‘People used to shout at me in the street, but they’ve stopped their sniggering now’

Golborne: Natasha Harvey has completely transformed her life after hitting rock bottom. Just three years ago, she weighed 24 stone 10 pounds and struggled with a serious sugar addiction.

She recalls feeling trapped in negativity, often asking herself why she was even here. A visit to the doctor revealed her health was in decline, and she knew she had to make a change.

Natasha used to indulge in twelve chocolate bars in one go and would devour an entire Costco fudge cake by herself. It wasn’t about takeaways; it was pure sugar that made her feel good temporarily.

People were often unkind, shouting hurtful comments at her in public. Those remarks stung, and she would turn to food for comfort.

In 2022, Natasha decided to join Slimming World, and within months, she started shedding the weight. She learned to keep a food diary and discovered how to enjoy her favorite foods in moderation.

The community support was a game-changer for her. She made friends and learned to express her feelings, which helped her stick to her goals.

Now, Natasha has lost an incredible 10 stone and 10 pounds. She beams with pride as she shares how people now compliment her instead of sniggering.

Her newfound confidence has opened doors. She loves going out, even to the theatre and cinema, without worrying about fitting into seats. Last year, she traveled to Cyprus and wore a swimming costume for the first time.

Natasha has always struggled with her weight, starting from a young age. After some trauma counseling, she found the strength to tackle her sugar addiction head-on.

The first two weeks of cutting out sugar were tough, but the support from Slimming World made all the difference. She emphasizes that obesity is a real condition, just like alcoholism, and she’s proud of her journey.

Now, she attends Slimming World classes weekly to keep herself on track. Natasha is committed to her health and is excited about her future.