North Shields mum who worried about 'not being here to see sons grow up' sheds 5.5st and drops five dress sizes

Feeling depressed, sluggish, heavy and tired was a normal part of Samantha Binks' life as she struggled to find the motivation to make a change.

As her health deteriorated, she could barely walk around the block without getting out of breath, she was uncomfortable wearing a swimsuit on holiday, and couldn't go clothes shopping as she felt too uneasy due to her size 28 figure.

The 40-year-old, from North Shields, continued to consume junk food and takeaways, biscuits with cups of tea, and toast with lashings of butter. And although she did dedicate some time to going to the gym, she continued to gain weight.

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Samantha said: "For years I kept saying I wanted to lose weight but never had the determination... My health deteriorated and I was out of breath so easily."

"I felt depressed, sluggish, heavy, and tired all the time", she added.

But it was the worry of missing her two sons growing up that provided the push that this mum and carer needed to make a huge lifestyle switch-up in the new year. And when a leaflet for a local Slimming World group was posted to her house she knew she had to give it a go.

"I was worried about not being here to see my boys grow up. Then to my surprise there was a leaflet in the door from my now Consultant Yvette", said Samantha, who attended her first group in mid January 2024.

She added: "On the first night of joining the group I felt nervous and a bit worried as to what people would think, or if they would stare at me and say 'God, you're a big lass'. I had never been to Slimming World before so didn't know what to expect."

Samantha said she was quickly made to feel at ease and finds the members help to "put a smile on your face and perk you up" if you're feeling down.

But aside from gaining moral support, Samantha has now lost five-and-a-half-stone, slimming from a size 28 to a size 18 in 10 months.

Samantha, who finds she now has more energy and feels happier, said: "Before I could barely walk around the block without getting out of breath or feeling comfortable in a swimming costume. Now I feel more comfortable going on holiday or even doing sports activities. I couldn't go clothes shopping as I felt uncomfortable but now I feel confident.

She added: "I feel happier in myself that I can join in with activities with the kids like swimming etc. I get lovely comments off people, which is definitely motivating me to do more and be more active and healthy. I feel more confident than I ever have before.

"My health has improved as I had non alcoholic fatty liver disease but now normal liver markers. I have little way to go but I'm on the right track."

Samantha has swapped her diet of "whatever [she] fancied" to include more fruit and vegetables. She has also reduced her meal portion sizes and batch cooks her food to help with cost and planning meal times.

Samantha said: "I started Slimming World in mid January 2024. It is now November, so 10 months to lose the weight I have lost. It is a fabulous achievement for me."