A young mother who was once too ashamed of her size to leave her family home has revealed how she shed an incredible six stone – and it wasn't with weight loss injections.
From Desperation to Determination
Eleanor Brown, a 24-year-old mum-of-three from Middleton in Leeds, says her weight struggles began to spiral after the birth of her second child during lockdown. "I went from 13 stone to nearly 17 stone in what felt like no time," she explained. The weight gain left her with crippling back pain and feeling mentally drained.
Eleanor, who lives with her partner James and children Grace, seven, Evan, four, and Laila, two, tried prescription weight loss pills and restrictive fad diets, but found them ineffective and miserable. "I'd quit by day two," she admitted. Her confidence hit rock bottom, and she began avoiding trips out with her family, overwhelmed by embarrassment.
A Life-Changing Conversation
The turning point came from an unexpected source: her 77-year-old grandmother, Joan. Eleanor watched as Joan transformed her own health, losing three stone with the support of her local Slimming World group. Inspired, Eleanor decided to join her for a meeting.
"I expected the room to be full of people her age," Eleanor said. "Yet I was amazed to find other young parents as well as men and women from all walks of life and all ages." She immediately felt part of a supportive community united by a common goal.
Throwing herself into the healthy eating plan, Eleanor lost an astonishing eight pounds in her first week. "It was a life-changing moment for me," she recalled. "For the first time, I realised losing weight was possible!"
Confidence Regained and a Future Transformed
Now, having reached her target, Eleanor says people often assume she used weight loss injections. "They're always surprised when I explain it's simply down to changing the way I cook and eat," she said. She swapped expensive takeaways for healthy homemade versions of family favourites like pizza and kebabs, finding recipe inspiration on TikTok.
The benefits have been profound. Her crippling back pain has gone, and she no longer gets out of breath walking upstairs. Mentally, the change has been even greater. Eleanor's confidence has soared; she now looks forward to social events and even spoke at her sister's baby shower – something she would never have done before.
"I'm happier, healthier and confident," she beamed. "I've gone from avoiding exercise to running alongside my son while he learns to ride his bike." Her grandmother Joan added: "Sharing my experience at my Slimming World group with Eleanor has made it extra special. I'm so proud of her."
Eleanor's story is reflected in new Slimming World research of over 3,200 members aged 18-34, who lost an average of 12% of their body weight. The study also found 92% felt part of a supportive community and 59% reported improved mental wellbeing.
