289: This Time I've Done It!

Introduction

0:00Oh, good day, good morning, good afternoon, good evening, whatever time of the day it is, we hope that you're well. Welcome to Slim World Podcast. I'm Claire and with me is... Hello, I'm Anna. Hello, I'm Anna. That sounded very posh, didn't it?

0:30It's Anna. They all know who co-hosts with you, hopefully by now. It's Anna of the Mangan. Anna of the Mangan, Claire of the Savory. We're delighted for you to join us. And we know in summer, it feels like your attention has been pulled from here to there. There's that many social calendars and holidays and, I don't know, small people screaming in the garden that you have to tame now and again, that we appreciate your time and your commitment to dial in and keep on top of

1:00the podcast. Now today, an episode that you may want to bookmark, share to a friend, send to maybe a fellow member that you know hasn't been to group in a while, because this one is going to make you think. How many times, Anna, have we been in that situation where we've lapsed, we've had to rejoin, then we come back maybe with guilt. We have that heaviness of maybe feeling like we've let people down or we've let ourself down. I mean, man, we've both been there, haven't we?

1:33We could write a book about it, couldn't we? We've been there, got the t-shirt. I mean, we've made a podcast out of it. We've been there, really, really have. That was our life for a long time, wasn't it? And now we've trudged through that and we're through the other side. But yeah, definitely identify with everything you just said. Yeah. And we know we're not alone. I mean, one of the main reasons that we started this podcast, I mean, certainly from my point of view, is partly to hold myself accountable, although I didn't quite realise that's what it would be. Would be to later. Yeah. But also to meet and chat with people who have been through this and have the opportunity,

2:08those really intimate, vulnerable conversations about how did you do it? How did you get through this? And we're really delighted to have a very special guest today, one who we've been following from afar for a very long time, Jo Diamond of Skeg Nestland, Slimming World Consultant, award winner extraordinaire. How are you, Jo? I'm really good, thank you. And thank you so much for inviting me today. This is such an honour,

2:40it really is. Oh, we're so excited to have you. You know, I think we should maybe recap like just present day and then maybe we'll kind of like roll the clock back if that's okay. I think we need to set up that some exciting news turned up for the books for you that you were named Slimming World Group of the Year. Tell us about this. Oh, my goodness. It's just, I still cannot believe it. Because my members are just truly

3:12incredible. And when I received the phone call from my manager, Sarah, who's amazing, by the way, that we were in the top five for Group of the Year, it just blew my mind because I never thought it would be possible if that makes sense. But my members, they're just incredible. So I was told as in the top five. And then we got to go to Florence on the Grand Accumulator holiday, where I got to meet the other four. And they're just purely beautiful. And they're now like

3:47my best friends, like a comfort blanket family. And we just got on so, so well. So for me, I was just so proud to be in the top five. And then of course, on the nights, we got to go on the stage, we were huddled together. And then to hear that Skegness had won, my incredible members was just, yeah, I'm lost for words, blown away completely. Because I just didn't expect it.

4:18There's the most amazing photo of you, isn't there? When you're announced and the look on your face is like you've won the lottery. And there's been an explosion all at the same time. You just saw your utter disbelief. It's such a beautiful photograph. Even now, I really can't believe it. And I did actually say to my husband, Ian, that was the best moment of my life ever. You know, best moment ever. Just, just remembers to achieve that. Oh, I mean, what does it mean as a consultant to be recognised? How long have you

4:54been a consultant for, by the way? And how many groups do you have? I've been a consultant now for nine years. And I just run group as trained, you know, your sessions can be so, so, different, dependent on your members' needs. But I love that. I really do. You know, it's such a friendly place. It's like a home from home, isn't it, really, group? Members can just be themselves. And yeah, just incredible. So nine years. It's the award as a consultant. We're all like, I would love that. But I don't know. I've got what

