Mum's Alton Towers Ordeal Sparks 12 Stone Weight Loss Journey
A mother from the West Midlands has lost an incredible 12 stone 4.5 pounds after a distressing incident at Alton Towers, where a boat ride began sinking under her weight. Michelle Stokes, 40, from Stourport-on-Severn, Worcestershire, was left in tears after staff had to help her off the ride, which struggled to function due to her size.
The Turning Point at CBeebies Land
Michelle, an occupational therapist and mother of four, reached her heaviest weight of 23 stone 11.4 pounds, wearing a size 30, after years of self-neglect. Her unhealthy habits included skipping meals and binge-eating takeaways and confectionery from local petrol stations. The pivotal moment came during a family trip to Alton Towers in August 2019, when she boarded a boat ride in CBeebies Land.
"I knew I was over the weight limit, but they let me onto the ride," Michelle recalled. "As we were going around, the back of the boat was sinking and struggling to get back on the ramps. 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 it's difficult not to show emotion."
Health Warnings and Family Realisations
Prior to this incident, Michelle had experienced several health scares, including collapsing at a shopping centre due to unstable blood sugar levels from binge-eating. Her GP warned her of risks like cardiovascular disease and pre-diabetes. A heartbreaking moment occurred when her young son drew a picture of the family, depicting her as a "big massive round blob with arms and legs," which deeply affected her.
"Seeing the horror on my daughter's face when I collapsed made me realise I needed to be here for my children," she said. "I was basically digging an early grave for myself if I kept abusing my body."
Joining Slimming World and Dietary Overhaul
A week after the Alton Towers trip, inspired by her uncle who lost over 10 stone, Michelle joined Slimming World with her husband Dan, 39, and their children as cheerleaders. She embraced a complete lifestyle change, shifting from a diet of fry-ups, takeaways, and sweets to nutritious meals.
Her new diet includes:
- 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
This plan helped her drop nine dress sizes, halve her BMI, and lose 50% of her starting weight, now fitting into a size 12 at 11 stone 7 pounds.
Embracing an Active Lifestyle and New Confidence
Michelle has also incorporated regular exercise into her routine, swimming up to four times a week, walking the family dog for an hour daily, and running a 5k Race for Life with her husband, who lost nearly 4 stone. Her achievements were recognised when she reached the final 10 in Slimming World's Woman of the Year awards in October 2025.
"Now I no longer hide from photos and don't avoid social situations like I would have done," she said. "I believe in myself like I never did before. Losing 12 stone 4.5 pounds has shown me I'm capable of hard things, and that belief spills into every part of my life."
Michelle's journey from a size 30 to a size 12 serves as a powerful testament to resilience and health transformation, driven by a commitment to her family and well-being.
