A former teacher who was forced into early retirement by a cascade of health problems has completely transformed her life, shedding more than seven stones and successfully reversing her type 2 diabetes.
A Downward Spiral Triggered by Grief
Kheira Ghachi, 56, from Wilbarston, Northamptonshire, saw her weight escalate to nearly 15 stone following the devastating loss of her father and older brother within a single year. Having moved from France, she turned to food for comfort, masking her grief during the school day before consuming large quantities of frozen pizzas, chocolate spread on toast, and packets of crisps and sweets at home.
Her weight gain exacerbated existing health conditions, including arthritis, fibromyalgia, asthma, and sleep apnoea, leading to a diagnosis of depression and eventually forcing her to retire from teaching. Kheira became isolated, rarely leaving the house and losing all her confidence.
The Life-Changing Diagnosis and Intervention
The pivotal moment came in 2021. Shortly after becoming a British citizen, Kheira received the results of a blood test confirming she had developed type 2 diabetes. Her doctor warned that her weight put her at significant risk of further serious health issues.
This stark warning led to a referral to a social prescriber, who informed her about Slimming World on Referral, an NHS partnership initiative that offers a free 12-week weight management programme. In January 2023, despite feeling nervous, Kheira attended her local Slimming World group in Desborough.
She was welcomed by Consultant Angela Walker, who explained the healthy eating plan. "It felt like something I could do," Kheira recalls. She immediately embraced the programme, swapping her old diet for fresh fruit, vegetables, lean meats, and homemade meals like cottage pie and crustless quiche.
A New Life in Remission
The results were rapid and profound. Kheira lost 4.5lbs in her first week and continued to lose weight, eventually shedding a total of 7st 5lbs (46.9kg). As the weight came off, her confidence soared. She began actively participating in her weekly group, which became the highlight of her week.
Most importantly, a subsequent blood test confirmed that her type 2 diabetes was in remission. Her sleep improved, and her mental wellbeing was transformed. While she continues to manage other conditions with medication, Kheira is no longer hiding away. "My old life is now unrecognisable to me!" she says.
Kheira's success story is supported by research published in the Archives of Diabetes & Obesity. The study found that Slimming World's structured approach helped 33.9% of members with type 2 diabetes achieve remission, a figure that rose to 51% for those who lost at least 10% of their body weight.
Dr Sarah-Elizabeth Bennett of Slimming World stated, "The improvements Kheira has made to her health are inspiring and our research shows many members experience similar outcomes." The programme, which offers tailored resources developed with Diabetes UK, is available in 72 locations across the UK, providing a vital lifeline for those struggling with their weight and health.
