A TAMESIDE mum who once struggled to get downstairs has lost eight stone, returned to education and taken up rounders after transforming her health and confidence.
Emma, who previously weighed 20 stone and wore a size 26, began her weight-loss journey in November 2024 when she joined a Slimming World group in Haughton Green.
At the time, she was awaiting three operations, struggled to walk and rarely left her home. Some days, even getting downstairs was difficult, and she occasionally used an electric scooter to attend the group.
But a painful experience involving unkind comments about her weight ultimately prompted Emma to make a change.
Although she had never considered herself lacking in confidence, the comments left her feeling embarrassed and hurt. Joining the weekly group gave her a supportive environment in which to begin rebuilding her life.
“I walked through the doors of the Tuesday morning group and found men and women of all ages and sizes. I felt completely comfortable. I realised quite quickly that the room was a safe space where I could speak openly, and that I wasn’t alone in how I felt about myself. I cannot begin to tell you how supportive every single person in that room was.”
Her journey was not always straightforward. Emma initially attended for a few weeks at a time before taking breaks, as she struggled to find the motivation to continue.
“It took a lot at the beginning,” she explained. “I had a little wobble. It was like my heart was in it, but my head wasn’t. Then I received a call from Andrea, my consultant, and it changed my life! Her words hit me, and my head and heart were finally on the same path.”
‘Horrible comments was one of best things to ever happen’
From then on, Emma committed to attending each week, gradually losing weight as her health and confidence improved.
She has now lost an incredible eight stone, going from a size 26 to a size 12, but says the impact has extended well beyond her appearance.
“My clothes got smaller, my health got better, which enabled me to have one of my operations. My whole life was getting better. I went back to college, where I completed my Level 2 counselling qualification at the age of 44. I started my Level 3 in September.
“My whole outlook on life has changed, and I feel amazing. Most importantly, I now feel that the group of women and their horrible comments was one of the best things to ever happen to me.
“Not only did it show me that my weight didn’t define who I was, it also showed me who the important people in my life really are. Thanks to them, I get to live my life happily every single day, doing things I wouldn’t have dreamed of doing.”
‘Truly an inspiration to us all’
Emma now swims every day with her swim buddy Jayne, who is also a member of Slimming World, and enjoys going to concerts and shopping in high street stores.
She has also joined a rounders team – a far cry from the days when walking around her own home could be a struggle.
Alongside the physical changes, returning to education has been another significant milestone, with Emma completing her Level 2 counselling qualification at 44 and progressing to Level 3.
Andrea Crisp, Emma’s Slimming World consultant, said: “Emma truly is an inspiration to us all. She is a very active member of the group and supports everyone each week as a member of the group’s social team. It has been an absolute pleasure to watch this lady disappear before our eyes, and her smile grow.”
And while Emma is enjoying her new-found freedom, her transformation has brought one unexpected problem at home.
“My 17-year-old daughter isn’t very happy. I’m always pinching her clothes!”
Emma continues to attend her local group as she embraces a new chapter filled with opportunities she once struggled to imagine.
Find your local Slimming World group at www.slimmingworld.co.uk