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Mum, 40, loses 12 stone after Alton Towers boat ride 'sank' under her weight

The mum-of-four had to be escorted off by staff

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Michelle Stokes, before her weight loss, at Alton Towers

Mum Michelle Stokes lost more than 12 stone after an Alton Towers boat ride began 'sinking' under her weight and she had to be escorted off by staff. The 40-year-old had gone up to a size 30 and was 23st 11.4lbs at her heaviest after 'neglecting' herself after becoming a mum-of-four.

Taking trips to the local petrol station after the school on the way to work she would gorge on confectionary items like sweets and pastries and order takeaways for dinner. While in CBeebies Land with her children, she went on a boat ride which began 'sinking' due to Michelles weight and staff had to help her get off, leaving her crying 'all the way home' in the car.

A week later, she joined Slimming World and has gone on to shed 12st 4.5lbs and shrink down to a svelte 11st 7lbs and fits into a size 12.

Michelle, an occupational therapist, from Worcestershire, said: The week before I joined Slimming World we went to Alton Towers and went to CBeebies Land. Imogen and Marnie wanted to go on one of the rides there, a boat ride, and I was in a lot of pain that day it was a hot day and I was struggling to walk.

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Michelle Stokes before and after her weight loss.

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I knew I was over the weight limit but they let me onto the ride. As we were going around, the back of the boat was sinking and struggling to get back on the ramps and carry on going around.

The ride operators had to stop it and help me get off. I cried all the way home I tried not to in front of the kids but its difficult not show emotion in front of them."

Michelle tried fad diets throughout her twenties and after becoming a mum to four Imogen, 14, Archie, 12, Isaac, eight, and Marnie, seven she found focusing on her own health harder and the pounds piled on. She ensured her kids ate healthy meals, but self-neglect mean she would skip meals completely and end up binge eating as a result.

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Michelle Stokes after her weight loss.

She said: Ive always struggled with my weight but it started in my late teens. I became a mum in my mid-twenties and Ive got four children so when I became a busy mum finding the time and space to focus on my own health and wellbeing was even harder, and the weight continued to pile on.

I couldnt stand to look at myself in the mirror or have any photos taken of me. I wanted to be a positive role model for my children and I didnt want them to grow up with the same unhealthy relationship with food I had. "

A number of events led up to Michelle choosing to join Slimming World, including when she collapsed whilst on a shopping centre trip with her daughter.

She said: I collapsed because my blood sugars werent an even level because of the binge eating and not looking after myself. I turned to my GP and they told me I had a risk of cardiovascular disease and that I needed to think about my health and do something about this.

I was pre-diabetic as well. Just seeing the sheer horror and look on my daughters face was the one thing that made me realise I need to be here for the children and I was basically digging an early grave for myself if I kept abusing and neglecting my body in this way.

Not so long before Alton Towers my son was in nursery and he came home with a picture of the family. I said to him whats this?

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Michelle Stokes embarked on a weight-loss mission (Pic: SWNS)

He said, this is daddy, this is Imogen naming his siblings and then there was a big massive round blob with arms and legs and I said, whats that?

He said, thats you.

He was little and didnt know but I was so hurt by the picture and how my son saw me."

A week after the Alton Towers trip in August 2019, Michelle joined Slimming World, bringing along her husband Dan, 39, and their children along as her cheerleaders. Michelle said: With Slimming World, my uncle Pete, 63, who lives down south has been following it and has done so well.

He had lost over 10st at that point and inspired me to join. I find the plan really good and the fact its really realistic and rooted in healthy habits is great.

Ive dropped nine dress sizes, halved my BMI and lost 50 per cent of my starting weight which is really fantastic. Now Ive got a brand new wardrobe full of clothes and Im spoilt for choice.

In the summer its lovely to go out in a vest top and shorts and not worry what people are thinking about me. Now I prepare meals the night before or as a family the night before.

Ill have overnight oats for breakfast. Lunch at the work canteen Ill have a jacket potato but I bring my own reduced fat cheese with beans and a side salad to go with it.

For tea, spaghetti bolognese is one of the kids favourites."

Michelle has also embraced an active lifestyle, recently running the Race For Life 5k for Cancer Research with husband Dan, who has also lost nearly 4st on Slimming World.

She swims up to four times a week and regularly takes the family dog Bonnie for hour long walks before or after work. Michelle attended Slimming Worlds head office in October 2025 after making it to the final 10 in the Woman of the Year awards.

She said: Now I no longer hide from photos and dont avoid social situations like I would have done I believe in myself like I never did before.

Losing 12st 4.5lbs has shown me Im capable of hard things and that belief spills into every part of my life.

Michelles diet

Before:

Breakfast nothing, or a fry-up or toast at the weekend

Lunch nothing, or a sandwich

Dinner takeaway like Chinese, Indian, or McDonalds

Snacks confectionary from local petrol station

Now:

Breakfast overnight oats with strawberries, raspberries and blueberries

Lunch jacket potato with beans, reduced fat cheese and a side salad

Dinner spaghetti bolognese with courgette instead of pasta

Snacks fruit and hard boiled eggs

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