Here's how Leeds mum-of-three Yvonne Ackroyd lost an incredible SEVEN stone with Slimming World
Leeds super slimmer Yvonne Ackroyd said goodbye to fast food - and an incredible SEVEN stone in weight.
For years, she had convinced herself that changing her shape simply wasn’t going to happen.
After three children, busy family life and years of disappointment, she had quietly accepted that this was just how things would always be.
But in November 2022, one small decision changed everything.
She spotted an advert for a new local Slimming World group and decided to give it a go.
It was one small step that would ultimately transform not just her figure, but her confidence, fitness and everyday life too.
“I had been unhappy with my weight for many years. I thought, what have I got to lose – no pun intended!” she laughs.
Joining Slimming World, with the support of others, became the turning point in a truly life-changing journey.It's not just about the number on the scales but the confidence she’s found again and feeling in control.
And the everyday things that once felt difficult now come easier - climbing stairs without gasping for breath, fitting into old clothes, and finally feeling in control.
Her consultant, Ellie, remembers the fist time she met Yvonne.
“She walked in unsure, like so many people do. That’s why I always say — you don’t have to believe in yourself yet. Just borrow our belief. My job is to see the potential in you until you can see it yourself," said Ellie.
That support, Yvonne says, made all the difference.
One of the biggest surprises was realising she didn’t have to survive on “diet food” or give up the meals she loved.
“I love Food Optimising because I can still enjoy the same foods. I just had to make some slight changes,” she explains.Instead of relying on jars, packets and takeaways, she started cooking more meals from scratch.
It worked for the whole family too. Meals like Slimming World chilli and egg fried rice quickly became household favourites.
She said; “I was surprised how easy it was to make - it was cheaper and tasted better. The family eat the same meals and enjoy them just as much as me.”
Ellie says that’s one of the biggest myths people bring with them when they first join.
She said: “So many people think they’ll have to cook different meals or give up everything they love. Yvonne proves that isn’t true. This isn’t about deprivation — it’s about learning how to make food work for you.”
Still, the changes were real. Fast food and regular takeaways had to go. Crisps, sweets and chocolate stopped landing in the trolley.
Socialising meant switching to vodka and Diet Coke - a lighter choice when having an occasional drink.
They might sound like small swaps, but together they added up to something huge.
As the weeks passed, the results started to show — not just in her weight, but in everyday life.
Today, Yvonne can fit into clothes she hasn’t worn since before having children, and her eldest is nearly 25.
She enjoys long walks and hikes. She can cross her legs comfortably. She can get in a car or on an aeroplane without worrying about a seatbelt extender. She can stand for long periods without backache or joint pain.
And perhaps most importantly, she can move through life without constantly feeling held back by her weight.
“I used to get to the top of the stairs and be out of breath,” she says. “I couldn’t walk far without feeling exhausted.”
Although she didn’t have diagnosed health conditions, she knew the risks that came with carrying extra weight.
Now, she says she feels lighter, stronger and healthier.
For Ellie, the transformation goes far beyond appearance. She adds: “The physical changes are incredible, a seven stone weight loss is phenomenal. But what makes me most proud is the confidence Yvonne has gained. She walks taller. She speaks up in the group. She supports others. That’s what transformation really looks like.”
That sense of support has become one of the biggest parts of Yvonne’s success. It's more than a weekly weigh-in.
“We support each other, share recipes, and motivate each other," she says.
And now, having reached target, she hopes her story might help someone else who feels exactly as she once did.
That one first step changed everything. Seven stone lighter and everything feels possible again.
* Yvonne attends Ellie’s Slimming World group at Halton Christ Church, LS15 7RW. Sessions are held every Tuesday evening, starting at 4pm, 5.30pm or 7pm.
For more information or to join Ellie’s group contact her on 07813 156316
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