A suspected heart attack proved to be the catalyst that sparked Kim Mattinson’s inspiring weight loss journey.
The 40-year-old tipped the scales at 20 stones and was also struggling with asthma, a family history of heart disease and diabetes.
When she had what she believed to be a heart attack it served as an alarming wake up call and she knew that she had to alter her lifestyle.
With a family history of heart disease and diabetes, she had seen first-hand the devastating impact of these conditions and did not want history to repeat itself.
Kim’s journey back to health began with weight loss programme Slimming World.
After initially losing weight with Slimming World before, she was hesitant to return to an in-person group, fearing judgment over her weight gain.
However, what she found was not shame, but encouragement and friendship. Through a combination of structured support and sustainable lifestyle changes, Kim was able to lose nearly 10 stones – reclaiming not just her health, but her future.
The mother-of-four now no longer requires heart medication, her fatty liver is completely reversed, she is no longer at risk of heart disease, has dramatically reduced her risk of type 2 diabetes and is no longer reliant on daily asthma medication.
But perhaps the most powerful statement came from her cardiologist, who told her she had effectively given herself more years of life.
For Kim, what started as a journey to better health ended with her leading her own Slimming World group in Cockermouth on Wednesday and Saturday mornings, helping others the way she was once helped.
Kim said that the UK is facing an unprecedented health crisis with obesity-related conditions on the rise and putting millions at risk.
“The UK’s obesity crisis is not just about appearance – it’s about survival,” says Kim, adding: “We need to shift the conversation away from fad diets and quick fixes and instead focus on long-term health.
“Sustainable weight loss isn’t about starving yourself or punishing your body. It’s about making informed choices, finding support, and prioritising well-being over numbers on a scale.”
According to the NHS, more than 60 per cent of adults in England are overweight or obese, linking them to some of the biggest killers including heart attacks, strokes, and cancer.