5:30it takes. And we all kind of really secretly or openly want it. But the work, Joe is being very modest, but the work, the courage, the tenacity, the, the hours that it takes to get your group to be that excellent that you become group of the year. It has, it is astounding. It is something I see so far off, but you must put your heart and soul into it every single day. I do. I really do. Because when we relaunched in Skegness and opened those doors following

6:02COVID, I think had about 22 lovely members come through. And I was so, so proud of them because it can take so much courage to walk through those doors. And just to see them coming to my group, it was like, wow. And then over the years, being able to build up and just help and support those members. It's just incredible. It really is. I mean, every consultant has their own story as well, which is how I guess you've led, you know,

6:33taking that journey from member to consultant. And the inspiration of your own story must have great influence on your members to do so well and to be a part of your community. I mean, you are very open on your social media about your journey, the ups, the downs, the every part about being a member and being a consultant. And that's something that I know so many people follow from afar, us included. You put a post, I can't remember when it was, maybe it was a few weeks

7:12ago or a couple of months ago. I've forgotten the exact time, but you put some photos about where you were at a couple of years ago. And there was a big moment of clarity for you, wasn't there? I don't want to kind of spoil the story, but can you kind of, do you know which post I mean and what story I mean by me giving that? I do. Yes, because originally, before I become a consultant, I'd lost 12 and a half 13 stone. And I managed to remain in my bubble for a few years. But then things happen. And over time, I started to

7:48gain weight. And then it was only about two years ago, 18 months, two years ago, I, I was in such a bad place. And I'd stopped being a member, hence I spiralled so much. But I was still a consultant. And I'd actually gained five stone, five and a half stone back of my original 12 and a half stone loss. So and I was in such a bad place. And I'd gone on training, which was absolutely incredible. And Lynn, the trainer, she made me

8:24realize it wasn't my fault. I was human. And sometimes this can happen. But I knew I had to bring in changes. Because as a consultant, I was beginning to struggle to stand up in front of my members, giving them all the help, support and love and understanding, when I'd spiralled so far myself. So after being on training, I realized what what what kind of works for me is to return as a member. And so I went back as a member. And I'm so glad I did because I was able to

9:03surround myself with people that understood people that get it. And just Yeah, just completely get it. So I went back as a member. And then took me a year to lose that five and a half stone. And then I reached my target. But it changed me immensely as a consultant. It made me fall back in love with Slimming World, food optimising. But more importantly, I feel like I've got my life back. And then I went back to the role. It made me understand what all my members went through every single week.

9:36The journey is never ever easy. But it made me realize what my members went through those weeks, they didn't want to attend. Those weeks they were scared of gaining. And of course, there's never any shame. And again, it is all part of the journey. I love Slimming World, food optimising. But more importantly, I feel like I've got my life back. I've gone home. And it's just, you know, the best feeling ever. I just feel like I'm me again. It takes so much courage there. You know, I was in a similar position where I gained all my weight back and had to lose it again.

10:11And I remember that feeling of shame and guilt of embarrassment, walking in through the door. And then you get there and you go, oh, I don't need to feel that way. Like, it's OK. Like that acceptance. I remember my shoulders being up like that and then just relaxing down and being like, these people get it. They get that I used to eat 16 bars of chocolate a day. They're not going to judge me. Do you think lifting that burden allowed you to just then kind of take back control as well once you lost that? Definitely, definitely. You know, it just took away all the guilt and just to surround yourself with people that actually understood.

10:47You know, there is going to be times on our journey we do struggle and that is OK. But with the group support, we can get through this. You know, there is going to be times we need to draw that line and that is OK. But with coming to group each week, we can do that and move forward into a fresh new week. So that even that phrase about you're just human, it feels so topical, especially in the social media world at the moment.

11:18You know, there's been some pushback, hasn't there, on certain kind of influencers talking about how everything needs to be efficient and we need to do more, be more, calculate everything, you know, log all of our fitness minutes, log all of our calories and then perfectly balance everything so we're the absolutely most efficient that we can be to be the best in the world. And it's really interesting how so many people have just pushed back on that and that we're not machines. We are human. We have emotions and these go up and down.

