‘It’s been about balance, consistency and finding a way of eating that fits our lives’
Ellen and Steve were juggling work and parenting and often relied on takeaways(Image: Supplied – Ellen)
A Hull couple who once relied on quick, convenient food and blamed long working days for unhealthy habits have shed a combined 16 stone, but say the real transformation has been in their confidence, health, and daily life.
For years, weight was a quiet struggle for Ellen and Steve. With two children, demanding jobs, and little time to spare, takeaways became routine and promises to “start again on Monday” faded as quickly as they were made.
Dozens of weight loss diets came and went: high‑protein, low‑carb, shakes, soups. Each one ended the same way. But in May 2024, a favourite top that no longer fit became Ellen’s catalyst for change.
“I was done with excuses,” Ellen said. “I walked back into Slimming World and was met with warmth and encouragement from my consultant, Anna, and the rest of the group. I didn’t realise then how important that moment would be.”
The following year brought a second, far more difficult shift. Steve lost his mother, and grief pushed him toward emotional eating.
In July, at just 43, he was diagnosed with arthritis in his knees and warned that without significant weight loss, he could face giving up his job as a builder. The news was devastating but it also became the wake‑up call Steve needed.
He joined his wife at Slimming World’s Thursday group, and together they committed to the Food Optimising plan. What began as a personal effort quickly became a shared mission.
Fast food disappeared from their routine, replaced by home‑cooked meals, fresh ingredients, and healthier versions of the dishes they loved, while saving lots of money. They learned to plan, make mindful choices when eating out, and support each other through setbacks.
“This hasn’t been about restriction,” Ellen says. “It’s been about balance, consistency and finding a way of eating that fits our lives.”
The results have been dramatic. Ellen has reached her target weight, losing 7st 7lbs and dropping six dress sizes. Steve has lost 9 stone since July, reducing five waist sizes and three top sizes.
His arthritis remains a challenge, but the weight loss has made work far more manageable. They credit much of their success to the Slimming World community.
“It’s more than a group – it’s a support system,” Ellen said. “There’s always someone to celebrate your wins and someone to lift you when things don’t go to plan.”
Now, Ellen is taking her journey full circle. Using the knowledge, confidence, and skills she’s gained, she is relaunching her own Slimming World group in Hull.
She will be welcoming new members every Thursday at Bodmin Road Church at 4pm and 5.30pm, hoping to support others in the city to make the same life‑changing steps she and her husband have made.
For more information, please contact Ellen on 07734 727745.
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