When she was told she had high blood pressure, Devinia Carby immediately thought of her mum – and realised that if she didn’t take action, she too would suffer an early death.
The 46-year-old council worker from Brent, London, tipped the scales at 24st 12lbs (158.1kg) when she was invited for the routine health check-up which would change her life. Standing at just 5’7″, she had a BMI of 54.7, placing her in the morbidly obese (class III) category.
She said: ‘My mind went straight to my mum, who had high blood pressure and diabetes.
‘She passed away in 2022 after a lifetime of illness and medical complications and I pictured my daughter, Nayla-Hope, caring for me the way I’d cared for my mum.
‘I couldn’t let that be her future. I realised it was time to take control and break the cycle.’
Ms Carby says that her weight got really out of hand after birth of her children Micah, now 25, Kyle, 22 and seven year old Nayla-Hope.
‘I’d spent years struggling with my weight and always felt like the biggest person in the room,’ she admitted.
Determined to lose weight, in March 2024 Ms Carby rejoined her local Slimming World group in Kensal Rise, taking with her ‘a clear purpose and a completely different mindset’.
Devinia Carby weighed 24st 12lb when she joined Slimming World
She has since lost 13 stone over two years
Slimming World isn’t a calorie-counting or points-based plan. Instead, it focuses on ‘Free Foods’ – things such as lean proteins, pasta, potatoes, fruit and vegetables, which members can eat freely without weighing or measuring – and measured daily allowances of ‘Healthy Extras’ such as cereals, wholemeal bread, or dairy.
There’s also a small allowance of treats, which can be used for the occasional chocolate or alcohol.
Ms Carby followed the eating plan closely and made sure to attend the weekly weigh-in meetings where she was able to receive encouragement and motivation from other members.
One of the tips she gleaned from her new friends was to batch cook meals on the weekend for the days ahead – which was a godsend for the busy single mum.
Ms Carby said: ‘Cooking from scratch every night felt impossible. In the past, we relied on takeaways four nights a week.
‘Being inspired by other members of my Slimming World group, I started prepping my meals in advance.
‘Now, each Sunday I batch cook meals for the week ahead with Nayla-Hope and freeze portions.’
Another tip she learnt from the group is to ‘match my meals to the weather’.
She said her weight issues began after she welcomed her first child
Ms Carby celebrates losing 9-and-a-half stones at Slimming World
She said: ‘On cold days, having a hot meal already planned stops me slipping off course.
‘Sunday roasts are a family favourite – chicken, Slimming World roast potatoes, sweet potatoes, Brussels sprouts, broccoli and cauliflower cheese from the Slimming World food range.’
Fast forward nearly two years and Ms Carby has lost a staggering 13st (82.8kg), and currently weighs 11st 12lbs (75.3kg). Her BMI is now 26, placing her at the top of the healthy weight range.
She said: ‘Losing 13 stone hasn’t just changed my life – it’s transformed my heart health and given me the chance to be the strong, healthy mum I once only dreamed of. Standing here today feels like a beautiful victory.
‘After believing for so long that losing weight was impossible, I’ve proved to myself that it isn’t.
‘My blood pressure is now in the normal range and I’m sleeping so much better.
‘I’ve gone from a size 28 to a size 12 by eating meals which don’t make me feel as if I’m missing out.
‘One of the most emotional moments was when Nayla-Hope wrapped her arms fully around me for the first time; hearing her say she could finally hug me properly brought me to tears.’
Ms Carby and her daughter Nayla-Hope, 7
Around 1.4 million people are living today after surviving a heart attack and more than 170,000 people die from heart and circulatory diseases each year.
High blood pressure, or hypertension, as it is known medically, affects a third of adults and dramatically raises the risk of heart attacks, strokes, kidney failure and even dementia.
Excess weight is a major contributing factor, yet research shows that even modest, steady weight loss can significantly reduce the risk.
Half of all strokes, a third of heart disease and a high proportion of kidney disease cases are due to high blood pressure.
Lowering your blood pressure can be achieved quite easily, by reducing your salt intake and if necessary, taking blood pressure lowering tablets which are mostly very well tolerated.
Symptoms of high blood pressure include headaches, blurred vision, chest pain, nose bleeds, according to the NHS.
Dr Pauline Swift, Chair of Blood Pressure UK said: ‘Simple improvements in diet and lifestyle such as doing more frequent, short bursts of exercise and eating more fruit and vegetables can really help keep blood pressure down.’
Devinia’s success story features in the current issue of Slimming World Magazine – available on newsstands now.
Join your local Slimming World group or sign up online for even more recipes, guidance and support. To find your nearest group, visit slimmingworld.co.uk or call 0344 897 8000
