A teaching assistant from Southport has transformed her life after losing 13 stone – over half her body weight – after joining Slimming World.
The changes for mum-of-one Charlotte Howard have been remarkable.
She has cured the sleep apnoea which stopped her sleeping; surgery on her knee has been put on hold; and she has gone from struggling to walk 100 steps a day to walking 10,000 steps per day.
It has given a new life to Charlotte, who has escaped a life “carrying pain, fear and a life that had slowly grown smaller” to one with infinite possibilities.
The determined 52-year-old has made the changes she needed after walking into her local Slimming World group at Fleetwood Hesketh sports and social club in Marshside, Southport in April 2024, run by Consultant Kelly Barker.
She said: “Before joining Slimming World I was so unhappy and knew I needed to take control for me, my health and my family.
“I hope by sharing my story – if it motivates or inspires just one person – then that’s a win for me.
“When I first heard my consultant Kelly’s story everything she said resonated so deeply.
“It really does inspire you to hear about others on their journey, knowing that there is hope.
“I found my hope in my local Slimming World group.”
In April last year, Charlotte arrived in her first Slimming World session without much confidence or hope.
Today, just over a year later, she has lost more than 13 stone from her start weight, as she continues to focus on the habit and mindset changes to bring her the amazing successes she is achieving each week.
She has gone on to achieve one of the rarest and most prestigious awards Slimming World offers.
The Club 50 award is given to members who lose an incredible 50 per cent of their starting body weight and Charlotte has surpassed even that!
This achievement is so exceptional that it is personally recognised by Slimming World Head Office, with the company’s directors sending a letter and certificate to honour the dedication, resilience and determination it represents.
Quite simply, Charlotte is now less than half the woman she once was, not just on the scales but in the weight of pain, exhaustion and self doubt she has left behind.
A Life Lived in Survival Mode
Before Slimming World, Charlotte was not living. She was surviving.
Every movement was painful. Her knees were deteriorating, she was taking medication, and she had been told surgery might be her only option.
Even the simplest decisions became exhausting calculations. Could she park close enough? Were there stairs? Would the seating hold her weight?
Often, it felt easier to decline invitations altogether.
Sleep apnoea meant nights offered no rest, only exhaustion. Days were filled with excuses, not because Charlotte did not want to live her life, but because her weight had quietly taken control of it.
She was tired of explaining. Tired of justifying. And tired of feeling trapped.
The Moment She Chose Herself
The turning point came in a moment that many will recognise. Sitting one evening with a tube of Pringles and a large bag of chocolate buttons, Charlotte realised she did not even remember eating them.
It was compulsive. Automatic. And deeply upsetting.
A friend had previously suggested joining Slimming World, but the idea filled her with fear. She was convinced she would be the biggest in the room. That all eyes would be on her.
Then came the conversation that changed everything. Her knee consultant explained surgery was not an option due to her weight and the risks involved.
In that moment, Charlotte thought of her child. She thought of her future. And she realised something powerful.
Nobody could save her. She had to save herself.
So she did the bravest thing she had done in years. She walked through those doors.
From Food Controlling Her to Taking Back Control
Slimming World did not just change how Charlotte ate. It changed how she thought and felt about food, and more importantly herself.
Before joining, food controlled her. She lived to eat. Now, she eats to live and she is in control.
Food is no longer the enemy. It is something to enjoy. Charlotte discovered new foods she once avoided and found enjoyment in cooking again. She learned that healthy eating does not mean missing out and that food does not have to be boring. Her old high fat, high sugar meals and snacks now replaced by her new love of protein rich free foods such as hot chicken fillets, and roasted vegetables and classic recipes too that the whole family enjoy.
The Slimming World app, the recipes in Slimming World magazines and cookbooks and the shared ideas in her group helped her become more adventurous and creative with meals. For the first time in her life, food felt balanced instead of overwhelming. Freedom to enjoy the food she loves.
But the biggest difference came from staying to group each week.
A Group That Changed Her Life
Charlotte attends the Saturday morning Slimming World group in Marshside at the Fleetwood Hesketh, run by Consultant Kelly. Kelly has herself lost an incredible 18 and a half stone and was crowned Slimming World National Woman of the Year in 2023. She now runs two award winning groups in Marshside and Ainsdale.
Charlotte says that when she read her consultant’s success story in the Slimming World magazine it resonated so deep within her that it truly inspired her as it gave her hope.
For Charlotte, the group became a lifeline. A second home filled with family.
Every week, she shared the highs and the lows with people who understood. There was no judgement, only encouragement, honesty and support.
Every time she walked through the door, she was greeted with a smile. No matter how she felt when she arrived, she always left feeling motivated, positive and cared for.
A Body and Life She Never Thought Possible
The physical changes have been life changing.
Charlotte has gone from walking around 100 steps a day to walking over 10,000 on some days. Her knee pain has reduced so significantly that surgery has been put on hold. Sleep apnoea is gone, replaced by restful nights and energy she had forgotten existed.
She no longer declines invitations. She no longer plans life around toilets, distances or whether a chair will hold her weight. She simply lives.
Mentally and physically, she describes this journey as the best thing she has ever done.
Emotionally, the transformation has been just as powerful.
For the first time, Charlotte feels in control. This is her journey and she no longer feels the need to explain or justify her choices. She is proud to say she is a Slimming World member and always will be.
She admits she is still surprised when smaller sizes fit. After living in a larger body for so long, adjusting to the changes in her body takes time but she’s loving buying clothes she loves and that makes her feel amazing.
Not the End but the Beginning
Charlotte is now so close to her final target and closer than she ever believed or dreamed possible. She focuses on setting small goals and celebrating every achievement along the way.
One thing is certain. Slimming World will always be part of her life.
She knows she cannot do this without the support, structure and care that group provides.
A Message from the Heart
To anyone sitting at home feeling nervous, unsure or scared to take that first step, Charlotte has one message:
“You are doing this for you.
“Walking through those doors is the hardest part, but you will be met with warmth, understanding and zero judgement. You will leave feeling proud, motivated and supported.
Nobody can straighten your crown but you. Stay to group. Laugh, share and lean on others. “That is where the magic happens.”
Charlotte’s story is proof that no matter how impossible change may feel at the beginning, it is always possible. Sometimes, all it takes is the courage to walk through one door.
Joining Slimming World
Kelly’s Slimming World groups is open to everyone, whether you’re just starting out or looking for that final push to hit your goals.
Her sessions take place at Ainsdale Methodist Church in Ainsdale and Fleetwood Hesketh in Marshside, and she’s ready to welcome you with open arms.
If you’ve been thinking about making a change but don’t know where to start, this is your sign. With a supportive consultant who truly understands, a plan that works, and a community that cheers you on every step of the way, your transformation could be next.
To find out more, contact Kelly at 07493 078193 or visit Slimming World Ainsdale & Southport with Kelly on Facebook.
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