Mum sheds six stone with cheese grater hack and says 'money lasts longer'

A mum who saw her weight soar due to a sedentary lifestyle has shared her secret to dropping an impressive six stone.

Joanne Probert once weighed in at nearly 18 stone before she decided it was time to ditch her unhealthy ways for good. The 48 year old used to "sit on the sofa doing as little as possible" until she joined Slimming World in the summer of 2023.

With a combination of exercise and a food optimising plan, Joanne watched the pounds melt away, eventually slimming down to 11st 10lbs. She attributes her weight loss success to staying active in ways that didn't necessarily involve running or hitting the gym.

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Joanne, from Blackley, told the M.E.N: "After losing six stone and completing my training, it's a privilege for me to be able to pass on my experience, insight and understanding that helped me so I can give my members the support they need to get to target."

Joanne, who has since become a Slimming World consultant, also mentioned that her weight loss journey didn't involve giving up hearty foods. "I'd always get tired of restricting what I ate," she explained.

"I thought I was destined to struggle with my weight for the rest of my life. The eating plan encourages you to eat lots of tasty and filling foods like pasta, rice, potatoes, lean meat and fish.

"You are never hungry and no foods are banned so there's no deprivation. I couldn't believe I had found a way to lose weight without going hungry."

Joanne credits unconventional exercise methods for her increased activity levels, saying, "Many people have unpleasant memories of being forced to take part in activities at school.

"People can build activity into their daily routine without having to take up traditional forms of exercise like going to the gym and running. Everything counts, from walking to gardening to washing the car. I love walking the dog, going dancing and swimming.

"Before, I would just sit on the sofa and do as little as possible. [Losing weight] has completely changed me and made me feel alive."

Joanne says another way she slimmed down was by using the fine side of a cheese grater – typically used to grate nutmeg and zest citrus fruit – to grate cheese. "You won't need as much cheese or money as it lasts longer," she added. The mum now holds her group sessions at St Peter's Church every Monday at 5.30pm.

Jeanie Logan, who manages Joanne as a team developer, added: "Slimming World consultants are chosen for their positive outlook and because they genuinely care about the health and happiness of others."

"With Joanne's experience of being a successful member and her kind and warm personality and great sense of humour, I just know that she'll be an amazing support to members, cheering them all the way to their target weight."