Mother Sheds Five Stone Without Injections After £120 Weekly Takeaway Habit
A mother who once spent up to £120 a week on takeaways has revealed how she was left "out of breath doing almost anything" before losing nearly five stone—without resorting to weight loss injections. Whitley Lloyd, 34, from Brecon in Wales, turned to food for comfort a decade ago after the loss of her grandmother, ordering up to four takeaways weekly at around £30 each.
Looking back now, it's shocking to think about how much money I was spending, she said. "I'd barely eat during the day, only to end up having takeaways and snacks late at night." At her heaviest, Whitley, who stands at 5ft 3in, weighed 15st 9lbs, placing her firmly in the obese category. But it was the impact on her daily life that became most apparent.
The Turning Point: From Discomfort to Determination
She explained, "I used to think takeaways were a treat, yet I found I wasn't enjoying them anymore—they were making me feel poorly and giving me headaches. I used to get out of breath doing almost anything, even just going up the stairs." Working as a hairdresser meant long hours on her feet, leading to constant discomfort. Her pivotal moment came after seeing a photo of herself at a family party, which spurred her into action.
Encouraged by a friend, she joined Slimming World, a decision she describes as having "changed everything." The programme involves weekly weigh-in sessions and promotes a low-calorie diet focused on homemade meals while avoiding calorific, nutritionally poor snacks and drinks. That first week I threw myself into the healthy eating plan and I lost five pounds, Ms Lloyd recalled. "It was a huge moment. For the first time, I realised losing weight was possible."
A New Lifestyle: Home-Cooked Meals and Financial Savings
Since joining, she has swapped takeaways for home-cooked meals and started planning ahead to stay on track. Ms Lloyd, who lives with her husband Sean and 12-year-old daughter Aleena, now weighs 10st 11lbs and has dropped from a size 18 to a size 10. "When I think about how I was spending up to £500 a month on takeaways, it's unbelievable," she said. "Now I've only had four takeaways this year—and I'm proud of the meals I can cook."
She added that simple planning stopped her from reaching for delivery food and helped her rediscover the joy of eating. "I've lost weight by eating delicious, satisfying meals, saved money, and discovered I'm a really good cook," she shared. "My most recent success was a vegetable madras—it was amazing. My dad's a real foodie, and he always asks when I'm making his favourite meals."
Beyond Weight Loss: Regaining Confidence and Fitness
Her transformation also enabled her to become more active, completing the Couch to 5K running programme. "I cried when I finished it," she admitted. "I never believed I'd be able to do something like that. I'm happier, healthier, and truly myself again." Reflecting on her journey, she concluded, "Slimming World didn't just help me lose weight—it gave me back my spark, my confidence, and control of my finances."
