Successful Slimming World clients who lost 21 stone now launching their own classes across Falkirk district

Between them the quartet have lost an amazing 21stones and 4lbs since they joined Slimming World.

Now they are either taking over or launching new classes and aim to give other people who are struggling to lose weight inspiration by showing and explaining how their lives have been transformed as the pounds came off.

Mum-of-two Stephanie Cameron began her weight loss journey in January 2022 – and before the year was over she had reached her target weight of 11st, losing 4st 1lb in less than 11 months.

She admitted struggling with her weight for years and had tried lots of different diets but without much success.

The pandemic and lockdown meant more time in the house with access to food, often not the healthiest, too handy.

She decided to give a Slimming World class in Carron a try and, although she admits “it was hard initially” she stuck with it and the weight began to come off.

Stephanie, 39, said: “I couldn’t believe how much I could eat and it didn’t feel like I was on a diet. We got a dog just before I joined the class and at first I couldn’t walk very far but now we go for miles. I’m no longer as self conscious and will go swimming with my children which I wouldn’t have done before.

Now the Stirling Council care home worker is launching her own class in Polmont’s Greenpark Centre on Friday, November 3 at 9.30am.

“I’m very excited and looking forward to giving other people the support I’ve enjoyed.”

Jacqui McMenemy, 63, finds that since joining Slimming World and losing 3st 3lbs her health has improved. She also loves being able to take her grandchildren to soft play without getting out of breath as she follows them around.

She joined a class in the Broomage Club just before lockdown but admits to only getting in the right frame of mind to lose weight in 2021, reaching her target of 10st earlier this year.

Now she is taking over an existing Slimming World class in Forth Valley Sensory Centre in Camelon with the first classes on Wednesday, November 1 and 5.30pm and 7pm.

Jacqui, who lives in Camelon, said: “I’ll admit that at first I was very cynical and thought there was no chance I would lose weight but I stuck to it and must admit found it really easy. It’s a great feeling to see someone be really low and then, almost like a butterfly coming out of a cocoon they lose weight and feel so much better.”

Denny mum-of-one Val Hicklin, 47, joined Slimming World in June 2021 and since then has lost a staggering 7st 10.5lbs – going from a size 18/20 to a size ten.

It took a photograph when she was at her heaviest to make her decide to lose weight, admitting that she looked “horrendous”. She went to a class in Scott’s restaurant in Grangemouth and found the weight began to come off.

Now she will be launching her own class this Friday, October 27 in St Alexander’s church hall in Denny at 9.30am.

Val said: “I’m really looking forward to helping other people. It’s not easy but I’m hoping that people who come along will see my journey and see what can be achieved.”

Despite working full-time as an IT category manager and running a Brownie Guides group, as well as being a busy mum, she is determined to help people achieve their goal of losing weight and become healthier.

"I hope to be an inspiration because I know what it's like when things get tough but I also know the benefits,” she added.

Louise Fraser from Grangemouth has lost 6st 4lbs and is launching classes on Friday, November 3 at 5.30pm and 7pm in the Scout Hall at The Pleasance in Falkirk.

The 50-year-old only joined Slimming World in May 2022 at Newlands Community Centre when she was horrified to discover she weighed 16st 9lbs. But as the weight came off she found lots of benefits.

She said: “Losing the weight has given me a boost in confidence but it’s also helped my health. I’ve noticed a difference having been on medication for high blood pressure it’s now dropped. I have so much more energy."

As well as now having lots of choice when buying clothes, Louise admits to being much more sociable, no longer hiding away ashamed of her weight.

She added: “I’ve got 6000 leaflets to hand out for my new class and it’s been great getting out and talking to people. Something I would never have been able to do before.

"I’d lost weight before because I didn’t want to be the fat bridesmaid and things like that but this time I was doing it for me. Now I feel so much better about myself.”

Jenni Lapsley, a team developer with Slimming World, said: “With life well and truly back to normal after the pandemic, our groups are busier than ever. So I’m very excited to welcome these girls to our team to help us reach even more people who are desperate to lose weight.

"Over 40 million adults in the UK are overweight – which is over 70 per cent of the population. In Scotland, two in three adults are suffering from being over weight and obese. These four girls are a shining example of how it is possible for people to lose weight and turn their life around.”