Sharon Pitkethly, a 54-year-old mother and full-time carer, successfully transformed her life by shedding more than half her body weight after experiencing a house fire and the tragic death of her sister. Standing at 5ft 11in, Sharon reached her heaviest weight of 26st 12lb (170.5kg) and wore size 32 clothing in 2015, trapped in a cycle of depression, anxiety, and overeating.
In the same year, a fire engulfed her home, providing her with a new outlook on life and serving as a catalyst for change. Over the next eight years, she lost a total of seven stone 4lb (46.2kg) with the help of WeightWatchers, although she struggled with consistency due to old habits like excessive snacking.
After her sister’s passing in 2023, Sharon decided to honor her memory by committing fully to her weight loss journey. Through continued dedication to WeightWatchers, she shed another 6st 8lb (41.7kg), totaling a weight loss of nearly 14st. She has revamped her eating habits and adopted regular swimming sessions, leading to her current weight of 13st (82.5kg) and fitting into size 16 clothes, feeling rejuvenated and confident.
Living in Newcastle with her husband Dean, Sharon expressed that she sees her sister in the mirror and has made the weight loss journey as a tribute to her. The tragic events in her life motivated her to stay on track, and she now feels proud of the progress she has made.
In 2015, Sharon weighed 26st 12lb, wore size 32 clothes, and struggled with a BMI of 52.4, despite fluctuating around 23st for most of her adult life. Despite intermittent attempts with WeightWatchers, battling depression and anxiety created a challenging cycle for Sharon.
Sharon’s daily diet used to consist of unhealthy foods like buttered crumpets, crisps, sandwiches, and large portions of Bolognese, coupled with excessive snacking on crisps and chocolate. These habits led her to feel like she was letting her children down and missing out on family activities.
Following the house fire in 2015, which caused significant damage, Sharon’s focus shifted towards a healthier lifestyle. Despite struggles with consistency, she managed to lose 7st 4lb by the end of 2023, dropping four dress sizes and reaching a weight of 19st 8lb.
Her sister’s untimely death in 2023 spurred Sharon to join a new WeightWatchers group, leading to an additional weight loss of 6st 8lb. She now weighs 13st (82.5kg) and has embraced a healthier approach to eating, no longer feeling the urge to overeat or snack mindlessly.
Sharon emphasized the importance of the support she received from WeightWatchers and how it has been instrumental in her transformation. She now enjoys activities like swimming and going to the gym, feeling like a new and confident person, and encouraging others to embark on a similar journey.
Overall, Sharon’s inspiring story showcases the power of determination and resilience in overcoming obstacles to achieve significant weight loss and improve overall well-being.