Fate, friendship and finding herself –Lisa’s incredible Slimming World journey
Sometimes life gently nudges us in the right direction. Sometimes it shouts. And sometimes — as in the case of Lisa Bampton — it places the exact person you need right in front of you, at the exact moment you’re meant to meet them.
Lisa’s Slimming World journey didn’t begin in a group, or with a recipe, or with a New Year’s resolution. It began on a sunbed in Turkey, with a magazine article that changed everything.
In June 2024, Lisa and her partner Andy were on holiday, both knowing deep down that change was needed.
The comments about her weight — unkind, unsolicited, and hurtful — were becoming harder to brush aside.
“I was heavier than I had been for years,” Lisa explains. “I couldn’t move or exercise like other people, and with nearly 20 tablets a day for my disabilities, the weight just crept on.”
Then, on that holiday, she read a story about a woman from Havant who had struggled with IVF, lost weight with Slimming World, and later had twins at the age of 52.
That woman was Sam Jones — though Lisa didn’t know her name yet.
“I wondered where she was from,” Lisa remembers. “I had no idea fate was already at work.”
June 29, 2024 — The day fate became reality
When Lisa and Andy returned home, they joined their local Slimming World group in Bedhampton.
And when Lisa walked through the door, she froze. Standing in front of her was the woman from the magazine. Her inspirational story — right there in the flesh.
“I was absolutely shocked,” says Lisa.
“That article inspired us to join… and then the very same woman, Sam, was our consultant. It felt like fate.”
And perhaps it was.
This week, Lisa reached her dream target weight — an incredible 5 stone 12lbs lost.
Physically. Mentally. Emotionally. Her life has changed in every way.
But the road wasn’t easy.
She had joined Slimming World three times before, losing only 3lbs each time before giving up. Her disabilities and medication made weight loss feel impossible. Her confidence was low. Her belief in herself had faded.
But Sam saw what Lisa couldn’t yet see in herself.
“Sam gives every member the belief that they can do it,” Lisa says. “I didn’t think I could — but she believed in me. And now… here I am.”
On the day she reached her target, Lisa shared her journey with her group:
“Today, I achieved something I never thought I would get to… my target!
I started my journey last year weighing 18st 5lbs, and today I hit my target weight of 12st 7lbs – a loss of 5st 12lbs!”
“I can’t exercise like other people because of my disabilities, but as the weight has come off, I feel so much healthier and more confident — mentally and physically. I’m so proud of myself. I’ve made lifelong friends in group. And I truly believe meeting my consultant Sam Jones was fate.
I read her story in a magazine on holiday, and it inspired me so much. To walk in and see her standing there as my consultant… I couldn’t believe it. The rest, as they say, is history.”
For Lisa, Food Optimising hasn’t just changed her — it’s changed her household.
“We all eat the same healthy meals now — even if it’s the Slimming World frozen meals from Iceland. I love trying recipes from the cook books… chicken and bacon casserole, Cuban beef. And my favourite of all is mushroom soup — I make it from scratch! I surprise myself.”
Food is no longer the enemy. It’s joy, nourishment, creativity, confidence.
Losing nearly six stone has transformed Lisa’s daily life:
“I can walk into most shops now and know the clothes will fit — sometimes they’re even too big! Bras are still trial and error because my bust has shrunk so much, but that’s a learning curve, lol!”
Lisa lives with osteoarthritis in her back, neck and leg, and chronic swelling in her knees and legs.
But today: “My legs don’t swell as much, and my knee doesn’t hurt like it used to. I’ll always have pain, but it’s more bearable. I feel healthier and don’t get out of breath like before.”
Perhaps the biggest shift: “I’ve struggled with depression since I was 19. But now it feels like the sun has finally decided to shine on me. I feel confident, happy… and I’m finally starting to like who I am. That’s completely new for me.”
The group has recognised Lisa’s incredible determination and heart. She has been:
- Group Woman of the Year
- Two Together Winner
- Icon of the Year 2024 & 2025
- Nominated again for the Icon Award this year
“Never in a million years did I thik I’d win these. The lovely reasons people gave had me so emotional. I felt the love in the room — and still do.”
And one of her proudest moments?
“Fitting into my little black dress — a size 12 — for the first time in over 10 years. I couldn’t stop smiling.”
Sam says: “Lisa’s transformation is nothing short of amazing. Her strength, determination and positivity light up the group every week. She is proof that belief, support and perseverance can truly change a life — and I honestly couldn’t be prouder.”
Lisa firmly believes she was meant to read that magazine article. She was meant to walk into Sam’s group. She was meant to find the support, belief and friendship that helped her bloom.
“I will always say that Sam believed in me and helped me 100%. I have so much to thank Sam for — along with my amazing group. I am eternally grateful.”
Today, Lisa stands almost six stone lighter… and a thousand times stronger.
Her story is proof that sometimes fate doesn’t just whisper — it guides you straight to the door you’re meant to walk through.
And when you stride through it?
Your whole life can change.
Sam runs groups on a Thursday evening at St Michael’s and All Angels Church, Dunsbury Way, Leigh Park at 4pm, 5.30pm and 7pm and on a Saturday morning at St Nicholas Church, Belmont Grove, Bedhampton at 7.30am, 9am which is the group Lisa attends and 10.30am.