The wake-up call that saved our family: How a Kettering family lost 10 stone together

For Emily Ireson-Vaughan, 45 from Kettering, dropping from a size 20 to a size 10 meant exactly that. But her transformation began with something far more serious – her husband's stroke at just 33 years old. What happened next changed everything.

When my husband, Lee had a stroke, I felt my world stop. He was only 33. We had children who needed us. And I knew in that moment that something had to change.

I'd been avoiding the truth for years. I felt down about myself and was anxious every time I saw my GP. When a health check revealed borderline high blood pressure, I pushed it to the back of my mind. But Lee's stroke? That was the wake-up call I couldn't ignore – not for me, not for Lee, and not for our children.

If you're reading this thinking 'I've tried everything', I get it. I’ve been there twice before.

Why this time was different

I'd joined Slimming World before. Twice, actually. Both times I got halfway to target and thought I could finish the journey alone at home. Both times I ended up right back where I started, feeling like a failure. I'd tried intermittent fasting too, that just made me miserable and hungry all the time.

But when I walked through the door at Teresa Seaton's Burton Latimer group in 2022, something shifted. This time I wasn't just doing it for the number on the scales. I was doing it for my health, for my family, for the chance to grow old with Lee and watch our children grow up.

While I'd given up on myself before, Teresa didn’t. Having lost more than 12 stone herself, she knew every struggle I'd face, every excuse I'd make, every moment I'd want to quit. She looked at me and said she believed I could do this. And somehow, that made me believe it too.

The power of real support

Throughout my weight loss journey, Teresa intuitively knew when I was struggling. Those weeks when the scales stuck? When I wanted to throw in the towel? She'd sit with me and we'd problem-solve together. She doesn't just run a group. She creates a family. Her talks aren't lectures; they're conversations with someone who's walked in your shoes and come out the other side.

If you join one of Teresa's groups, you'll soon find yourself nodding along to her talks. They're so relatable and delivered in such an engaging way that you'll leave thinking 'Yes, I can do this!'

And we don't go around the group anymore asking for updates, so the floor is open if you want to contribute or ask questions – the choice is completely yours, so you'll never feel put on the spot. I find these sessions more beneficial. You leave each week having learned something new.

It was at halfway to target that I hit a plateau. The scales wouldn't budge. That's when Lee joined Teresa's group too, and together our determination got us to target. With the right support from your consultant and your loved ones, the road is so much smoother.

Throughout the week, Teresa's there too, turning a food crisis into motivation with a supportive message or bit of advice. It's that combination of food education, inspiration at group, and help between sessions that makes all the difference.

More than just a number

Having shed over 10 stone between us through Slimming World, we both look and feel different. Healthy. Happy. No more anxieties about GP visits – they're something to be celebrated now, not feared.

But it's the unexpected moments that really take your breath away.

I was in a local pub when I bumped into someone I hadn't seen since starting my journey. When I said ‘hi’ she looked confused and said “where do I know you from?”…then she realised it was me - her jaw literally dropped. "Emily? Is that really you?" She couldn't believe I'd dropped five clothes sizes and lost over 5 stone. That moment was worth every single Thursday at group.

I'm running 10k now and a regular at the gym. Me! The woman who preferred gin to the gym. I'm tee-total too, something I never planned. But after cutting out alcohol in the early days, I noticed improved sleep and a better mood, so it made sense to keep going. And the food choices you make after a few drinks? Let's just say my Friday nights look very different now! However, with Slimming World you can enjoy a few gins without the guilt!

One thing I never expected was the family I would gain at my Slimming World group. Lee and I always stay for group because that sense of community and support from Teresa and other members. It is the best thing about Slimming World.

We genuinely look forward to Thursday nights now. Lee's always having banter with the other guys about football, and we're all quite a witty but welcoming bunch. The programme gives you freedom and flexibility, but it's the people that keep you focused for the week ahead.

