Meet Claire Kane, a woman from Airdrie, Scotland, who took on the challenge of losing an incredible 18st 7.5lbs (that’s around 259.5 lbs!). She went from weighing 29st 5lbs to a stunning 10st 11.5lbs, without relying on any medications, injections, or surgery.
At one point, Claire realized that her weight was impacting her health severely. Just before she hit that uncomfortable 30st mark, she found even walking became a challenge, let alone thinking about starting a family with her husband, Aaron. Over the years, infertility issues due to PCOS and endometriosis made it feel like they were stuck, but that’s when she decided something had to change. “I married Aaron in 2009, and although I was happy, my weight kept rising. We were desperately wanting a family but here I was, struggling to walk more than 200 meters without getting winded,” she shared.
After several years of struggles with childbirth and infertility, Claire chose to join Slimming World to get her weight down enough to explore IVF options. Bam! That was the start of her journey.
Finding the Right Support
Before beginning with Slimming World, Claire stated, “I had tried numerous diets with no success; it felt intimidating to walk into a group setting where I feared being judged. However, I was met with warmth and compassion, and the plan my Consultant presented felt achievable and realistic. Everything suddenly clicked.”
Fast forward nine months, and Claire achieved a remarkable loss of 8st 7.5lbs, and much to her delight, she found out she was pregnant naturally! “It was unbelievable! Aaron and I waited for this moment forever – we were ecstatic!”
But right when everything looked bright, life started throwing hurdles her way again when she tragically lost her father to cancer, as noted in a report by The Mirror. At the same time, Claire was caring for her newborn Olivia, and old habits returned. Later, when they welcomed their second child, Sophie, the struggles fanned further during the Covid lockdown.
Claire revealed, “With a toddler, a newborn, and Aaron working as a key worker, everything began to feel chaotic. Convenience foods crept back in, and my weight gradually increased again. It was terrifying, worrying that I was endangering my health and unable to play actively with my girls.”
Realizing she needed to get back on track, Claire made the decision to reconnect with her Slimming World group in August 2022, this time led by Consultant Irene Mitchell. This wasn’t just another attempt at dieting – she committed herself to attending weekly meetings, seeing it as a pivotal moment in her journey.
“Everyone in the group supported each other; we swapped recipes, tackled challenges hand in hand, and celebrated even the smallest wins. That encouragement motivated me beyond what I thought was possible,” she recounted.
In her journey with Slimming World, working in banking, Claire swapped out dull meals for vibrant, nutritious dishes, which transformed her relationship with food. She reflected, “I used to start my day with sugary breakfast cereals, grab a quick sandwich for lunch, and then feast on whatever I could find in the freezer by dinner. Now, I’m dedicated to preparing nutritious family meals that not only taste great but fill me up better.”
“I’ve also adjusted habits in my daily routine. The idea of exercise once felt overwhelming, but with Slimming World’s active lifestyle approach, they encouraged me to start small. Eventually, I began using the gym equipment during my lunch breaks, and now partaking in fun activities with my kids, like running and taking on town events like a local 10k run, is just part of life.”
Today, Claire stands proudly at a weight of 10st 11.5lbs and has recently earned the title of Slimming World’s Woman of the Year 2025. She joyfully exclaimed, “If someone had said at my heaviest that I’d achieve all of this, I wouldn’t have believed it! I’ve avoided weight-loss surgeries or drugs all along; it was scary to even think about. But with my experience at Slimming World, I can wholeheartedly say, what a journey it has been!”
Claire now embodies the active, playful mom she always wanted to be, engaging with her daughters fully. “Last year we visited Disney World, where I comfortably walked 20,000 steps daily and embraced every ride without a care about fitting in. Above all, I’m proud of my beautiful children; I once feared I’d never have a family, but Slimming World inspired a renewed freedom. Things can indeed change with perseverance, no matter how unattainable the mountain appears; one step at a time can make it happen,” she shared.
Claire sincerely wishes her story ignites motivation in others who are feeling hopeless: “If you’re over there believing it’s too late or feeling overwhelmed, please know that it isn’t. Trust me; I have come from rock bottom to standing proudly here as Woman of the Year. If I can achieve this, then you absolutely can as well.”