11:52Sometimes you can feel sadness and happiness at the same time. Like, that's not how, like, robots operate. And the idea about being human, I think, is really a core part of, like, that community that you get with Slimming World. In just that simple, as you tell your truth, as the kids say, and just have someone across the group nodding their head, it feels like, OK, I feel safe, I feel understood, and I feel I belong.

12:25And they're, like, really core human things, aren't they? I mean, that sense of community within your groups and also the group that you went to in your member, Jo, what does community mean for you when you think about it from a member point of view? I think it's the understanding, isn't it, and you're not on your own, that other people are going through the same. For example, if I want chocolate, then yes, you can have chocolate. And you haven't got anyone in the room going, oh, my goodness me, she's eating chocolate, because people get it, they understand.

13:01It's that lack of judgment, isn't it? Because when you are struggling with your weight, you feel, I felt, and I know a lot of people do, felt judged at every turn. But then you can walk into a Slimming World group and someone totally goes, right, we're here, we get it, we've all done these things, let's help you move past it. I think, you know, you know what you're saying about the chocolate, it's also that idea of you can do different things. And you said you had to make some real big life changes, didn't you? It's like the people around you, the consultant and the members, help you to understand yourself about the changes you have to make.

13:32Because it's a real journey of discovery and learning, don't you think? It is, isn't it? And isn't it crazy? Because if you say to yourself, oh, I really want chocolate, and as soon as you say, you can't have that chocolate, you'll eat the biggest bar going. But we know we can bring those swips in, and we can enjoy chocolate, and we remain in control. And most of the time, because you don't tell yourself you can have something, you then don't want it. Yeah. It's bizarre. It's like I say I'm like a rebellious 14-year-old, so I have to give myself permission so that naughty, crazy 14-year-old Anna doesn't rear her ugly head.

14:08Because it is that, you know, that understanding yourself that group gives you, doesn't it? And understanding how you're liable to behave so you can protect yourself. To have gone back into a group as a member, though, being a consultant can be a really difficult hat to switch, can't it? I know I'm a member of the amazing virtual groups that we have for consultants. And just going in and just putting my armour down and being like, I'm Anna Mangan today. I'm not Anna Slimming World Consultant, podcast host, all of those things. How did you find that transition and allowing that acceptance into your journey again?

14:41I made sure I found a group where they didn't know me as a consultant. So I was able to go back as a member. And it was really bizarre walking through those doors, even though I'd been a consultant, what, seven and a half years at the time? Seven years? Walking through those doors. I felt so nervous. But as soon as I walked through those doors and sat down, another star to come over and say, hello, you'll be okay? The kitchen's through there. I absolutely felt at home. I really did.

15:11And it was just so good to just peel back those layers and just return as a member as well. Yeah, really important. What were the changes? You said that you realised you needed to make some changes in your life. What were those changes, just to perhaps give us an insight, really, as to what it took? I had to remove all the pressure from myself. I had to stop saying to myself, you're a failure. You're stupid. You're an idiot. What are you doing that for? I had to remove all that negativity and realise that it's not going to be a quick journey.

15:47On average, we lose one to two pounds per week. You know, it's not going to happen overnight, but I've got to make it exciting. You know, instead of home takeaways, we've got to try new ideas, brand new recipe ideas and just keep it exciting. And actually, you can follow food optimising wherever you are, seven days a week, even on holidays. So I was that person who'd go away for the weekend. But as you lose the weight, you start to feel more confident about yourself.

16:19And that gives you the motivation to carry on as well. And also the thought of losing five, five and a half stone again. That was scary. But by breaking it down and focusing on that half stone award, and then when you get the half stone award, focus on the stone award. Time goes so quickly. Wow. It really does. You said something there that actually, I think, is a real springboard. You can food optimise anywhere and seven days a week. And it's just that choice of, do you want to?

