I was diagnosed with Endometriosis at 22, but losing five stone has changed my life
A woman from Gateshead has opened up about how losing weight has changed her life.
Joanne Reavey from Wardley lost two stone with the support of Slimming World.
She was diagnosed with Endometriosis at 22 and reached a top weight of 18 stone, but has seen a dramatic shift in her life since losing weight.
“If menopause were an Olympic sport, I’d have won gold in hot flashes and mood swings” jokes Joanne.
She adds: “I had been a ticking hormonal time bomb since my diagnosis of Endometriosis at age 22. With numerous treatments over the years, which included several IVF courses, I was perimenopausal in my late 30’s.
“By the time I was early 40’s, I was a flushing, aching, tired, hormonal mess that couldn’t sleep properly, walked round in huge t-shirts to hide my 18 stone size and despised being in photos.
Heading to Slimming World sessions saw a major shift. Joanne adds: “It was a nervous and educational first week trying to navigate the new eating habits but I lost 4 and a half pounds at my first weigh in. I was so happy!
“I love the encouragement and support we all give each other and listen to all the recipes and ideas my fellow members have. We’re all there for the same reason. Staying at the group sessions has helped me with my mindset and behaviour changes around food, what I eat and why I go for certain foods.
“As I approached my first target of a 4 stone loss, I adjusted it to 5 stone and achieved this in July 2025. After a summer of relaxing, I decided to go for a new target of 6 stone 2 lbs which would take me to a comfortable 11 and a half stone.
“I feel great now, I finally wear clothes that fit rather than wearing to hide my size. My flushes have eased off and as I’ve continued with my active lifestyle through my swimming, my joints are not as stiff as they were. My mental health has improved, and I feel much better and happier with myself.”