Britain's weight loss success stories: 'I dropped five stone after taking control over my cravings'
Siobhan used to be a size 18
Siobhan Oates
Weight management remains a significant challenge in the UK and countries worldwide, with obesity rates climbing at breakneck speed due to poor dietary habits.
There is evidence that dieting alone is not always an effective way to lose and keep off large amounts of weight. For many, a multi-faceted approach is essential for long-term success.
Scientists have discovered a range of anti-obesity medicines that tackle weight through appetite control.
The new generation of weight loss drugs enables behaviours more conducive to weight loss, speeding up results on the scale. One slimmer had claimed these - along with diet and exercise tweaks - helped her make better lifestyle choices.
Siobhan lost weight by moving more and eating healthier foods
Siobhan Oates
Siobhan Oates saw instant results after joining a programme at the Slimming Clinic, the UK’s largest online weight loss clinic offering personalised and doctor-led weight management services.
The 34-year-old, from Plymouth, said: “I’m 5ft 7 inches tall and used to be what I considered a normal weight and wore size 12 clothes.
“But after falling pregnant with my first son I started gaining weight. I went on to have three more sons and the toll of having four children in the space of six years took its toll on my body.”
Juggling the challenges of parenthood had consequences on Siobhan's waistline, as she would often find herself picking at her children's leftovers or eating out of boredom.
“As a single mum, life was busy and I was constantly busy so although I can’t remember exactly what I ate back then I do remember that I got by grabbing whatever I could to eat. Things that were quick and easy," she explained.
“It was no surprise that the weight I’d gained during pregnancy didn’t shift and I also gained some more.
“I felt disgusting how I looked and didn’t value myself at all, I never looked in the mirror and took no pride in my appearance."
Siobhan became increasingly desperate to lose weight. The penny dropped that something had to change when the mum-of-four went on a run with a friend and experienced tightness in the chest.
“So around 2016 I contacted the Slimming Clinic and had an appointment with one of their fantastic doctors," she explained.
“At that point, I weighed 17 st 10lb and was wearing size 18 clothes. After a thorough consultation, I was prescribed a table called Phentermine which the doctor explained would help to suppress my appetite. I was also given advice about healthy nutrition and exercise.
“In the first week of taking the tablets, I didn’t feel as ravenous as I always used to, so I wasn’t feeling the need to grab unhealthy snacks all the time."
According to Siobhan, a healthy diet took precedence over exercise at the beginning of the programme.
Instead of reaching for her usual slice of toast or bowl of cereal in the morning, she found herself craving healthier alternatives like Greek yoghurt, berries and nuts.
"I was definitely not eating as much," she explained. "Sometimes I'd have avocadoes, with eggs."
These healthier food choices also spelt the end of Siobhan's sluggishness, which had previously limited her daily activities.
“I lost 8lb the first week and it gave me the motivation to keep going and to stay focussed," she noted.
"Gradually, the weight continued to come off and as it did I began being able to fit into clothes I hadn’t worn for years, as well as seeing my confidence grow.
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“What kept me on track was the regular doctor’s appointments and support too. In just a few years, I lost five stone, getting down to 12st 10lb and back to a size 12.
“I felt confident and happy, had more energy than I had done in years and also began to enjoy the gym a couple of times a week."
Siobhan's newfound confidence was enforced when she bumped into a friend who couldn't believe how much weight she'd lost.
“Recently I bumped into someone who I had seen since college ten years ago. When she saw me she couldn’t believe how much weight I’d lost and how good I looked," she shared.
“The truth is, I don’t just look better, I feel a million times better on the inside too. Losing weight has allowed me to enjoy life again.”
The power of a multidisciplinary approach to weight loss, focusing on diet and exercise, should not be neglected for weight loss.
It is by far one of the most effective means to shed weight and offset cardiovascular health complications.
Another key element of successful weight loss is consistency because sustainable lifestyle changes are far more likely to yield positive results than extreme dieting.
"What you think is unachievable is achievable, with some help," Siobhan added. "My life could be totally different to what it is now."