Exclusive:
When Hayley Gooding’s weight hit 15st 3.5lb, the 48-year-old was left struggling to tie her shoelaces but after her doctor said she need a knee replacement she finally took action
I’d struggled with my weight my whole adult life and even tried to lose it in the past but my heart was never in it. It was when I had my daughters Jessie, now 21, and Jasmine, 17, that my weight really felt out of control. Yet it took a routine check-up with my GP to spur me into taking action. I was 15st 3.5lb and a dress size 18 and as I heard the words “medically obese” come from my doctor’s mouth, and him telling me I was heading for a knee replacement due to my arthritis – in my 40s – I told myself something had to change.
I looked at myself in the mirror that evening, in tears and in pain from the inflammation in my knees, and I knew that I couldn’t go on like this. I’d come across a social media post from a friend who’d lost weight with Slimming World and she looked incredible. Seeing her look so happy and confident gave me the boost I needed to join a group myself. I wanted to be fitter and healthier, not only for myself but for my daughters too, and only I could control that.
After speaking to my GP, I was offered a 12-week membership to a local Slimming World group, near my home in Stowmarket, Suffolk, through the OneLife Suffolk referral scheme. I remember being racked with nerves on the first night. My confidence was at its lowest and I was scared of being judged but I was very quickly reminded I had no reason to be worried.
Everyone was so lovely and my consultant, Nicholas Watkins, put me at ease right away. Looking back, I just wish I had done it sooner. By the end of the 12 weeks, I’d lost nearly a stone, and was feeling great, so I decided to pay for another 12-week countdown course. Going to the group each week, and listening to the other members talk about their journeys, really helped me think about food differently, and I love that no food is out of bounds. I’ve never felt like I am going without either. If anything, I eat more now than I ever did before.
I also changed my drinking habits; before, at the weekends and in the evening after a day working as a control support administrator for a utilities firm, I’d drink two bottles of wine a week, but as I became more aware of how it impacted me – and my goals – I realised I didn’t need it any more. When I do fancy a drink though, I’ll go for gin with a diet lemonade.
Now I eat more nutritious and filling meals. I cook with fresh meat and make my own sauces, rather than using shop-bought jars and relying on freezer meals. My favourite meal to cook is a Slimming World curry – and the whole family enjoys it too, so I never have to worry about cooking separate meals for everyone. I love using the Slimming World app and podcast for recipe ideas too.
As I started losing weight, small things that once felt like a chore, like tying my own shoelaces and walking without getting out of breath, became easier – and being able to keep up with my daughters’ pace was a bonus. It wasn’t long before I joined them at the gym too.
And as my confidence grew, I started setting goals outside of my weight-loss journey – like trying new activities, meeting new people and learning to be kinder to myself. One of the best things that’s happened to me since losing weight is meeting my partner, Ian. We met at my Slimming World group and as we struck up a conversation, I found myself laughing and sharing stories with him in a way I hadn’t done in years. There was a connection, and an ease that I took comfort in – the fact that we could support each other on our journeys is something I’ll always cherish.
Now, at 10st 8.5lb and a dress size 10, I can’t help but beam with pride when I think about how far I’ve come. After a follow-up with my GP I was told I’m no longer on the list for a knee replacement. And I was able to keep my promise to my daughter to go horse riding with her when I reached my target weight.
I beamed with pride, knowing that just a few years ago I could barely help her look after the horses without getting out of breath. Losing weight has given me my life back and I can’t wait to see what the next chapter of my life brings.
