A Scottish woman has shared her incredible journey of losing over 18 stone without relying on weight-loss injections, pills, or surgery, a transformation that also resolved her fertility struggles.
The Turning Point
Claire Kane from Airdrie saw her weight approach 30 stone, leaving her barely able to walk 200 metres without becoming breathless. Married to Aaron since 2009, Claire's persistent weight gain cast a shadow over their dream of starting a family. For seven years, the couple faced the heartbreak of infertility, a condition complicated by Claire's Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and endometriosis.
"We longed for a family, but it just wasn't happening for us," Claire recalled of that difficult period. Her health had reached a critical point, making conception seem impossible.
The Journey to a New Life
In a pivotal decision, Claire joined her local Slimming World group in August 2022, led by Consultant Irene Mitchell. Her initial goal was to lose enough weight to qualify for IVF treatment. "I'd tried other diets, but nothing seemed to stick," she admitted. "Walking into group was daunting, but I was welcomed with open arms."
She embraced the Food Optimising plan, radically changing her diet from sugary cereals, packaged sandwiches, and frozen convenience foods to nutritious, protein-rich meals. Claire identifies her commitment to attending the weekly group sessions as the true 'gamechanger' in her journey.
Remarkably, after losing 8st 7½lbs in just nine months, Claire conceived naturally. "I couldn't believe it," she said. "Aaron and I had waited years for this moment – we were overjoyed."
Overcoming Setbacks and Securing a Happy Future
Life presented severe challenges, including the devastating loss of her father to cancer. While grieving and caring for her newborn daughter, Olivia, now nine, old habits resurfaced. These struggles were compounded during the Covid lockdown, after the birth of her second daughter, Sophie, now five.
"With a toddler, a baby and Aaron working as a key worker, life felt overwhelming," Claire explained. "I turned to convenience foods, and the weight piled on. I was terrified I was killing myself."
Determined to be the active mother her daughters deserved, Claire re-joined Slimming World. The consistent support from her group inspired her to incorporate exercise, starting gently and eventually progressing to running 10k races.
Today, Claire weighs 10st 11½lbs, a total loss of 18st 7.5lbs from her highest weight of 29st 5lbs. Her achievements have been recognised with the title of Slimming World's Woman of the Year 2025.
She proudly states she achieved this without weight-loss drugs or surgery. Her life now is a world away from her past; she recently enjoyed a holiday to Disney World, walking 20,000 steps a day and enjoying rides without anxiety.
"My proudest achievement, though, is my beautiful children," Claire said. "At my biggest, I almost lost hope of having a family. Now, I'm giving them a healthy, happy future. If I can do it, so can you."