16:49I'll never forget, we went to Florida and I took my fry light. And my husband looked at me like, are you all right? And I was like, no, no, no. This is me making the marked stand that I am going to do my very best to keep in control. And having that fry light in my suitcase really, really helped me. But it's knowing that food optimising gives you that ability, doesn't it? You don't have to stop living to lose weight because so many people, and I've done it before, my life stopped. I got very slim, but then I couldn't have a life and be slim and eat the way I wanted

17:19to. So it's all about creating those habits that are lasting, aren't they? Hell yeah. Imagine if that fry light leaked in your suitcase. Oh man, it would stink. Double bagged it and then gaffer taped it because there was no way it was getting over me nice flip flops, Claire. Oh, like the lid would fall off and something lean on it and then it'd be moist. You'd have a slightly moist pant. My worry was more like an explosion on the plane and then having to stop the plane and being like, Mrs Mangan in B-34, exploding fry light in your case.

17:51So I was just glad when I got there. I wasn't searched at customs and the plane didn't explode. But it was my mark of food optimising in Florida. So what did you do with it? So I would literally, we did self-catering. So I just cooked my breakfast with it. You know, if we wanted something and we were at the apartment, it gave me the opportunity. But it was also like a signal of you are still a Slimming World member, sister. Just because everything comes in kilo-like servings does not mean you need to eat your body weight and sugar on fat. You are a Slimming World member.

18:22It really helped me. I came back with Maintain from Florida. Two weeks in Florida. Maintain. And I wouldn't have done that if that. And I brought the Fry Light back. I wasn't leaving it, by the way. It came back in the suitcase. I mean, can I just say that other low-calorie sprays are available. We are not sponsored by Fry Light. Wouldn't it be nice if we were? Yeah. Send us a bottle. Love the garlic one. Anyway. But it's those... Oh, the garlic one in the suitcase wouldn't go down well at all, would it? Can you imagine if that got on your thonged flip-flops?

18:52Oh, you'd have a sweaty garlic toe, wouldn't you? It wouldn't be good. That's definitely going on Instagram. That whole section. Anna's face. You need to go onto Instagram and watch Anna's face on that. I'm sweating now. But no, what I'm trying to say is what Joe said.

Food Optimizing

19:08You can food optimise through anything when you choose to. And that was a very elaborate way of me agreeing with Joe. Okay. Now you've got visions. Without the garlic sweaty toe. Fry Light, yeah. Do you have any of this nonsense in Skegness, Joe? Are people a bit more behaved in Skegness as Slimming World members? They're just themselves. And I love it because every single session is entirely different. And I just love it because they can just be themselves. They can just say what they want.

19:39It's wonderful. And just the way they help and support each other. Yeah. I mean, this idea about making it fun. You know, we're here having a giggle. And I think so many people, maybe people even listen to this thinking about joining Slimming World or thinking about starting a process of losing weight. It gets very serious. It gets very insular. It's all in your head. You're scared to kind of say out loud what you're thinking. And here we are just trying to find a way to just lean into this and be ourselves and relax

20:10and just take one step at a time. You don't have to know all the steps to begin. Just know where you start. But that's often the best bit, isn't it?

20:21It's knowing you don't have to have the answers as well, isn't it? Like you said, Claire, you don't have to know the steps. You don't have to have the answers yourself. Knowing that there are other people there to help and support you. Find your answers is really important too. But that knowing that you don't have to be perfect along the journey. Yeah. I mean, we've called the episode This Time I've Done It because something feels like it's shifted for you. I get the feeling, Jo, that this time feels different. Have I got that right? Yeah, it does.

20:51Entirely different. And when I reached my target, it was just the best feeling ever. I remember going into my group as a member and I said to the consultant, I think I've reached my target. They just burst into tears. And then it was my turn to get weighed. And I was like crying, I was like, oh, really, just crying away. And a few members come and said, Jo, watch one, whatever the game is, you'll be fine. I mean, I've reached my target. And it was just the most incredible experience ever.

