12 Stone Lighter Together: How One Saturday morning a year ago changed everything

For many people, deciding to lose weight starts with a single moment - a photograph, a feeling, or simply reaching the point where enough feels like enough.

For Carolyn and Colin, that moment came in June 2025, leading them to join a Saturday morning Slimming World group that would go on to transform far more than the numbers on the scales.

After trying different weight-loss journeys in the past, both admitted they had experienced success before, but struggled to maintain it long term. This time, however, the motivation was different.

Carolyn recalled feeling unhappy with how she looked and felt, deciding there was no point waiting for "another Monday" or "another time."

"I was fed up with how I looked and how I felt, and I knew something had to change," she explained.

For Colin, the turning point carried even greater emotional weight.

"The honest answer is that enough was enough," he said. "This wasn't just about smaller clothes or looking better in photographs. It was about living properly. It was about being around."

He explained that Carolyn's concern for his future became a powerful motivator.

"She told me she wanted me around for a long time, and that stayed with me."

The pair joined Lisa's Saturday morning Slimming World group the very next day — a decision they now say changed everything.

Unlike previous evening sessions, the morning group fitted naturally into their lives.

"We're weighed, supported and inspired, then we're home by 9am with the whole weekend still ahead of us," Colin said.

Both credit the support around them as being one of the biggest reasons for their success.

Carolyn described the group as full of people who genuinely want one another to succeed, while Colin called it "more than a weigh-in."

"It's a room full of people who understand the battle, the humour, the setbacks and the small victories," he said.

Lisa, who runs the Saturday morning group at St Colmans Church hall in Cosham, believes creating the right atmosphere is just as important as the weight loss itself.

"My approach has always been to make sure everyone feels happy and leaves feeling motivated and inspired, regardless of what the scales say," she explained. "Weight loss journeys aren't perfect and every week won't go exactly as planned, but it's important people leave knowing they're supported and ready for the week ahead."

The couple also found a love for Slimming World Kitchen - which helps make meals even easier!

"What I love most is that it never feels like a diet," Carolyn explained. "No food is completely off limits."

Colin added: "It's not about punishment or misery. It's about making better choices while still enjoying food."

As the weight began to come off, both started noticing victories that had nothing to do with scales.

Carolyn rediscovered confidence in skiing and no longer worried about photographs or clothing choices.

Meanwhile, Colin saw dramatic changes in everyday life.

"I can sit in an economy seat comfortably, tie my shoelaces more easily, buy clothes from normal shops and move around much more freely," he said.

Health improvements followed too. Colin reported improvements in fitness, heart rate and mobility, while Carolyn described feeling healthier, happier and more energetic.

Together, the couple have now lost around 12 stone.

Carolyn has reached her target, losing an incredible 4 stone 7 pounds, while Colin is approaching his own milestone with more than 8 stone lost through Slimming World and over 14 stone from his highest weight.

Reflecting on the journey, both say their success has gone beyond appearance.

"This isn't just about a number on the scales," Carolyn said. "It's about feeling happier, healthier and more confident."

And perhaps Colin summed it up best:

"This journey hasn't just changed how I look. It's changed how I feel, how I move, how I think about the future, and what I believe is possible."

Lisa says Carolyn and Colin’s achievements go far beyond the weight they’ve lost.

"Carolyn and Colin play such a huge part in our group. They’re always sharing ideas, meal inspiration and supporting others, and they genuinely want everyone around them to do well. Watching them both grow in confidence throughout their journey has been amazing."

"To lose 12 stone between them in one year is incredible in itself, but they’ve achieved so much more too. Colin won our Man of the Year title and together they also won our ‘Two Together’ competition - which says so much about the support and commitment they’ve shown to each other throughout their journey."

"They really are a true inspiration in group and I’m incredibly proud of everything they’ve achieved."