Slimming World manager say groups needed more than ever
While the arrival of weight loss injections like Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro have changed the weight management landscape, Emma Davies, who runs groups at Carlisle United's Brunton Park, claims the drugs will 'never replace' weight-loss methods based on lifestyle changes.
Emma became a Slimming World member in 2013 after realising she'd avoided having fun in the pool on holiday with her boys because of how she was feeling about her weight.
She went on to lose 3-and-a-half stone over the next couple of years and, with hindsight, said she realised that not staying for support had an impact on her weight loss journey and knowing how to sustain her target weight.
Sadly, Emma's dad was taken ill and passed away in November 2016 and she stopped going to group to be able to support him, quickly regaining the weight she'd lost.
She found the necessary strength to start again in January 2017 and has been at her chosen target weight ever since - and credits that to staying to group.
Two members of the Longtown group, Craig Richardson and Ken Forsyth, both joined Slimming World in January 2025. Both men joined for health reasons following close family and friends having heart attacks – they took the wake-up calls seriously.
Before and after of Craig (Image: Supplied) Craig said: 'It's incredible to think back to those times looking at me now. Since joining group I've lost 8 stone 6-and-a-half pounds and I love that I've lost weight eating healthy everyday food that my family can enjoy too. I love the home cooking aspect – everything has a freshness and I love batch cooking.
"My wife also loves the meals and the fact I now do all the cooking – meals like lasagne and beef curry are firm favourites. I was committed to changing my mindset and being in my group each week has helped me to think about food and my relationship with it differently.
READ MORE: Criteria warning to patients as NHS Mounjaro rollout begins
"It was tricky at first but now it comes naturally – being prepared is key. I've increased my physical activity too – I now enjoy walking, going to the gym, running, golf and I've even got back into rugby.
"My health has improved massively – I have diverticulitis and flare ups have almost stopped; I've reversed my non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and I no longer have social anxiety - all thanks to my healthier diet and lifestyle. The support I've received has helped me to make my healthy new habits part of my daily life.'
Before and after of Ken (Image: Supplied) Ken said: 'Being part of the Longtown group has been crucial to my success. Each week, I'd get a boost of motivation, fresh ideas and support from Emma and the other members which helped me to tackle challenges and kept my commitment strong. Having a good friend attend group with me has made it all the easier to stay focused. The accountability of the weekly group is important for me too – you often don't realise how well you're doing until people say so, and with the encouragement of others, I was able to stay on track week after week.
"I do all the cooking at home and I love that my family can all enjoy the same family favourites like chicken curry and beef stroganoff. In the past I've rewarded myself with crisps and chocolate for losing weight – these days I reward myself with fresh strawberries and raspberries which in all honesty I enjoy more."
Activity has become an important part of Ken's healthier lifestyle too and he now enjoys walking and golf – his knees are feeling the benefit of losing weight too – and he has much more energy to keep on top of the gardening.
Emma said: 'While, of course, we know and our members are living proof that lasting weight loss can be achieved without drugs, we also understand that when you're desperate to lose weight, it can be tempting to try something new that promises instant results.
"The truth is though there's no magic bullet – losing weight and maintaining that weight loss requires change.
"Weight loss drugs need to go hand-in-hand with making changes to your diet, activity and mindset. They're not a replacement for those changes.'
Mounjaro is an antidiabetic drug which lowers blood sugar levels and slows down how quickly food is digested.
Earlier this week, GPs across England were given the green light to start prescribing Mounjaro for the first time, opening up the treatment to hundreds of thousands more people.
About 220,000 people are expected to receive the jabs through the NHS over the next three years.
It has raised the prospect that supermarkets could start to see a more pronounced dip in grocery sales.
Those on the treatments consume as much as 30 per cent fewer calories, research has found.
Weight loss drugs like Mounjaro have been hailed as transformative in some quarters.
Estimates suggest around 1.5 million people in the UK are already taking weight loss drugs, which may have been prescribed through specialist weight loss services or via private prescription.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting said: 'Obesity is now one of the leading causes of ill health, costing the NHS billions. Yet we now have the science, technology, and knowledge to end the obesity epidemic, if we seize this opportunity."
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