Slimming World Winklebury, Basingstoke with Jo

19/08/2026

Alice our Woman of the year competition winner at our Winklebury 9am session. You’ve done so well congratulations 🥳

This is her story

My journey

I joined Slimming World because I hadn’t realised how much weight I had gained while I was on maternity leave. I went to a baby group where they took some photos, and seeing myself in them made me feel really embarrassed and uncomfortable.

At the same time, I was having gallbladder issues and my doctor told me that I needed to lose weight. It made me think about my future health and, more importantly, how my health could affect my children. I knew I needed the discipline and support that weekly weigh-ins and being part of a group could give me.

Going to group has been such a positive experience. Speaking to other people, sharing ideas and getting advice has been so helpful. Everyone at group is so lovely, and their encouragement and comments have really motivated me to keep going.

I am now so much more confident in myself. I don’t suffer with anxiety attacks as much when I’m out, I feel healthier, and I have so much more confidence in my body.

One of the things I love most is being able to walk into a shop and choose whatever I want to wear, rather than worrying about whether something will fit me.

I’m so proud of how far I’ve come, and joining Slimming World has given me so much more than weight loss — it has given me confidence, motivation and a healthier future for me and my children. ❤️

17/08/2026

This lady was one of our Woman of the year 2026 winners, a true inspiration and still doing so well on her weight loss journey.
If you would like to know more come along to the Winklebury group at Sycamore Halls on Saturdays 7.30am, 9am or 10.30am

I have arthritis in my knees and need a replacement. Like most medical people do, they said they couldn't do it because of my size.

After going through the gp program which was terrible and a waste of time, the final option was bariactric surgery. That was a big no for me. So I finally gave in and started slimming world November last year when my sister in law Maria dragged me along.

I had always been very dismissive and thought it was like Peter Kay's interpretation which was very funny. But what he doesn't say how much of a support Jo and the gang are.

We celebrate everyone's wins and support them with their losses and we do laugh a lot. I loved how Claire cheered when I got my 4 stone.

On the whole I have been ok with things and not found it too tough going as you can still have what you want if you want, although I still don't understand how it works but obviously, it does.

So thank you Jo and the 10.30 gang on Saturdays for all your support but a big thank you to my rock Maria who comes with me every week although she doesn't really need to.

08/08/2026

06/07/2026

Meet Carol our newest target member and this is her story ❤️

If Carol’s story inspires you, feel free to come and join my group on Saturday at Sycamore Halls in Winklebury, 7.30am, 9am or 10.30am.

I was in denial I was having a lot of health issues and surgery . I was not feeling great . I read on one of the discharge summaries a comorbidity was obesity.

This sent me into a downward spiral.
I had taken all my size 12 clothes to the charity shop and was wearing 18 to 20.

This depressed me but I blamed it on the sizing systems !!! Despite all this I was eating like a horse.

I joined on line slimming World for a short time then because I cheated on it , left and carried on my Eatathon !!!

The picture of me before is what tipped the balance I was mortified.
The very next day I contacted Jo and attended the first group.

For the first time I was weighed without hanging on to the radiator to make myself weigh less ! There was no judgement just a solution.

It has not been easy full of ups and downs . However there has always been the Saturday weigh in, followed by the support of the group and Jo . This has been the anchor that has kept me going. I may have reached target but I will continue to attend, I still need that support. I feel healthier not breathless and can participate in life again comfortably.

15/06/2026

This is one of our newest target members and her story.

If you would like to join our Winklebury group and start your journey come and join us Saturday 7.30am, 9am or 10.30am at the Sycamore Halls Association ❤️

I joined Jo's Winklebury SW group at the end of November 2025. A photo taken at my Dance class a few days before had prompted me - I couldn't believe how awful I looked. I felt so ashamed and embarrassed, in fact so embarrassed that I didn't even show the photo to my partner.

I'd tried for years to lose weight, to no avail. I'd been on the 5:2 diet, Rosemary Conley, the Hay Diet, to name a few. My attempts at losing weight had been cutting out potatoes, rice and pasta - all the things I can eat with SW!

I think the real problem started after June 2022 when I'd fractured my knee and couldn't exercise as normal. This was when my weight started to creep up. I continued with my twice weekly seated pilates and, over the months, I gradually built up the walking distances. Early in 2025 I joined a Dance class, going twice a week. However, none of this exercise really shifted the weight and, after the photo, I realised that I needed to do something else to help.

I looked up the details for local SW groups, called Jo and asked if I could join the Saturday Winklebury group. She was very welcoming over the 'phone and gave me a few details of what the group was about. My first visit was a bit daunting as I didn't quite know what to expect. However, I needn't have worried. Jo and the other members were so kind and friendly.

As each week went by and my jeans did up without me having to breathe in, I was inspired to keep going. It also helped when other members were sharing their successes. Another motivation was being 'Slimmer of the Week' for two weeks running.

I was thrilled to be losing weight, eating a balanced diet and more food than I'd ever eaten! On 23rd May, 2026 I reached my target weight of 9.1/2 stone, having lost 25 pounds. I'm over the moon and feel so much more confident.

I could never have done this without the help and encouragement of Jo, Simone and the other SW members. Now that I'm a Target Member I will continue with the Food Optimising and go to the group sessions every so often. I'm determined that I won't put the weight back on.

Thank you everyone at SW.

27/05/2026

Is this a sign, why not come and join us Saturday ❤️

22/05/2026

If you have a sweet tooth these are tasty 😋 and you can still lose weight. Come and join us for more tasty recipes ❤️

19/05/2026

Don’t forget to grab your copy of our latest magazine in my group on Saturday in Winklebury 😊

18/05/2026

As a Slimming World member, you’ve got so many tools to support you on your weight loss journey ❤️. Interested in sampling one? Try our free 7‑day menus 🙌!

They’re a brilliant way to:
✨ Kick‑start your journey
✨Get a taste of Slimming World before you join
✨ Get back on track if meal planning feels overwhelming
✨ Take the stress out of deciding what to eat

You can choose from Classic, Vegetarian or Vegan menus, and you’ll get a full week’s worth of recipe inspiration to help you plan ahead and stay motivated 🍽️👏. Pop me a message to find out more, or come along to my group at Sycamore Halls in Winklebury on Saturdays 7.30am, 9am or 10.30am

14/05/2026

Anyone else loving the lighter nights ☀️?

There’s something about brighter evenings that makes it so much easier to get outside... whether it’s a short walk, some fresh air after dinner or just moving a little more than usual 🚶‍♀️.

It all counts, and those small steps can make a big difference to how you feel 😍💙! Who’s been moving more recently?