Mum-of-two's passport photo changed her life

When Sian Lewis had a new passport photo taken last year, she was not expecting it to change her life. The mum-of-two had struggled over the last few years.

She was feeling really low, had no energy, and didn't like going out. Her confidence was at rock bottom, and seeing that picture put everything into perspective.

It was the wake-up call she needed. The 38-year-old from Neath said: "I was disgusted by the look of it, I thought I had to do something. I could not keep up with the children, my mood was low, my energy was low, I didn't want to go out."

READ MORE: ‘I struggled to tie my shoelaces before Michael Mosley diet turned me into a fat-burning machine’

READ MORE: Woman went from size 34 to 14 after losing almost 12st following decades of obesity

Sian gained six stone over lockdown with the pressure of homeschooling and caring for her children while her partner was working away. A lack of personal time led Sian to neglect exercise and rely heavily on convenient options like oven meals and ready foods.

Joining her local Slimming World chapter became a turning point, and Sian went on to lose two stone before her family holiday. Proudly recalling the experience, she said: "I felt so much more confident." Her transformation continued, reaching her weight loss goal just over a year later, shedding over six stone overall.

The result has seen Sian downsize from size 18/20 to 10/12, with the mum taking delight in her newfound ability to walk into any shop knowing she'll fit into anything. Reflecting on what spurred her weight loss journey, Sian confessed: "I worked in Subway, so I was always having a big sandwich on my lunch and I would get a KFC on my way home before the kids finished school, something quick.

"Then Covid hit and my partner was away so I was home with the children. I couldn't just go out exercising I had to do what the children wanted to do. I had no time to myself."

Stress pushed her towards comfort eating, but now Sian is celebrating a healthier lifestyle. She prepares homemade meals for her entire family, including dishes like pasta bakes and cottage pie, and opts for a salad at work. Her two daughters haven't noticed any change in their meals.

"It is the same as what they ate before but just cooked from scratch," Sian said. For the latest health and Covid news, sign up to our newsletter here

Not only has Sian gained confidence in her appearance, but she's also seen improvements in her overall health. She now enjoys trips to the park with her daughters, something that was challenging for her to participate in before. Sian has also initiated a walking group and recently joined her eldest daughter on a charity walk up Pen-y-Fan. She confessed: "I would not have been able to do that before."

Sian's transformation through Slimming World has been so profound that she's now become a consultant, eager to support others. She's launching a new group at Resolven St David's Church, which will meet every Thursday at 5.30pm starting June 20. She said: "I just want to help others in the same way that I have been helped, because it has changed my life."