“This time, something just clicked” – Debbie’s story
For Debbie Price, joining Slimming World wasn’t a new idea. Like many members, she’d been “on and off” the plan over the years, hoping each time that it would finally be the one that stuck.
But it wasn’t until she walked into Sam Jones’ Saturday morning group in Bedhampton on 11th January 2025, weighing 16 stone 4.5lbs, that everything changed.
Now, just months later, Debbie is almost an incredible 2½ stone lighter – and the changes go far beyond the scales.
“The final straw for me was my diabetes,” Debbie says honestly. “It had got so out of control that I was feeling really unwell.” Diagnosed back in 2000, Debbie admits she hadn’t always taken her condition as seriously as she should have. “I’d joined lots of Slimming World groups before and hadn’t really had success – but finding Sam changed everything.”
While Debbie is still diabetic, the impact of her weight loss and lifestyle changes has been nothing short of life-changing. “I no longer need insulin injections,” she says. “That alone has completely transformed my life.”
A huge part of Debbie’s success has been discovering just how freeing Food Optimising can be. “I love everything about it,” she smiles. “Especially the freedom – I can still go out for meals with friends and enjoy myself without feeling restricted.” At home, things are simpler too. “As a family, we often eat the same meals, which makes such a difference.”
Her go-to favourite? “Savoury mince with loads of Speed vegetables – it never gets boring for me!”
And boredom, along with emotional eating, is something Debbie knows well. “That’s been my biggest challenge,” she admits. “But now I’ve got tools to manage it, instead of food being my default.”
There have been plenty of unexpected victories along the way too. One of Debbie’s favourites still makes her laugh: “Being able to tie my own shoelaces without struggling – when I couldn’t do that before – honestly, it’s the best feeling.”
Before Slimming World, Debbie says her weight affected every aspect of her health. Now, nearly 2½ stone lighter, improvements are everywhere – especially her diabetes management and energy levels. That new-found confidence has even led her to try line dancing with Southern Steps UK, which she now enjoys on a Monday night alongside Sam and other group members, at the same venue where Sam runs her Saturday group: St Nicholas Church, Belmont Grove, Bedhampton.
Sam couldn’t be prouder. “Debbie is incredible,” she says. “Even when the scales didn’t go her way, she still showed up for herself. She’s only missed two weeks out of 57 – and those were pre-planned holidays. That commitment says everything.”
And it shows. “Debbie lights up the room,” Sam adds. “Her confidence has grown so much, and her energy is infectious.”
For Debbie, this time really is different – not because she hadn’t tried before, but because she finally found the right support, the right mindset, and belief in herself. And as she’s proving week after week, showing up for yourself really can change everything 💙