21:26And then straight afterwards, I did it live into my Facebook group, my members' private page, to let them know. And it was just the most incredible experience ever, it really was. Because the journey is never, ever easy. But, oh my goodness, if you've got the help and the support, it is totally worth it. It really is. What did getting to target mean for you? Because Claire and I have often discussed, like, is there a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow? Like, what does life look like when you get to target?

21:57Because a lot of us have had an expectation that getting to target means, I'm going, I'm going back to eating and drinking. Like, and then you have to accept, no, no, no, I'm still staying in this place. What's it meant for you, Jo? For me, it meant my health had improved.

22:15For me, it meant I could continue doing what I love most as a consultant. Because I got my love back. And for me, it really felt like I'd just come home. It's like you've been away from home for, I'm going to get emotional in a minute. It's like you've been away from home for so, so long. And you walk through that door and it's like, I'm now home. That's confidence. It's just the most incredible feeling ever. To walk, I don't know, to walk down the road full of confidence without having to walk sideways

22:50or not leaving the house because you don't want anybody to see you. Too scared to be out in public.

22:58There's so many positives. There really, really is. Even like taking the dogs out, walking further. And, you know, you don't mind who you bump into. Summer months, wearing summer dresses, going shopping, without feeling like you have to be the one covered up all the time because you don't want anybody to see you. When I walked into group as a member in like a summer top, it was like, wow, and it just felt so good.

23:29But it really is just like coming home. Best feeling ever. And I think because this is the second time round I've done this, it's meant more to me the first time round. I don't think I actually understood what Target was about. But to get back there, oh my goodness me, incredible feeling. I mean, next week actually we're doing a special members episode which is going to be talking about Slim for Life

24:00and what Target looks like for Slim and World members because once you reach Target, the support doesn't end there. That Target members are still welcome in group. They are still able to be an online member. And there are different routes in how that kind of works. Maybe there are some slight different changes to the plan. I'm not sure if I'm wording that right, Anna, but it's still the plan. Yeah, the plan doesn't change. You just get a bit more flexibility so that you can live your life in your beautiful Target bubble.

24:32And it's all about creating those long-lasting habits because that's what we know Target needs for you to be there, stay there and enjoy it. It's sustainable habits. So, yeah, the party doesn't stop once the Target bus pulls in. We are there, aren't we, Jo? We are celebrating them. We are there to help and support them and keep them in that beautiful bubble, whether it's a Target member that comes every week or once every year. They are still part of the Slim and World family. And I'm sure, Jo, like for me, they are the backbone of my groups.

25:02Like, without my Target members, I love my Target members in group because they are the face of inspiration, the face of ideas. They are always the ones that come out with those pearls of wisdom when you are struggling that are like, I was in that place, but look what I've done. Do you find that, Jo in group? I do. They're such experts. They really, really are. In my choose-out, 35 Target members. And majority of them do say, and I love it, because they've done the journey of losing weight and now they're maintaining beautifully.

25:34And quite a few of them have been for quite a few years. And they've got so much experience, so much knowledge, top tips. They really are our experts in group. And just the way they help others as well is just, like, just fantastic. I also think as a new member, what really helped me when I walked in was to see the longevity. So to look at a room that had people who had lost weight and kept it off, rather than, like, this cycle of new members constantly being there,

26:04seeing people that had done it and wanted to stay and wanted to be there, to me, was so inspiring because it was like, oh, this works, and they like it. Do you know what I mean? That really gave me confidence in the plan and in Slimming World as a whole.

26:19Definitely. Oh, well, I mean, this has given us lots to think about. And, I mean, what's next for you, Jo? Have you got, like, the big goals that you're working to? Are you going to... Everyone seems to want to, I don't know, become a marathon runner these days. But, I mean... Not me! Yeah. Not going to happen! Yeah. I mean, you could give us an alternative. What are you... Are you working on anything? Or are you just happy being where you're at in life? To be honest with you, I'm just really, really happy with what I've got in life.

26:52I've got a really, really good balance because, of course, I've got my consultant role. I get to see my members every week, and I get to help and support them as well. And just seeing the changes they make as well. Every single time you give out that award, just the way the members change their lives around, to me, that's just everything. So incredible. And I've got good balance. I've got family time as well, holidays. So I think I'm just quite happy just to carry on doing what I'm doing.

