully enjoy making memories with her family, she joined her local Slimming World group in Pontllanfraith.
Over the next three years, she overhauled her lifestyle. She swapped takeaways for making great tasting ‘fakeaways’ that met all of her family’s needs
Today, Claire is an incredible 9½ stone lighter. She is also a qualified gym instructor, CrossFit, Hyrox, and running coach. The woman who once struggled with her weight now dedicates her time to inspiring others to realise their own physical potential.
A similar sense of community support has been essential for 51-year-old Leanne Bishop from Treharris. When she joined the Nelson Slimming World group, she was at her heaviest and believed lasting change might not be possible for her.
However, with the backing of her group, Leanne shifted her mindset, realising that her weight-loss journey did not have to be flawless to be successful.
“My journey hasn’t been perfect — but I’ve learned that it doesn’t have to be,” she explains.
Having lost a remarkable 9st 4½lb, Leanne was recently crowned the Nelson group’s Woman of the Year 2026—an award voted for by her fellow members. She now has her sights firmly set on reaching her ‘Club 50’ milestone, proving that overcoming difficult weeks and refusing to give up is the real secret to sustainable weight loss.
For Stephen Ash, joining Slimming World was driven by a powerful personal mission: to break the stigma surrounding mental health and prove that individuals living with psychosis can successfully achieve their health goals.
Starting at 22st 5½lb in March 2026, Stephen remained fiercely dedicated, losing more than four-and-a-half stone in just 20 weeks. His progress has been so significant that he has been able to remove himself from a surgery waiting list and no longer requires his asthma inhaler.
“Before joining Slimming World, I had reached a point where I had almost given up on myself; it truly felt like my last chance,” Stephen says. “Today, I feel like a completely new man. My mental health has improved massively, my sleep quality is better than ever, and this lifestyle change has given me a renewed sense of purpose.”
Crucially, Stephen learned he did not have to sacrifice his favourite foods. By making his own healthy wrap pizzas, he satisfies his cravings without compromising his goals. He has also embraced a new, active routine, combining his 10,000 daily steps and sessions with a mental health football group in Newport with intensive gym workouts. His newfound confidence has even led him to public speaking, recently presenting at three conferences in a single week as a mental health advocate.
These three stories demonstrate that with the right support, making sustainable, long-term changes is entirely possible. Whether you want to run around with your grandchildren, improve your mental well-being, or simply feel more comfortable in your own skin, your local Slimming World group is ready to welcome you.
Find your local Slimming World group today.
• Slimming World is looking for new Consultants to launch and run groups across the area. To find out more, contact Jo Creese on 07530 343262 to join a one-hour online information event.
Interested in becoming a Slimming World Consultant?
Call Joanne on 07530 343262 for more information