A hairdresser and his teacher entered into a weight loss pact together and lost 22 stone – the equivalent weight of an adult lion. Joshua Hilton, 30, and his former hairdresser teacher, Sarah Jane Clark, shed the mammoth amount of weight while still enjoying takeaways, chocolate and crisps – and say dieting is “pointless”.
Joshua lost nine stone in 12 months, while Sarah, now a wellbeing and eating disorder coach, lost 12-and-a-half stone. Together, they’ve gone from a teacher-student dynamic to a friendship that supports others and challenges “toxic diet culture”. For Joshua, the journey began as a New Year’s resolution on January 1, 2024.
At 20 stone, he found himself avoiding people, struggling to tie his shoelaces, and battling severe mental health challenges. The pair began their weightloss journey separately but then came together to support each other and lose as much weight as they could – without the use of crash dieting.
Joshua, from Chippenham, Wiltshire, said: “I wasn’t living – I was just existing. I’ve tried every single diet – slimming groups, keto, even diet pills – it’s not the right way to do it. My mental health was on the brink, I would avoid people in the supermarket and I struggled to even tie my shoelaces up without going into a sweat.”
Determined to prove everyone wrong, he committed to a calorie deficit approach – eating fewer calories than he uses in a day – and focusing on gradual and sustainable weight loss. Sarah, 53, had a similar story of transformation. Once a hairdresser herself, she has now transitioned into helping others as a wellbeing coach, using her own experiences to guide those struggling with food addiction and weight issues.
Both Joshua and Sarah emphasise that there’s no secret formula for weight loss. Joshua’s method is straightforward: calorie deficit without strict food restrictions. He said: “I still eat cake, chocolate, and takeaways.”
“It’s all about portion control and prioritising protein, vegetables, and fibre. You don’t have to give up carbs or live on salmon and rice – it’s just about being aware of calories.”
Joshua’s former diet consisted largely of sugar and fast food, including three to four litres of full-fat Coke daily, multiple takeaways per night, and minimal water. Now, he enjoys balanced meals like granola with fruit for breakfast, gammon and chips for lunch, and a takeaway or a meal out for dinner, with room for evening snacks like cake and chocolate bars.
But he has not cut out ‘bad food’ and still eats them when he wants providing he maintains a calorie deficit. He now weighs just over 11 stone and has become passionate about dismantling the myths surrounding weight loss and diet culture. Joshua said: “We’re fighting against toxic fad diets and the stigma around food addiction.
“Food addiction isn’t treated like other substance abuses, but it’s just as real.”
Through Joshua’s TikTok page and Sarah’s Facebook group called step by step with Sarah Jane, the duo shares their insights and supports others. Joshua is also training to become a weight management coach, while Sarah continues to advocate for positive, sustainable approaches to health and nutrition.
“People always say New Year’s resolutions won’t last, but sometimes they do,” Joshua said. “You can enjoy food and still lose weight.”