Bedford woman loses 14 stone and celebrates reaching target after rare Club 50 award
“When you have a lot of weight to lose, it can feel overwhelming”
Having lost over half her starting body weight, Leanne is now helping Slimming World members in Bedford and Elstow work towards their own goals.
A Bedford woman is celebrating reaching her personal target weight this October after losing an incredible 14 stone over the last 20 months.
Leanne Grant achieved Slimming World’s rare Club 50 award in June, recognising the extraordinary milestone of losing half her starting body weight. She then continued her journey, reaching her target on Saturday 24 October, having now lost more than half her original weight!
Inspired by her own experience, Leanne became a Slimming World consultant in April launching her first group at Trinity Leisure on Bromham Road, and now supports members in Elstow too having launched a second group in September.
For Leanne, the transformation has brought much more than a change in clothing size. Everyday activities she once avoided have become things she looks forward to.
“Before losing weight, I would park as close as possible to wherever I was going, or avoided going out altogether” she said. “I even used to drive to the end of my road to visit the local village shop!
“Now I love getting out for walks with my dogs, enjoy Zumba and Pilates, and recently completed my first 5K event. It’s those moments that make me realise how much my life has changed.”
Walking played a big part in Leanne’s journey, alongside changes to her eating habits and the encouragement she found in her Slimming World group.
“I didn’t suddenly become someone who loved the gym,” she said. “I found activities I enjoyed and made changes I could fit into my everyday life. Having people around me who understood the journey helped me keep going, especially during the harder weeks.”
Reaching her target was an emotional moment, marking the culmination of months of commitment.
“There were tears, lots of them,” Leanne said. “Achieving Club 50 in June was already something I was incredibly proud of. To then keep going, lose 14 stone in total and reach my target feels amazing.
“When you have a lot of weight to lose, it can feel overwhelming. I couldn’t always picture myself getting here, but I kept taking the next step, one day at a time”
Her experience also inspired a new direction professionally. On 18 April 2026, Leanne stood up to lead her first Slimming World group at Trinity Leisure in Bedford. She has since taken on a second group in Elstow.
“Becoming a consultant has given me so much confidence,” she said. “It reignited my determination in my own journey, and now I get to support other people through theirs.
“I’m a member too. I understand the nerves of walking through the door, the disappointment when a week doesn’t go to plan and the excitement of achieving something you once thought was out of reach.
“I want my members to know they can come along whatever kind of week they’ve had. They don’t need to wait until they feel they’ve done well to deserve support.”
Leanne hopes sharing her story will encourage others across Bedfordshire to take their own first step.
“Twenty months ago, I was the person hoping I could do it,” she said. “Now I’m at target, and I get to help others believe they can do it too.
“You don’t have to have everything figured out before you begin. Come along, have a chat and let me help you get started.”
Leanne’s Slimming World groups meet at:
Elstow: Thursdays at 4.45pm and 6.15pm, Christian Bunyan Fellowship Church, High Street, Elstow, MK42 9XP.
Bedford: Saturdays at 8.30am, Trinity Leisure, Bromham Road, Bedford.
For more information about joining, contact Leanne on 07743301297