Two West Lothian women share slimming success after becoming friends at work - Daily Record

Amy Sloan and Amy Scott have lost more than eight stone between them.

Two West Lothian women have shared their slimming success after becoming friends at work.

When Amy Sloan walked into a new job, she wasn’t just starting a fresh role — she was searching for a fresh start.

It was there she met Amy Scott, and a conversation about Slimming World quickly became a shared plan.

That decision — made side by side — has since grown into a powerful example of what can happen when weight loss isn’t treated as a lonely battle, but as a journey with a hand to hold.

Since joining in November 2023, Amy Sloan has lost an impressive 6 stone 1.5lbs. Amy Scott has lost 1 stone 8.5lbs.

Their achievements are significant on the scales, but the story behind them is even more striking: two young women turning up, week after week, choosing encouragement over judgement, consistency over perfection, and community over quitting.

Amy Sloan said: “I was unhappy with how I had gained so much weight during lockdown and buying another size up.

“So, I wanted to use this new job as a fresh start. My biggest challenge has been to not quit.

“There’s been many times along the way which I’ve been close to throwing in the towel but keeping to group and having the support from my friends like Amy have helped me get back on track every time.”

“I had really bad anxiety especially with new people or people I didn’t see too often. Losing weight has helped me regain confidence in how I feel within myself and my anxiety is as calm as it’s been for YEARS.”

She’s also back at the gym — and aiming higher than she ever would have before.

For Amy Scott, the motivation was immediate and relatable.

She said: “The final straw for me was when I was struggling to fit in to my favourite t shirts and they were tight, which made me uncomfortable,” she says.

“My favourite thing about Slimming World is learning new recipes and thinking of different ways of cooking items to keep it interesting.

“I’ve been able to run a 5k without feeling extremely breathless. My fitness has increased, sleeping better and someone who suffers with bad adult acne it has help improve my skin with making better choice with foods.”

Both women attend Gaye Malcolm’s Slimming World group at Geddes House in Livingston every Saturday at 8am and 9.30am, and their consultant says their partnership is exactly what makes groups work.

Gaye said: “They have always come along to group together, supporting each other, but also supporting everyone else in the group as well.

“They are an absolute joy to have in our sessions, sharing lots of support for everyone else on their journeys. The best support is to have a Slimming World buddy – be that someone you come with (a family member, friend, workmate) but if you do come alone then you will find your buddy in group in no time.”

As Amy Scott puts it simply: “If your not happy with your weight and love food, would 100% recommend Slimming World, plus it’s a great support network to keep you on plan.”

And perhaps that’s the real headline here: weight loss can change bodies — but support changes everything.

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