3 Keys to Healthy Weight Loss
Local lady, Sarah Oliver shows how these 3 keys to weight loss were her route to success on her 7 stone weight loss journey.
After a knee injury left Sarah unable to stay active, the weight crept on. The turning point came on Valentine’s Day 2023. During a hospital appointment she was told she would need to “be less fat” to access the surgery she badly needed. The words stung. She went home, tried to block it out and treated herself to a big bar of chocolate.
Key 1: Support
Sarah knew that she needed support to hit her weight goal and she had been to the well known, national weight loss organisation, Slimming World in the past:-
“I knew I needed to go back, I knew that the biggest hurdle was walking through the doors, I also knew that once I was there that it would be fine, as if I’d never left, as if I’d always been there.”
In April 2023 she did just that, walked back through the doors and didn’t look back. She lost just over 5 stone and underwent surgery in January 2024. Complications meant she had to step away from the group for seven months, but she returned and hit target in April 2025.
Sarah trained as a Consultant for Slimming World, and took over the Leighton Buzzard group in September. She says:
“After losing over 7st and completing my training, it’s a privilege for me to be able to pass on the experience, insight and understanding that helped me, so that I can give my members the support they need to get to target.
“Support is really the most important thing. It all starts with feeling that you’re not alone. I couldn’t have lost 7 stone without the weekly help, encouragement and understanding of my own Consultant and group. As someone who has lost weight myself, I know the challenges people can face, which is why, along with the group, I will be there to support every one of my members all the way to their chosen target weight. Setting targets, sharing recipes and other ideas, and working together as a group to overcome challenges and celebrate success is so important to a successful journey. That’s why, at my Slimming World group, there’ll be tons of support, encouragement and fun.
Science also supports “support” with studies showing that those that use groups to help them through their weight loss journey have better success than flying solo.
Key 2: Good Food
Feeling deprived or cutting out food groups can be unhealthy and unsustainable. The British Dietetics Association encourage eating a wide range of food from all food groups to remain healthy. Sarah told us:-
“Before joining Slimming World, I’d tried so many different ways to lose weight, but I’d always get tired of restricting what I ate. I thought I was destined to struggle with my weight for the rest of my life, but when I came to Slimming World it was different. I never felt like I was on a diet. The eating plan encourages you to eat lots of tasty, filling foods like pasta, rice, potatoes and lean meat and fish, you’re never hungry and so you don’t feel like you’re missing out.”
Key 3: Activity No Matter How Small
As with most weight loss advice getting active not only helps weight loss but improves mood and wellbeing too. But it can be daunting if you are unfit, just beginning your weight loss journey or like Sarah, recovering from injury.
“Slimming World isn’t just about changing what you eat. Becoming more active is important too. The Body Magic physical activity support programme helps members build activity into their daily routine at their own pace. Everything counts from walking to gardening to washing the car. By taking small steps I can now enjoy an outdoor walk again.”
Take the First Step
Group members (and Sarah) know how daunting that first step is and you will have a friendly, supporting and encouraging welcome pop along to Sarah’s Slimming World group at Vandyke Upper School every Tuesday at 6.30pm or call 07916 028 418.
