Sarah scoops award for long-term weight loss success

Sarah Wells runs a Slimming World group in Fleetwood and uses her own experiences to support 300 members in the community each week.

Sarah was one of just 26 Slimming World Consultants from across the UK to secure a place in the semi-finals of the organisation’s Top Target Consultant 2025 competition, held at its head office in Derbyshire. The competition celebrates Consultants who have shown a commitment to building lasting healthy habits and maintaining their own weight loss, while helping and inspiring others in their local community to make changes too.

Sarah first joined her local Slimming World in September 2019 weighing 14st 11.5lbs after finding her weight was impacting the way she felt about herself inside and out. she reached her target weight of 10st 11lbs in November 2020 and has maintained it ever since – a total of 4years 2months.

She says: “Before joining Slimming World, my weight was a big issue for me, consuming my daily thoughts and stopping me from doing the things I now enjoy, like wearing smaller clothes and feeling confident in my body.

“If I’m honest though, I didn’t dare to believe that I’d be able to lose weight and stay slim for good. I thought if I wanted to lose weight, I’d have to restrict myself and this would mean missing out. With Slimming World it just wasn’t the case. Nothing is off limits, I learned how to prepare and cook all my favourite food in a different way. I wasn’t missing out, instead I was filling my body with nutritious and healthy foods I love, like pasta, chocolate and potatoes and I've lost 5st 8lbs while doing so. I have a huge appetite and love how much you can enjoy.

“I remember being nervous and full of doubt when I got to my first Slimming World group. I also remember how quickly those nerves disappeared though. All the group members and my Consultant were so welcoming. It was refreshing to be in a space where everyone was on the same journey and cheered each other on – I didn’t feel like I was alone anymore. I’d say from my very first group something switched in my mind and I started to believe I could lose weight – in fact, I was determined to reach my weight loss goal – and stay there. That self-belief and commitment was a game changer for me.”

It wasn’t long before Sarah started to think about how she could get moving more and Slimming World’s physical activity support programme, Body Magic, has helped her build up her activity levels at her own pace. She says: “Now I walk, run and take part in charity events like the Blackpool Colour Run, Memory walk and Race for Life. I love that it’s my time for me, it helps me to feel great both physically and mentally, and it helps me to manage my weight, too.”

After losing 5st 8lbs and reaching her target weight, Sarah wanted to help other people make the changes she had made and so decided to train to become a Slimming World Consultant herself in Nov 2021. Now she supports slimmers at her group which is held every Thursday at The Broadway Room, Fleetwood and Friday at Larkholme Community Centre.

She says: “I love where I am in my life right now. I’m happy, healthy and in a role I’m so passionate about that doesn’t feel like work – and I have Slimming World to thank for that. I couldn’t have done it without the support of my wonderful Consultant and group members. They were such a key part of my journey, so the opportunity to do something for people in a similar situation just seemed perfect. I love the freedom and flexibility it allows me, and that I can be present in my family life. I never miss school plays or events or being able to be there for them and I feel so lucky that I’ve been able to pay it forward now with my members too – seeing their success is so rewarding.”

Slimming World currently has opportunities for members or former Consultants who are keen to open a local group. To find out more or to sign up to attend an opportunity event, click here.

If you’re inspired by Sarah’s journey everyone’s welcome at the Fleetwood Slimming World group and anyone who’d like to find out more can visit www.slimmingworld.co.uk or call Sarah on 07432141695.