A Scots mum has lost nine stone after seeing a photo of herself with her children gave her the “wake up call” she needed to make lifestyle changes.
Liv Russell’s dedication and positive outlook on her weight loss journey have seen her achieve her goals.
The 32-year-old, who lives in East Kilbride, joined Slimming World, the UK and Ireland’s largest group-based weight loss organisation, for support.
Despite initial nerves before her first meeting, she credits the group for “changing her life” and has never looked back since. She now leads her own Slimming World group in her hometown to support others.
Speaking to the Daily Record, Liv said she struggled with her weight all her adult life, and never had a positive relationship with food.
Her weight initially increased after moving out of her parents’ house, but it was after an injury which put her in a desk job that it crept up more.
After having her twin girls Elsie and Aida in March 2022, Liv was “at her heaviest” and ended up quitting her job at the end of her maternity leave, due to her weight and family circumstances.
She said this was her first sign she needed to address her weight, but it was a family outing just before her daughters‘ first birthday that made her fully realise.
She recalled: “We were at the safari park, and my husband took a photo of me with the girls which was so unflattering. Then I realised there was only about five pictures of me with my children in the first year of their lives. That was my wake-up call.”
Liv decided to attend a local Slimming World group, but found it difficult to take the first step. After standing outside debating leaving, she plucked up the courage and found speaking to other members helpful.
At the start of her journey in May 2023, Liv weighed 19 stone 3, and set a target of 11 stone by March 2024. After losing eight stone to achieve that goal, she went on to lose another stone by July.
However, she explained: “It’s so much more than just a diet or a quick fix, it’s about making lifestyle changes. Although it isn’t just about the food, it’s food that people know and love, they just need some advice on what to do with it.”
Liv said her biggest challenge was breaking unhealthy habits. She said: “I was snacking out of boredom a lot, so I started doing different tasks to keep myself busy, and I started making healthier swaps for when I did want a snack.”
She also enjoys cooking nutritious meals from scratch which her whole family enjoys. She added: “I now know what’s in my food, and I know I’m giving my girls the best start in life.”
Alongside her healthy eating, Liv says her confidence around exercise has grown “tremendously” thanks to her “biggest cheerleaders” at Slimming World.
She has signed up for the Edinburgh Half Marathon in May 2025, and is preparing to embark on a 16-week training programme, alongside her now full-time job as a consultant leading her own Slimming World group.
Liv shared some words of encouragement for anyone considering attending a group to support their weight loss journey.
She said: “I know how daunting it can be, but it’s the bravest and kindest thing you can do for yourself. It’s like a family, the support and extra level of accountability is unrivalled.”
Liv’s story comes after new UK-wide research carried out by Slimming World revealed that nearly half of Scots adults have delayed losing weight for three years or more. 47% of adults were found to have put off even trying to lose weight.
35% of those surveyed agreed they were waiting on a “final straw” to make them act on it, which included struggling to fit into clothes and being in pain.
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