Lisa is a knockout after losing 10st 1lb and meeting boxing legend
A 57-year-old slimmer from Wellingborough says losing 10st 1lb has given her a new lease of life, after reaching the semi-finals of Slimming’s Worlds national Woman of the Year competition.
Lisa Lewis celebrated her achievement with double Olympic boxing champion Nicola Adams, who praised the dedication behind her success and was ‘blown away’ by her transformation.
Lisa was one of just 36 women to secure a spot at the semi-finals of Slimming World’s Woman of the Year 2026 competition, held at the organisation’s head office in Derbyshire, after losing an incredible 10st 1lb.
Lisa, who slimmed from 18st 12lbs to 8st 11lbs, earned her place in the semi-finals after fellow members of her Rushden group voted for her to represent them. She says: “Before joining Slimming World, I felt trapped by my weight. My confidence was so low, and I was constantly worrying about my weight. It affected my health and stopped me from living life the way I wanted to. I knew I wanted things to be different, I just needed the right help me get there. While weight-loss medications can be the right choice for some people, I wanted to make lasting changes to the way I eat and live, and being part of a group gave me the support and accountability I was looking for.”
“It was a wedding invitiaton, follwed by my type-2 diabetes diagnosis, that made me realise something had to change. I joined Slimming World hoping to lose weight, but I gained so much more, inculding improvements in my health and confidence – it was the best decision I’ve ever made.
“For the first time, I found an eating plan that worked with real life. I never felt deprived, and I didn’t have to give up the foods I loved. I was still enjoying meals like roast dinners and curries, but I was simply cooking them in a healthier way. I started making small, manageable swaps that soon became second nature, such as choosing leaner meat and using 1-cal cooking spray instead of oil. Seeing the results on the scales was encouraging, but when my friends and family started noticing the difference, it motivated me to keep going.”
Lisa says the support of her Slimming World group was invaluable: “There were weeks when I doubted myself – especially in the beginning – but the other members and my Consultant Leanne have been amazing. The support and encouragement I received each week gave me the confidence to keep going. I always come away with new ideas. I learned so much – not just about healthy eating, but about changing the way I think about food too.”
With her confidence growing, Lisa also embraced a more active lifestyle. She says: “Leanne often spoke about Slimming World’s activity support programme, and the importance of activity for overall health and wellbeing. And as I lost weight and became fitter, I started by going for short walks and now I love going for longer walks. I recently completed a 100-mile walk for the Childhood Eye Cancer Trust. It’s boosted my confidence and has had a postive impact on my mental wellbeing too.”
Nicola Adams, who made history as the first woman to win an Olympic boxing gold medal for Team GB, praised Lisa's achievement. She said: "The commitment and dedication it must have taken Lisa to lose 10st is remarkable. Success doesn't happen overnight, whether in sport or in life, and she’s proof of what can be achieved when you stay focused on your goal. Reaching the national semi-finals is a fantastic achievement and Lisa should feel enormously proud of how far she's come. She's proof that small steps and a positive mindset can lead to life-changing results."
Slimming World Consultant Leanne Onderka, who runs the Rushden Slimming World group says: “We know that losing weight can feel daunting, which is why having support is so important. Whether you're starting your journey for the very first time, returning to Slimming World, or looking for support alongside weight-loss medication, we'd love to welcome you to our group at Rushden & Higham Rugby Club. Give me a call on 07739 744045 to find out more."