Sponsored content: paid for by Slimming World.
Jenny Longden shares her personal story in her own words. Copy and photographs supplied and approved by Slimming World.
Wall-flower to Centre Stage
Have you ever felt like you have no control over what is happening to your body, your weight, your health and your confidence in yourself. This is exactly how I felt for years. At the age of 63 and still going through menopause I was tired all the time, hair started to go thinner, skin went dry, hormones were everywhere. With the weight, I was struggling to walk long distances, climb stairs, always out of breath.
In May 2025 my mother died from complications arising from her Type 2 Diabetes. Neither of us realized what damage the diabetes was doing to her body until it was too late. I promised her I would never let myself get in that position. It got to the point I told my husband I can't do this anymore. I made an appointment with the doctor. They did some blood tests. I got the results of my blood test back on my mother's birthday. The results showed I was now 'pre-diabetic'. Just the words alone filled me with horror and dread.
A SlimmingWorld leaflet had been delivered a week earlier. I pulled it out, group was the following morning so I took that first brave step to the new me. The consultant was welcoming; I dreaded getting on the scales at 5'6 and weighing 15st 8lb but the members were all really friendly and I never felt judged. That was day 1 of my new life. Group for me has been a space where I felt safe to express my concerns around food, I felt my input was valued whenever I shared strategies that help me to stay on plan. I found a love for cooking again, 'food optimising' has given me the freedom to make hearty family meals. I have discovered that variety is truly the spice of life. I use a 'rainbow' of colour and flavours in my meals from the extensive range of SPEED and FREE foods SlimmingWorld recommends. Some of my favourite meals are lasagna, cottage pie, chilli and who doesn't love a curry. I can enjoy all of these meals and stay on plan and lose weight.
Today I am 10st 11lb, I am at my TARGET! I've lost 4st 11lb. I have gone from size 22 to size 14 in just 9 months.
I learnt that small changes can bring big rewards. Through 'food optimising' and incorporating their 'active lifestyle' programme into my life; I am more confident, more energetic, love going for walks in the countryside, my skin has gone back to normal. I am no longer 'pre-diabetic'. I am ready to take on the next stage of my weight loss journey as a SlimmingWorld Consultant.
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