'Heartbreaking moment I knew I had to change - now I'm 56lbs lighter and love life'

When Sandie Simms decided to tackle her weight she turned to weight loss drugs. She began taking a daily injection but despite losing weight the drug left her struggling with nausea and anxiety around food

And after ditching the drugs the Chief Marketing Officer found the pounds quickly returning. But following the heartbreaking death of her brother, Sandie knew she had to do something.

She joined her local Slimming World group and found a sustainable solution - losing 56lbs and with it becoming stronger and more confident than ever. Sandie says: “At first, the promise of weight loss drugs was tempting. I paid a lot of money, telling myself it was an investment in my health.

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"Two months later, I did see a result on the scales; however, I constantly felt sick, and my appetite all but disappeared. Meals out and family get-togethers stopped being enjoyable because I either couldn’t face eating or I felt anxious about what I could eat without making myself feel worse. Ultimately food became a source of anxiety rather than pleasure.”

The 56-year-old says: “The drug did exactly what it promised. I ate less and I lost weight accordingly, but I started to question whether what I was doing was a fully conscious act. I’m not even the kind of person who reaches for a paracetamol when I have a headache, so relying on medication to manage my weight began to make me feel uncomfortable.

“Just two weeks after I stopped the jabs, my hunger and food cravings came rushing back and my old eating patterns returned. I felt disappointed in myself all over again and the pounds crept back on. I knew I needed something more permanent that would help me change my habits, not just suppress my appetite.”

Having struggled with her weight for most of her life, it was the devastating loss of her brother Vinny from leukaemia in 2023 which proved to be Sandie’s final straw. She says: “When my brother suddenly passed away, I knew I had to make a change to my own health.

"I’d tried to lose weight for years – I was a yoyo dieter and had tried every diet you can think of, only to pile the weight back on afterwards. I now realise that those diets never worked because they were quick fixes which didn’t give me any time or help to make lasting changes.”

Sandie says: “The difference I feel since joining Slimming World couldn’t be greater. Instead of missing out I can enjoy satisfying meals with my family and friends. I now feel equipped with the knowledge to make smart choices and the support to keep going when things get tough. Best of all, I’ve achieved my weight loss through consistent healthy eating and lifestyle changes I can maintain for life, not from something that only works in the short-term.”

While Sandie had been a member of Slimming World before, she would leave after being weighed. This time staying for the support session and being part of the group proved to be a turning point. “It was a revelation,” Sandie says.

“I learnt so much from the other members and from my Consultant Scott and I quickly developed strategies of my own that worked for my lifestyle. I started planning ahead before going out for meals by looking at the menu before I got to the restaurant.”

Sandie, who lives with her partner CJ, 58, and her 24-year-old daughter Lauryn, has lost 4st with Slimming World and has maintained her weight loss for over a year. She says: “Although I’ve lost weight before, this time is different. I’ve built healthy habits that stick and added activity into my routine.

"As a pescatarian, I find Slimming World caters well for me. I’m stronger, happier and more confident because I’ve found a way to maintain my weight loss that works for me – and I’ve made friends while doing so.

“The short-term fixes I tried in the past never worked but the support and nurturing atmosphere I found in group helped to forge a lasting change that I know has now become a lifestyle for me and my family.”

Mounting evidence shows that weight regain is a serious risk for those stopping weight loss medication. A University of Oxford study found that most people regained the weight they lost within a year, with full regain expected in under two years without sustained lifestyle changes.

Sandie’s story demonstrates the importance of support when it comes to weight loss. Slimming World’s evidence-based programme has been helping people to build healthy habits around food, drink and activity for 56 years.

Members, including those who join while taking weight loss injections are helped to build and embed healthy habits around food, drink and activity. For members taking weight loss drugs specifically, this will ensure they have the tools, knowledge and confidence to maintain their weight loss long after the medication stops.

Carolyn Pallister, Registered Dietitian and Head of Nutrition, Research & Health at Slimming World, says: “Research shows that being part of a supportive group significantly boosts your chances of long-term weight loss success. While weight loss medications can play a role, lasting success depends on long-term behaviour change.

"That’s why our groups are so vital, they provide the tools, knowledge and compassionate support to help members to build healthy habits for life. Members gain confidence, friendships and a sense of belonging that helps them make positive long-term lifestyle changes.”

Scott Smith is Sandie’s Slimming World Consultant. Scott says: “Sandie has been nothing short of inspirational. Watching her transformation has been an absolute joy – not just in terms of her weight loss, but in the confidence and positivity she now radiates.

"From day one on her journey this time, she embraced the support of the group and quickly became a source of encouragement for others. Her honesty, determination and willingness to share her journey have made a real impact on the other members.

"At Slimming World, our groups offer something truly powerful: real connection and Sandie’s success story is proof that when you commit to change and surround yourself with the right support, incredible things can happen.” For more information or to find your nearest group, visit slimmingworld.co.uk.