A London woman who once struggled to walk for five minutes has revealed how losing an incredible 12 stone saved her life, transforming her health and happiness without surgery or medication.
A Lifetime Struggle and a Life-Threatening Wake-Up Call
Sherri Begbie's battle with her weight began in childhood, where she faced cruel bullying for being bigger than her peers. The 38-year-old from Plumstead, South East London, explains that a difficult home life left her using food for comfort, leading to anxiety, depression, and a three-decade struggle with binge-eating.
At her heaviest, she weighed around 24 stone. Everyday life became a monumental challenge. Simple acts like bathing or putting on shoes were nearly impossible. Walking for more than a brief period left her in pain and breathless, and she developed serious health issues including high blood pressure, sleep apnoea, and pre-diabetes.
"I didn't have a life," Sherri admits. "I locked myself away, was lucky to get 800 steps a day, and it was a downward spiral." Previous attempts to lose weight, including a prescribed course of the drug Orlistat in 2012 which caused "horrific" side effects, and a referral to an NHS programme in 2022, proved unsuccessful.
The turning point came in 2022 when a chest infection developed into severe pneumonia. "I started coughing up blood. It was the lowest point of my life," she recalls. Doctors told her it was a miracle she survived. The moment she was told she needed a ventilator, she felt a surge of fear—and a powerful epiphany. "I realised I did want to live."
Finding Hope and a New Path with Slimming World
Upon recovery, Sherri's sister encouraged her to try Slimming World. In February 2023, albeit sceptical and hiding in a corner at her first session, she began their Food Optimising healthy eating plan.
The change was profound and rapid. Embracing the plan and the supportive group atmosphere under her consultant, Ella, Sherri began to see results within weeks. She set an initial goal to lose 5 stone for her cousin's wedding—and achieved it.
More than just diet, Slimming World's active lifestyle programme helped rebuild her mobility from the ground up. "I now walk over 10,000 steps daily and I'm training for a 10k," she says with pride.
A Life Transformed, Inside and Out
Today, Sherri's transformation is staggering. She has lost over 12 stone, going from a dress size 34-36 to a size 8. Critically, the looming health conditions that once threatened her have been reversed.
"I'm literally half the woman I used to be," she states. "My plantar fasciitis, which I've had since I was eight, has gone. I'm unrecognisable, inside and out."
Sherri credits her success to healing her relationship with food, finding joy in cooking again, and the consistent support she received. Her journey stands as a powerful testament to sustainable change. "It proves that lasting change doesn't come from quick fixes," she reflects. "I don't know if I'd still be here if it wasn't for Slimming World. It's saved my life."
