Debbie Crook, a mum from Brinnington, has lost more than four stone in less than a year, defying a health professional's prediction that she would struggle to lose weight. She has gone from a dress size 22 to a size 14/16 and has been named Woman of the Year 2026 at her Bredbury Slimming World group.
Health challenges and turning point
Debbie, who has an underactive thyroid, faced significant health challenges, including an urgent full hysterectomy. At her heaviest, she felt sad and depressed. After a nurse told her she would struggle to lose weight, she decided enough was enough.
She joined her Slimming World group on 2 September 2025, feeling nervous and embarrassed. Less than a year later, she has lost 4 stone ½lb.
Eating more to lose weight
Following Slimming World's Food Optimising plan, Debbie discovered that eating more healthy foods helped the weight drop off. She says she eats more now than ever before, with meals like high fibre cereal, fruit, boiled eggs, chicken with vegetables, and salmon.
She said: "Honestly I feel like I eat more now than I ever have. I work as a primary school cook in Stockport so I'm used to batch cooking, so I just needed to plan and do that for myself too."
Support and recognition
Debbie has attended almost every weekly session, missing only two while on holiday. Her consultant, Taymer Pugh, praised her commitment, saying: "Debbie has shown incredible commitment from day one. She has attended group consistently, embraced every aspect of the Food Optimising and our Active Lifestyle programme and become an inspiration to everyone around her."
Debbie also completed the 2026 Race for Life, raising £320 for Cancer Research UK. She said: "I never thought I'd be able to do it, but crossing that finish line was such an incredible feeling. It was one of my proudest achievements."
Advice to others
Debbie hopes her story inspires others, saying: "If I can do it, anyone can. Taking that first step through the door changed my life." She advises: "I just think bite the bullet, I know it's nerve-wracking, it was for me, I'm quite a shy person I was really putting it off but making that first step you're halfway there."
Taymer's Slimming World group meets every Tuesday evening at 5.45pm at St Mark's Parish Hall, Bredbury.