27:25She's at the top of the tree right now. She is just swinging, like, you know, in those beautiful leaves, like, group of the year is just... I really can't say. It's just absolutely... You should be so proud of yourself because the work and determination that takes is really incredible. It really is. Thank you. I'm still in shock because it's only been, what, two weeks? And, yeah, I'm still in shock because it's just absolutely incredible. It is.

27:56It's amazing. Enjoy. What a 2026 it's turned out to be. And, hey, Jo, it's not even over yet. It could be... Who knows? Do they say it comes in threes? What's your third one going to be? Win the lottery? Who knows? Who knows? Lucky dip. Go on, get a lucky dip on on the weekend. And by the time, you know, we next hear from you, you should be like, I won 14 million as well, Jo. Oh, my goodness. That would be a good holiday.

28:27But I just really, really cannot believe how much my life has changed ever since going on that training, 18 months. You know, how much has actually changed? If somebody told me then, because we've got so many awards us consultants can achieve, and I remember going on the training, and then three months later, my manager phoned me up. Sarah said, Jo, did you know you've actually achieved gold? I'm like, oh, have I? That's wonderful.

28:58You didn't know. So to get gold is really hard work. I won't go into the inner workings, but the fact that you knew you didn't know means that's how good a consultant you are. No, no, no. Honestly, I just didn't know, and then gold again. And then when I stood on the stage to receive gold last year, I saw people achieving diamond. I'm thinking, oh, what's diamond? I need to go back and research this. And I made a dream. My dream would be to return to the stage at Target to achieve my member's diamond award.

29:32And then to return to the stage, get the diamond, Target, and then, of course. Yeah. Well, I think you're going to need a bigger mantelpiece. That's what we've learned today. Yes. And smaller clothes, by the sound of things. Smaller clothes. Small clothes. All that wardrobe space you can clear and just put all your awards in. My member's awards, just beautiful. Yeah. Well, look, it's been so lovely to speak to you, Jo. We'd love to share. Can we share that photo of you when you get told? We'll put that on our Instagram at Summer World Podcast because that's a great moment

30:05to capture this raw emotion, which is what this is about. This is about what being human is, isn't it? It's the surprises. It is the ups. It is the downs. It's all of this. But that makes us kind of be who we are. And it sounds like you're just on fire, Jo. Thank you for being an inspiration, not only to your members, whether that be as a member yourself or as a consultant, but also for our listeners. We really appreciate it. Thank you so, so much.

30:36And thank you for inviting me on here as well. Big thanks. Yeah. Well, Anna, yeah, next week we're talking about Slim for Life, aren't we? Which will be really fascinating. It's going to be a members-only episode, so it will be available next Friday. Today, our members episodes are available on Friday. That is one, two, Saturday, Sunday, Monday, three days before public, get it? She has to get her fingers out to count. No, because I was like, is it four days or is it three days? No, it just made me laugh because I do that all the time.

31:08And Daisy's nine and she's like, mummy, you don't need your fingers. You can do it in your head. We clearly need our fingers to count, Daisy. I'm 45 and I'll be using them to the day I'm no longer here. Anyway, so that is coming out and I know me and Anna are really keen to kind of really find out more resources for Target members because we know it's one of the big things that people ask. A, what to expect when you finally reach your Target weight. And for people who are at Target, who are shifting into that slightly different mindset, what support is there for Simba World members?

31:42Some really exciting news about that. Yes. Now then, off you pop. Have a jolly good summer holiday break. We'll be back, like we say, next week. Stay cool. Stay... Safe. Safe. Say what else? Stay food-optimizing, people. Think free food. And take your fry light with you wherever you go. Seriously, wherever you can get it, don't put in your hand luggage because it's over 100ml, but definitely in the suitcase, double bagged, you won't regret it.

32:13You heard it here first. Goodbye. Bye for now. Bye for now.

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