A mother who previously weighed nearly 27 stone successfully shed more than half of her body weight following the passing of her sister and a traumatic house fire, which motivated her to make significant lifestyle changes.
Sharon Pitkethly, a 54-year-old full-time carer standing at 5ft 11in tall, reached her heaviest weight of 26st 12lb (170.5kg) in 2015, wearing a size 32. Battling a cycle of depression, anxiety, and overeating, she experienced two pivotal events that prompted her to overhaul her habits. In 2015, a fire broke out in her home, leading her to reassess her life. Over the next eight years, she managed to lose seven stone 4lb (46.2kg) with the help of WeightWatchers, although occasional relapses into old eating patterns occurred. In 2023, her weight loss journey took on new meaning after the loss of her sister, spurring her to fully commit to her transformation in her sister’s memory.
Since then, Sharon has shed an additional 6st 8lb (41.7kg) through WeightWatchers and adopted a regular swimming routine. She now weighs 13st (82.5kg), fits into a size 16, and feels like a rejuvenated individual. Living in Newcastle upon Tyne with her husband, Dean, 60, Sharon expressed, “Every time I look in the mirror, I see my sister, and though she’s gone, her spirit remains with me. I did this for her… and I believe she would be proud of me.”
Recalling her struggles with weight, Sharon, who previously had a BMI of 52.4, shared, “Anxiety and depression led me to overeat, and this vicious cycle persisted for years. I would start diets, only to abandon them due to various triggers, causing me to gain more weight each time.”
“I felt like I was letting my children down; we would go to amusement parks, but I couldn’t join them on rides,” Sharon continued. “I avoided family meals out and missed out on making memories with them.”
On September 15, 2015, a devastating fire erupted in Sharon’s home, attributed to a malfunctioning tumble dryer, resulting in extensive damage worth £200,000.
Grateful that her family remained unharmed, Sharon turned to WeightWatchers for solace amidst heightened anxiety. By the end of 2023, she had shed 7st 4lb (46.2kg), dropped four dress sizes, and weighed 19st 8lb (124.2kg) with an obese BMI of 38.2.
Following the loss of her sister Kaleena at 45, Sharon felt a renewed determination to change her life. “On her passing, I made a promise to her that things would be different this time, that I would lose the weight. I couldn’t bear the thought of my mother losing another daughter, so I decided to take action,” she revealed.
Praising the support from WeightWatchers, Sharon remarked, “I always knew the program was effective; my challenge was sticking to it. The camaraderie and encouragement from others in similar situations were invaluable and made all the difference for me.”
“I even returned to amusement parks, rode roller coasters, and surprisingly, the thrill of the ride didn’t faze me! I’ve embraced swimming and gym sessions, activities I never imagined I’d enjoy,” Sharon added.
“I feel like a completely different person now, much more self-assured.”
