Claire was unable to walk or have children – now she is a mum of two.
A woman lost 18st 7.5lbs going from 29st 5lbs to 10st 11.5lbs without jabs, pills or surgery. Claire Kane says she knew she needed to make a change as she headed towards 30stone and found herself ‘barely able to walk’ and unable to conceive.
Claire and her husband had been tryuibg for a baby – but her health made it impossible. She said: “I married my husband Aaron in 2009. I was happy, but I kept gaining weight. At almost 30st, I could barely walk 200 metres without feeling out of breath. We longed for a family, but it just wasn’t happening for us.”
After seven painful years of infertility caused by Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and endometriosis, Claire joined Slimming World with the goal of losing weight to qualify for IVF. Claire, from Airdrie in Scotland, said: “I’d tried other diets, but nothing seemed to stick. Walking into group was daunting, I thought everyone would be judging my size, but I was welcomed with open arms. When my Consultant explained the plan, it felt realistic and achievable – something just clicked.”
Nine months later, after losing 8st 7½lbs, Claire conceived naturally. She said: “I couldn’t believe it . Aaron and I had waited years for this moment – we were overjoyed.”
But life threw Claire a devastating curveball when she lost her dad to cancer. Grieving and caring for her newborn Olivia, now nine, old habits crept back. And then four years later after welcoming her second miracle baby, Sophie, now five, the Covid lockdown brought new challenges. She said: “With a toddler, a baby and Aaron working as a key worker, life felt overwhelming. I turned to convenience foods, and the weight piled on. I was terrified I was killing myself. I couldn’t join in playing at the park with the girls and I wasn’t the mum I wanted to be for them.”
Determined to change, Claire returned to her Slimming World group in August 2022, led by Consultant Irene Mitchell. This time, she made a promise to stay to the group every week – something she calls a ‘gamechanger’.
“Everyone understood how I felt. We shared recipes, tackled challenges together and celebrated every milestone. That support pushed me further than I ever thought possible.”
Claire, who works in banking, embraced Slimming World’s healthy eating plan, Food Optimising, swapping beige plates for colourful meals and learning mindful habits that transformed her relationship with food. She Says: “Before I would start the day with sugary cereal, have a package sandwich for lunch and end it with anything I could find in the freezer like frozen nuggets and chips.
“Then I’d sit in front of the TV at night snacking on chocolate and crisps. Now I focus on satisfying family meals and prioritise protein that keeps me fuller for longer. The plan and the conversations we had in my Slimming World group helped me to understand my habits around food, and I learned how to incorporate all my favourites in a healthy, sustainable way.”
In the group Claire was inspired to get more active. She says: “The thought of exercise was daunting to me, but Irene explained that with Slimming World’s active lifestyle programme it was more about getting started at my own pace. As the weight came off, I started using the gym equipment at work on my lunchbreak. Now I have so much fun running around with my kids and over the past year I’ve taken part in several challenges including my local 10k Race for Life. Exercise is just part of my everyday life now, and I know it will support me to keep my weight off long term.”
Today, Claire weighs 10st 11½lbs and has been named Slimming World’s Woman of the Year 2025. She said: “If you’d told me at almost 30st that I’d be here, I’d never have believed you. People ask if I used weight-loss drugs or surgery – which I would’ve qualified for, but they always terrified me. I’m always proud to say I did it with Slimming World – it’s been one hell of a journey!”
She added: “I’m the mum who can chase my girls to the swings and swim in the ocean. Last year we went to Disney World. I walked 20,000 steps a day and went on every ride without worrying if I’d fit. My proudest achievement, though, is my beautiful children. At my biggest, I almost lost hope of having a family. Now, I’m giving them a healthy, happy future and I’ll be here to enjoy it. Slimming World gave me the life I dreamed of, and I want others to know: no matter how big the mountain seems, you can climb it one step at a time.”
Claire hopes her story will inspire others who feel the same way she once did: “If you’re sitting there thinking it’s too late or too hard, please know it isn’t. I’ve been at rock bottom, and now I’m standing here as Woman of the Year. If I can do it, so can you.”
