Oura festive GLOW UPS

December 08, 2025 (Double Issue)

WOMAN - UK

Two women tell us why they have a big reason to celebrate this year

'I'VE COME SO FAR AND GOT MY LIFE BACK'

Hayley Gooding, 48, lives in Stowmarket, Suffolk

As I joined my daughter for a horse ride - something I promised her I would do once I reached my target weight - I was beaming with pride knowing that just a few years ago I could barely help her look after the horses without getting out of breath.

I'd struggled with my weight my whole adult life. It wasn’t until I had my daughters Jessie, now 21, and Jasmine, 17, that my weight felt out of control though. I'd tried to lose weight in the past, and even joined Slimming World a few times, but my heart was never in it.

It was a routine checkup with my GP that spurred me into making a change. As I heard the words 'medically obese' come from his mouth, and him telling me I was heading for a knee replacement due to my arthritis – in my 40s - I told myself something had to change.

As I looked at myself in the mirror that evening, in tears and in pain from my knees, I knew that I couldn't go on like this.

I'd come across a social media post from a friend who'd lost weight with Slimming World and she looked incredible. Seeing her look so happy and confident gave me the boost I needed to join a group myself.

After speaking to my GP, I was offered a 12-week membership to a local Slimming World group, through the OneLife Suffolk referral scheme. I remember being racked with nerves on the first night. My confidence was at its lowest and I was scared of being judged, but I was quickly reminded that I had no reason to be worried. Everyone was lovely and my Consultant put me at ease.