**Chef Sheds 12 Stone After Ditching Takeaways and Embracing Healthy Living**
A chef from Wales has transformed her life after shedding an incredible 12 stone in just nine months, all thanks to one significant lifestyle change: saying goodbye to daily takeaways.
Jasmin Harman, who works as a head chef in a dementia care facility, had struggled with her weight for most of her life. As a schoolgirl, Jasmin faced relentless bullying for her size and carried those scars well into adulthood. Her demanding career in the kitchen meant she often finished long shifts too exhausted to prepare her own meals, opting instead for convenient, cheap fast food night after night. Gradually, her weight crept up to 21 stone and 11 pounds.
The turning point came as Jasmin approached her 30th birthday. On a morning like any other, she caught her reflection in the mirror and was overwhelmed with shame. “I was about to hit thirty and just thought, how did it come to this?” she recalled, sharing how this moment of self-reflection provided a catalyst for change.
There were also emotional and practical motivations fueling her desire for transformation. Jasmin had long wished to start a family with her partner. However, after extensive medical tests and a diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), she was told that her Body Mass Index (BMI) was too high to receive fertility assistance. Hospitals were unsupportive, Jasmin felt, focusing only on her weight rather than offering more holistic support. This left her determined to make a change on her own terms.
Seeking support, Jasmin was encouraged by her aunt to join a local Slimming World group. Embracing the new regime, she swapped processed, ‘beige’ foods for wholesome, home-cooked alternatives, drawing on her culinary skills from work. In the initial weeks, she simply followed the group’s healthy eating plan. After building confidence and seeing early results, she began to incorporate regular exercise into her routine, including activities she once would have shied away from.
“I’ve always loved dancing but felt too self-conscious about my size,” Jasmin admitted. However, her growing confidence saw her fall in love with Zumba, a high-energy, fun way to keep fit that she says doesn’t even feel like exercise. With each week, the pounds began to drop off, and Jasmin saw her dress size plummet from a UK 26 to a slim 10.
Jasmin’s approach to food changed dramatically. Previously, she would skip breakfast and graze on crisps or sausage rolls at lunchtime, before ordering fast food for dinner—often enough to “feed a family”. Today, her mornings start with healthy overnight oats, lunches are mostly salads and yoghurts, while dinner is a nutritious take on familiar favourites or protein-rich meals inspired by Slimming World.
Exercise also became a fixture in her weekly routine. Now, Jasmin incorporates at least eight hours of movement each week, splitting her time between gym sessions, dog walks, and tending to her horse. She credits these activities not only for helping her maintain her new weight, but also for providing essential mental wellbeing boosts—choosing a workout or a walk over raiding the kitchen when life becomes overwhelming.
Jasmin’s journey has brought about benefits beyond the numbers on the scales. Shopping for clothes is no longer a struggle, and she enjoys being able to browse the rails in high street stores like others her age. “I walk around with confidence and self-worth now,” she shared. “It’s completely transformed my life—I’m no longer hiding or avoiding people.”
Reflecting on her achievements, Jasmin encourages others to seek community and support if they’re facing similar challenges. Her Slimming World consultant, Rachel, described her as “an inspiration” to all fellow members, praising her perseverance and the positive impact on the group.
Jasmin now looks to the future with optimism, determined to lead a healthy, active life and perhaps fulfil that dream of starting a family. Her story is a powerful reminder of the far-reaching impact that even a single, determined lifestyle change can have, offering hope to anyone struggling with weight and self-image.
As stories like Jasmin’s reveal, personal transformation is as much about mental resilience as physical effort, and success is often built on the support of those around us.