Sue Thompson shed more than 16 stone by dieting with Slimming World and is now passing on her passion for healthy cooking to her daughter – and thrilled that they are able to swap clothes, as she tells Janelle Butterfield

‘My weight gain started from the age of 17. Dad loved cooking, so eating was a very social affair, and I carried a love of rich food into married life. I put on weight every month and by the time I was 37, I’d pretty much resigned myself to the fact that my size might one day kill me.”

These are the words of Sue Thompson who, after seeing how well two of her friends were doing with Slimming World groups, joined groups run by Alison Cusick and Judith Churchill in County Durham.

She went on to lose an amazing 16st 2½lb and now works as a Slimming World district manager and is consultant slimmer for the organisation’s magazine.

Sue, who is 41, lives in Chester-le- Street with husband Shaun and daughter Jess, 16.

“At first, I couldn’t believe all the delicious meals I could eat. Being able to choose from such a huge range of unlimited Free Foods helped me feel in control and encouraged me to try new things, and recipes like baked fish soon became family favourites,” she says.

“It also meant a lot to me that I could choose my own target weight, though I didn’t actually set a final target for some time. Instead, I kept aiming for the next half-stone award – there was always one just around the corner, waiting to be achieved.

Now I’m a size 12 and both Shaun and Jess are unbelievably proud of me. They have supported me from day one and we’ve shed many tears of happiness together along the way.

I know they’re relieved that they no longer have to worry about my health, and they’re excited by my new love of life.

Losing weight has particularly changed Sue’s relationship with Jess “She’s 16, so she’s at an age where we can really enjoy each other’s company, and now we’re always cooking together, chatting as we go,” she says.

“Planning and preparing healthy meals is a time when we can bond and mull over our days. If I’ve been at work, Jess often cooks Slimming World recipes for us all – and she loves making fantastic desserts such as low-syn Eton mess.

“I used to worry that Jess’s friends and teachers were judging me and would think I was a bad parent because of my size – now I’m able to go along to parents’ evenings with confidence and show my support.

“Jess and I do so much together now, including things I never thought we would – from shopping to going to concerts and festivals. Recently we went to see one of our favourite bands, Thirty Seconds to Mars, and I got to meet them backstage.

It was something I’ll never forget.

I’m proud that I’m setting a healthy example for Jess, and she’s over the moon to see me so happy.

“Now we can even share clothes.

I’m sure she’s mortified that her mum wears her stuff – then again, I’ve seen her sneak into my wardrobe and borrow mine, too.”

  • This article first appeared in Slimming World. To find your nearest group, call 0844-897-8000 or log on to slimmingworld.com