Mother Sheds 12 Stone After Alton Towers Boat Ride Incident
A mother from Worcestershire has undergone a remarkable transformation, losing over 12 stone after a distressing incident at Alton Towers where a boat ride began sinking under her weight.
The Turning Point at CBeebies Land
Michelle Stokes, a 40-year-old occupational therapist from Stourport-on-Severn, reached a size 30 and weighed 23 stone 11.4lbs at her heaviest. The pivotal moment came during a family visit to CBeebies Land at Alton Towers in August 2019.
"I knew I was over the weight limit but they let me onto the ride," Michelle explained. "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."
The humiliating experience left Michelle in tears during the entire journey home. "I cried all the way home – I tried not to in front of the kids, but it's difficult not to show emotion in front of them," she recalled.
A Lifetime of Weight Struggles
Michelle's weight issues began in her late teens and intensified after she became a mother to four children: Imogen (14), Archie (12), Isaac (8), and Marnie (7). As a busy parent, she found it increasingly challenging to prioritize her own wellbeing.
"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," she said. "I couldn't stand to look at myself in the mirror or have any photos taken of me."
Her daily routine involved regular stops at the petrol station after school runs, where she would indulge in sweets and pastries, followed by takeaways for evening meals. This pattern of self-neglect led to binge eating and missed meals.
Multiple Wake-Up Calls
The Alton Towers incident wasn't the only warning sign. Michelle had previously fainted during a shopping trip with her daughter due to unstable blood sugar levels from her eating habits.
"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," she revealed. "I was pre-diabetic as well. Just seeing the sheer horror and look on my daughter's face was the one thing that made me realise I need to be here for the children."
Another heartbreaking moment came when her young son brought home a nursery drawing of the family that depicted her as "a big, massive, round blob with arms and legs." Though he was too young to understand, the image deeply affected Michelle.
The Slimming World Transformation
One week after the Alton Towers visit, Michelle joined Slimming World, inspired by her uncle Pete who had lost over 10 stone on the program. Her husband Dan, 39, and their children became her dedicated cheerleaders.
"I find the plan really good and the fact it's really realistic and rooted in healthy habits is great," Michelle said. "I've dropped nine dress sizes, halved my BMI and lost 50 per cent of my starting weight which is really fantastic."
Her current weight stands at a healthy 11 stone 7lbs, and she now wears a size 12. Michelle has completely overhauled her eating habits:
- Overnight oats for breakfast
- Jacket potato with reduced-fat cheese, beans, and salad for lunch
- Family favorites like spaghetti bolognese for dinner
An Active New Lifestyle
Beyond dietary changes, Michelle has embraced physical activity. She swims up to four times weekly, takes hour-long walks with the family dog Bonnie, and recently completed the Race For Life 5k for Cancer Research alongside her husband, who has also lost nearly 4 stone.
In October 2025, Michelle reached the final 10 in Slimming World's Woman of the Year awards and visited the organization's headquarters. "Now I no longer hide from photos and don't avoid social situations like I would have done – I believe in myself like I never did before," she expressed.
"Losing 12st 4.5lbs has shown me I'm capable of hard things and that belief spills into every part of my life," Michelle concluded, reflecting on her extraordinary journey from humiliation at a theme park to becoming a positive role model for her children.
