A woman from Airdrie, Scotland, has transformed her life by losing an impressive 18 stone 7.5 pounds without resorting to weight-loss drugs, surgery, or injections. Claire Kane, who once weighed 29 stone 5 pounds, now weighs 10 stone 11.5 pounds and is a proud mother of two. Her journey began as she faced significant health challenges, including difficulties in walking and infertility.
Claire’s struggles started to intensify in 2009 when she married her husband, Aaron. Despite their happiness, she found herself gaining weight continuously. At nearly 30 stone, she could barely walk 200 metres without becoming out of breath. The couple longed for a family, but Claire’s weight issues and health complications made conception difficult.
After enduring seven years of infertility linked to Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and endometriosis, Claire decided to make a significant change. She joined Slimming World with the goal of losing weight to qualify for in vitro fertilization (IVF). Initially anxious about joining the weight loss group, Claire felt welcomed and supported, which helped her commit to the program.
Nine months into her journey, Claire experienced a life-changing event: she conceived naturally. “I couldn’t believe it,” she recalls. “Aaron and I had waited years for this moment – we were overjoyed.”
Tragedy struck when Claire lost her father to cancer. As she grieved and adjusted to motherhood with her newborn daughter, Olivia, now nine years old, old habits resurfaced. Four years later, after welcoming her second daughter, Sophie, now five years old, the challenges intensified during the COVID-19 lockdown. Claire found herself overwhelmed, turning to convenience foods as her weight increased.
Determined to reclaim her health, Claire rejoined her Slimming World group in August 2022, led by Consultant Irene Mitchell. She committed to attending every week, describing this decision as a “gamechanger.” “Everyone understood how I felt. We shared recipes, tackled challenges together, and celebrated every milestone,” Claire explained, noting that the support from her group was vital to her success.
Embracing Slimming World’s healthy eating plan, Claire shifted from processed meals to vibrant, nutritious options. She explained, “Before, I would start the day with sugary cereal, have a packaged sandwich for lunch, and end it with frozen nuggets and chips. Now, I focus on satisfying family meals and prioritize protein that keeps me fuller for longer.”
In addition to dietary changes, Claire became more active, encouraged by her group. Although she initially found the idea of exercising daunting, she learned to start at her own pace. As she lost weight, she began using gym equipment during her lunch breaks and found joy in running around with her children. Over the past year, she participated in various challenges, including a local 10k Race for Life, making exercise an integral part of her daily life.
Today, Claire weighs 10 stone 11.5 pounds and has been named Slimming World’s Woman of the Year 2025. Reflecting on her journey, she stated, “If you’d told me at almost 30 stone that I’d be here, I’d never have believed you.” Claire takes pride in achieving her weight loss goals without medical interventions that once terrified her.
Her newfound energy allows her to engage fully with her daughters, from chasing them at the park to swimming in the ocean. Last year, they celebrated a family trip to Disney World, where Claire walked 20,000 steps a day and enjoyed every ride without concerns about fitting in.
Claire hopes her story will inspire others facing similar struggles. “If you’re sitting there thinking it’s too late or too hard, please know it isn’t. I’ve been at rock bottom, and now I’m standing here as Woman of the Year. If I can do it, so can you.” Her journey showcases the power of community support, determination, and a commitment to a healthier lifestyle.
