From Wotsits to Marathons: How a Charity Walk Transformed a Mum's Life
Ripping open another bag of Wotsits, 18-stone Katie Turton's self-esteem had plummeted to rock bottom. Little did she know that a simple decision to participate in a charity walk would soon set her life on a completely new and transformative path.
A Struggle with Weight and Confidence
The former make-up artist, aged 32 and from Wigan, had seen her weight balloon significantly following two back-to-back pregnancies. Struggling with depression, she found herself turning to calorific snacks for comfort during this challenging period.
'Weight is something I never struggled with before I got pregnant,' Ms Turton revealed. 'I thought I was carrying twins from how big I was. I fell pregnant and ended up putting on quite a lot of weight. After the second child I was 252 pounds.'
She described a profound loss of confidence and self-worth, with everything spiralling downwards. 'I just knew I didn't want to stay that way forever,' she admitted. Forced to hide her 5'8 frame in tent-like size 24 clothes, her life was about to change dramatically.
The Turning Point: A Charity Walk
Ms Turton's transformation began when she agreed to take part in a 40-mile charity walk in December 2022. 'I knew I needed to start working on myself and feel better for my kids,' she explained. To prepare for the challenge, she started training at home with minimal equipment—a pair of dumbbells and a kettlebell—often with her children sitting on her chest during exercises.
'Being a mum you don't have much time to go to the gym,' she noted pragmatically. The charity walk proved to be a revelation, firmly instilling what she describes as the fitness bug and sparking a desire for further challenges.
From Walking to Marathons
Emboldened by her success, Ms Turton began walking everywhere, gradually increasing her distances. This foundation led her to sign up for the Manchester half marathon, and eventually the full marathon in 2023. 'Because I walked long distances it really helped me,' she said of her training approach.
Her regimen expanded to include boxing and circuit training with an instructor who later became her personal trainer. By the time she completed both Manchester races, she had managed to lose an impressive five stone.
Reaching Her Goal and a New Career
Ms Turton set herself an ambitious target of losing 100 pounds. By joining her local gym and maintaining her disciplined approach, she reached this goal by November 2025, now weighing 10 stone and comfortably wearing size 10 clothes.
'I ended up finally reaching my goal, it was really emotional,' she shared. 'It felt like a long process.' Her transformation was so dramatic that when she posted about it online, some followers questioned its authenticity, with comments ranging from disbelief to accusations of using weight loss injections.
The journey had an even more profound professional impact. Inspired by her own experience, Ms Turton trained to become a qualified personal trainer, completing her certification in March 2025 and now working with clients online.
A Complete Lifestyle Overhaul
The personal trainer admits she struggles to look at old photos of herself. 'I feel sad when I'm looking at pictures because I remember how bad I felt about myself,' she confessed. Her diet has undergone a complete transformation from what she describes as 'chaotic' eating habits to balanced, nutritious meals.
Gone are the Wotsits and party ring biscuits, replaced by a focus on protein, fibre, and proper macronutrients to support her active lifestyle. 'You don't have to eat minimum calories to have maximum results,' she advises, emphasising that she still enjoys treats in moderation.
Inspiring Others Through Her Journey
Ms Turton continues to share her journey online with a clear mission: to inspire other women, particularly mothers. 'I just want to inspire people,' she stated. 'With all the weight loss jabs there's a lot of pressure for women to look a certain way. How you look is the least important thing about it.'
She passionately believes that life doesn't stop when you have children—if anything, they should be motivation to become healthier. 'Kids should be everyone's reasons to be healthier and see them grow up,' she asserted.
Reflecting on her incredible transformation, Ms Turton discovered inner strength she hadn't recognised before. 'I knew I was a determined person but didn't give myself enough credit for how strong and resilient I am,' she said. Her final message is empowering: 'The only person between you and your goals is you.'