Our eight year old daughter comes with us - Teresa is very welcoming of children and puts out activities such as colouring sheets and games. Violet is part of the group now too - Teresa’s raffle drawing lady haha!

From guilt to joy: What changed on my plate

My days used to run on convenience and guilt. Buttered toast for breakfast, meal deals for lunch, and by dinner I was too exhausted to cook – hello, takeaway menu. Then I'd beat myself up while eating chocolate on the sofa.

Now? I actually enjoy my food more than ever:

Breakfast: Fruit and high-protein fat-free yogurt that tastes like dessert.

Lunch: Chicken salad, omelette with salad, or watermelon and high-protein Greek yogurt that keeps me full for hours.

Dinner: Our family loves speedy chilli con carne with cauliflower rice, or ploughman's quiche with salad – packed with speed foods and protein, easy to throw together when times tight.

Snacks: Fruit, HiFi bars (my Healthy Extra Fibre choice)

My whole family loves these meals. For me, helping my children make good food choices from an early age is just wonderful to see in action. No deprivation, just better choices.

Our speedy chilli con carne has become a family favourite – it's filling, delicious, and so quick when you're short on time. With a bit of creativity using the food optimising tools, pretty much anything can be made Slimming World friendly with sensible swaps. There's quite a bit of fun in adapting your favourite meals into something on plan and delicious.

And there's never a truer word said: if you food optimise 100%, it works 100%. Trust in the programme and you'll reap so many rewards.

The moment everything clicked

I reached target in July 2024, and I can honestly say it was a momentous achievement. Never in my adult life have I ever seen that figure on the scales, or the figure in the mirror! When you manifest those feelings of elation, the results will follow.

It doesn't feel like a diet at all. It's a lifestyle. And I never thought I would adapt my lunch breaks to fit in a 5k run! By adding exercise into my daily routine, it really boosted those losses and has helped me maintain my weight ever since.

How I maintain my success

Slimming World is a lifestyle, so I plan ahead for it. If I know I've got an event or social occasion coming up that could result in a gain, I return to strict food optimising beforehand and use my 6lb window effectively to maintain my weight.

For example, I'll have a light snack before going out to keep hunger and bad food choices at bay, and I'll have an SP Day – cutting out carbs and filling my plate with plenty of speed foods like vegetables and lots of protein to boost those losses.

With the launch of new changes including an added Healthy Extra, I've got even more flexibility to maintain my weight. I've been so determined to stay in target – I worked so hard to get that award, so I want to keep it!

Now it’s your turn

If you're in Kettering or Burton Latimer and something in my story resonates with you, come and find Teresa's group. You don't have to share if you don't want to. You don't have to be perfect. You just have to show up. That's where it all begins.

Lee and I will probably be there, laughing about something, enjoying our Thursday evening with our Slimming World family. There's a seat waiting for you too.

"Small changes lead to big results"

Be kind to yourself and take small wins where you can. This affirmation from Teresa has helped me achieve bigger goals – not to see a bad day or bad meal choice as a failure, but to set mini goals that outweigh (excuse the pun) that one blip!

"You can't keep doing the same things and expecting different results"

Whether it's alcohol, takeaways, chocolate, cheese, or another go-to that you don't measure or keep on plan, you won't get the results you want. During my journey, visiting the scales and grumbling at yet another 'maintain' made me go back to the recipe books to do something different. And exercise helps change things too.

About Teresa and her award-winning groups

In 2024, she was awarded the Up-and-Coming Consultant of the Year Award, and to date, her groups have won six diamond and eight gold awards.

Each week, Teresa hosts eight Slimming World Groups at a range of times, perfect for fitting conveniently around your weekly routine:

**Thursdays at the Cricket Club in Burton Latimer at 8am, 9.30am, 4pm, 5.30pm and 7.30pm

**Saturdays at St Andrew’s Church in Kettering at 7am, 8.30am and 10am

If you’ve been inspired to start a new healthier lifestyle, contact her on 07447 918855 for more information, including new member offers, especially her personal offer of No joining fee for the whole of January 2026.