A woman who lost 18 stone without using weight loss drugs or surgery has been named Slimming World’s Woman of the Year 2025.
Claire Kane, from Airdrie, Scotland, dreamed of starting a family – but her 29st 5lb frame affected her fertility options, along with her health.
Everyday, the 40-year-old would sit in front of the TV and gorge on a family-sized chocolate bar, crisps, biscuits and frozen food, leading to her piling on the excess pounds.
‘I married my husband, Aaron, in 2009. I was happy, but I kept gaining weight,’ she recalled. ‘At almost 30st, I could barely walk 200 metres without feeling out of breath. We longed for a family, but it just wasn’t happening for us.’
Claire spent seven years infertile, caused by Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and endometriosis. She then joined Slimming World with the goal of shedding the weight to qualify for IVF.
But after nine months, Claire lost eight stone and managed to fall pregnant naturally. ‘I couldn’t believe it. Aaron and I had waited years for this moment – we were overjoyed,’ she revealed.
However, her progress was knocked back after a family death, and she gained some of the weight once again. In 2022, she decided to return to Slimming World and ended up losing 18 stone in less than three years.
Now weighing in at 10 stone, Claire said she is ecstatic to be healthy enough to run and swim with her two children.
Claire Kane (pictured before her weight loss), from Airdrie, Scotland, dreamed of starting a family, but her 29st 5lb frame affected her health and limited her fertility options
As of July 1 this year, Claire (pictured recently) has shed 18 stone and reached her target weight of 10 stone, leading to her being crowned Slimming World’s Woman of the Year
‘Last year we went to Disney World. I walked 20,000 steps a day and went on every ride without worrying if I’d fit,’ she said.
Claire’s weight loss initially faced a setback when she lost her father to cancer. Filled with grief, she resorted to her old eating habits while taking care of her newborn, Olivia, now nine.
Four years later, she then had her second miracle child, Sophie, now five, in 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic hit.
Claire, who works in banking, said: ‘With a toddler, a baby and Aaron working as a key worker, life felt overwhelming.
‘I turned to convenience foods, and the weight piled on. I was terrified I was killing myself. I couldn’t join in playing at the park with the girls and I wasn’t the mum I wanted to be for them.’
This prompted her to resume her fat loss journey, and she returned to Slimming World in August 2022, eager to slim down for her children.
After attending the sessions every week, which she calls a ‘game-changer’, the mother-of-two was able to achieve her goal weight of 10 stone in less than three years.
After shedding an incredible 18 stone, Claire now prioritises eating a healthy, balanced diet full of fruits, yoghurt and protein, cutting down her chocolate intake to just one small bar daily.
Claire’s weight loss initially faced a setback when she lost her father to cancer, but she returned to Slimming World in August 2022, eager to make a change . Pictured left, Claire before her weight loss journey
Now, Claire, who works in banking, is ecstatic to be able to keep up with her two young girls and has since ran 10ks for Race for Life
She said: ‘Before I would start the day with sugary cereal, have a package sandwich for lunch and end it with anything I could find in the freezer, like frozen nuggets and chips,’ she said.
‘Then I’d sit in front of the TV at night, snacking on chocolate and crisps. Now I focus on satisfying family meals and prioritise protein that keeps me fuller for longer.
‘The plan and the conversations we had in my Slimming World group helped me to understand my habits around food, and I learned how to incorporate all my favourites in a healthy, sustainable way.’
Although she claimed to have tried other diets, Claire, who is 5ft 6in, said nothing stuck.
‘Walking into the group was daunting; I thought everyone would be judging my size, but I was welcomed with open arms,’ she said. ‘When my Consultant explained the plan, it felt realistic and achievable – something just clicked.’
The Scot is now living the life she dreamt of more than a decade ago and is thrilled that she is able to keep up with her two young girls.
She said: ‘My proudest achievement, though, is my beautiful children. At my biggest, I almost lost hope of having a family. Now, I’m giving them a healthy, happy future and I’ll be here to enjoy it.’
Although she initially found the thought of working out ‘daunting’, the mother slowly built up her ability to exercise and now uses gym equipment at home on her lunch break.
After shedding eight stone the first time, Claire (pictured recently) – who was considering IVF to start a family – was able to conceive two miracle children
She sees moving her body as a part of her ‘everyday life’ and has since taken part in several challenges, including running in her local 10k Race for Life.
Claire said she and her group would share recipes and help each other tackle challenges, along with celebrating ‘every milestone’.
After losing 18 stone and winning Slimming World’s Woman of the Year, she said: ‘If you’d told me at almost 30 stone that I’d be here, I’d never have believed you.
‘People ask if I used weight-loss drugs or surgery, which I would’ve qualified for, but they always terrified me. I’m always proud to say I did it with Slimming World – it’s been one hell of a journey.’
Claire hopes her story will inspire others who feel the same way she once did, adding: ‘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.’
