The ‘devastating’ moment proved a turning point towards a life-changing weight loss – which she achieved naturally without the need for jabs or surgery
08:29, 22 Jan 2026Updated 08:05, 25 Jan 2026
Michelle weighed nearly 24 stone and was a size 30 before the natural weight loss journey(Image: )
A Midland mum-of-four has opened up on the ‘mortifying’ turning point that prompted her 12st weight loss as she said: “I’ve now got my life back.”
Michelle Stokes, then a size 30 weighing almost 24st, was at Alton Towers with her little ones when their CBeebies ride became stuck and started ‘sinking’ under her weight.
Determined to change her life after that moment, the 40-year-old has since managed to shed half her body weight naturally – without the need for jabs, tablets or surgery.
The Stourport-on-Severn mum, who works for the NHS full time while also raising four kids, is now a size 12, goes swimming three times a week and lives an active, healthy lifestyle. She has lost an astonishing 12st 5lbs since starting her Slimming World journey in 2019.
Hoping to inspire others, she told BirminghamLive: “I started then because I’d been to Alton Towers with my children and my two little ones at the time wanted to go to CBeebies land.
“My youngest really wanted me to go on the In the Night Garden ride, she couldn’t understand that I was scared it wouldn’t hold my weight at the time.
“They all encouraged me to go on it, but as we were going round, it gets stuck, and it was basically sinking at the back where I was sat.
Michelle struggled with her weight for most of her adult life – but has since lost over 12 stone (Image: )
“I was absolutely mortified about that, I could see the horror on my childrens’ faces, and my littlest one was crying because she wanted to continue. But the attendants had to come and get me off the ride.
“I started the week after. It was a turning point. From there, I haven’t looked back.”
Initially, it was difficult for Michelle to exercise, but she’s gradually increased her physical activity over time as she lost weight.
She had challenges with her weight since being a teenager, with struggles continuing as a busy mum working a full time job.
“I’d either skip meals, skip breakfast, or have bread, takeaways, the majority of the time, I was working and trying to look after the children,” she explained.
“I didn’t really cook healthy meals, I didn’t have the motivation or the stamina.
Michelle now after losing over 12 stone in a huge life transformation(Image: )
“We’d have to have takeaways. I’d often binge eat, so say I’d skip breakfast, I’d often nip to the petrol station and buy confectionery goods and binge on it. I’d eat more than what my body needed.
“For a long time I didn’t go out, I wasn’t doing anything or socialising. You’d never see many pictures of me because I’d always hide behind the camera, or refuse to have my photo taken.”
After seeking weight-loss advice from her uncle, who had lost 10st himself, she started Slimming World.
Being a busy mum, it would’ve been easy for her to make excuses, but instead she often took the children with her to the group – where they are “always welcome”, she stressed.
Michelle went from a size 30 to a size 12 in clothes(Image: )
Now, she goes on 5km runs, walks twice a day with the dog and can be active with her children. “They’ve given me the tools to finally break the cycle, it’s been many years, many struggles, up and down with my weight,” she said.
“My self esteem and confidence have improved, I’m able to be that role model to the children that I’ve always longed to be.
“It’s given me my life back, it’s given my children their mom back.”
Michelle before and after her astonishing weight loss journey (Image: Slimming World)
She continued: “I can take them to the park, run around after them, I can play football with my older son and him not get embarrassed by me or me not being able to keep up and getting out of breath.
“I’m a different person really. I wanted to show them that you can enjoy food and have a healthy relationship with them.
“We went on holiday last year, I was able to wear a bikini and feel confident in myself for the first time in a long time.”
Have you got a similar story to tell? Has this inspired you? We would like to hear from you. You can contact us by emailing stephanie.balloo@reachplc.com