£100K Transformation Challenge | From Size 22 to 14: Amanda Sheds 4 Stone and Wins Big
Meet Amanda, a determined participant in our £100K Transformation Challenge who turned her life around in an awe-inspiring way. Once struggling with her weight at over 15 stone and wearing a size 20 to 22, Amanda faced a pivotal moment in her life. She realised the dire need for change to avoid becoming housebound. This realisation sparked a remarkable journey of health, self-discovery, and success. Not only did Amanda dramatically transform her appearance by losing 4 stone, but she also clinched £1000 in our competition, proving that dedication and the right plan can lead to extraordinary results.
Join us as we delve into Amanda’s inspiring story, her strategies, and the personal triumphs that go beyond the scale.
New You: Amanda, why did you decide to join the Transformation Challenge?
Amanda: I’d hit an all time high of reaching just over 15 stone and was a dress size 20 to 22. And I just thought, if I don’t do it now, I’m going to be housebound at some point in my life. It was just the point where I thought, this is ridiculous. It’s almost like self-harm, really. It was just getting out of control. So that 15 stone mark was literally the point where I thought, no, something’s got to happen.
When I found out I was a winner, it was mad. I was working at the time and I had to put my scissors down and take a few minutes to compose myself. I have entered it before but didn’t win. I was gobsmacked – I still can’t quite believe it.
Getting started…
New You: Why did you decide to try The New You Plan?
Amanda: I’m very much an all or nothing person with whatever I do. And I haven’t really got the time with work, kids, dogs, lifestyle etc to be weighing, counting calories, documenting it on an app. It was just very easy to just literally get my four packets out, bish, bosh, done. I didn’t have to actually think about it at all. So it was the simplicity of the plan that made me start it.
New You: And tell us about that first week…
Amanda: I was really geared up for it, very motivated. I literally started it a year ago today, funnily enough, the day after my birthday. I made my mind up that once my birthday was out of the way, I was going to go all in. So I had 2 weeks to order my bundle, read everything, get my head in the game, and literally the morning of September 9th, that was it. And I actually found it easier than I thought. But I think most of that was because of the mindset. I think just the wide choice of the meals and the bars – it’s just so vast. There’s got to be something there for everybody, which made it easier.
New You: What are your go-to meals & snacks?
Amanda: The Pancakes were definitely my go-to for a long time. And the Chocolate Brownie and Salted Caramel Cake, as I have a bit of a sweet tooth. I love the Bacon Crisps too – I’d have Crisps every day. Being able to sit down and eat something while watching TV meant that I didn’t feel like I was missing out or being deprived. So that was definitely, I reckon, my saving grace on the plan.
Life changing…
How would you say the plan has changed your life?
Amanda: I’ve lost 4st, which was my goal from the start. Having done that and then maintained for a few months, I’m now readdressing the plan again up until Christmas time to try and shift another stone, stone and a half maybe.
My style has changed a lot since I lost weight. I was always in black, black leggings, black shirt, UGG boots. Everything was just very oversized and I was hidden under layers. Now my whole wardrobe has obviously changed. To be able to go the shops and just buy off the peg. I always said if I got thin, I’d be bankrupt, and that’s not far from the truth. I actually almost feel like I’m aging backwards. I’m dressing a bit trendier. I’ve got five kids between 20 and 28, so obviously they’re quite on trend and their like, “Oh, Mum, you look so cool”. So yeah, just feeling so much better, younger and fitter.
New You: What has being on plan taught you so far?
Amanda: If you really want something bad enough, you can do it. It certainly taught me about portion control. Obviously, feeding a family of 9 for the best part of 20 years, I cook on mass, and now I’m just feeding three of us. It’s just portion control. It was a huge problem for me. Also being a mobile hairdresser and always being back to back with appointments, I used to dive quickly into Lidl’s bakery, or pop into Co-op for chocolate. It was very quick pick me ups for energy. Whereas now I’ve always got a bar in my handbag and a packet of the crisps as my go-to, so I haven’t got to make those stops. So that’s changed a huge amount.
New You: Any memorable non-scale victories you’d like to share?
Amanda: Obviously, having been a size 20-22, I thought if I could just be 16, I’d be happy. And obviously then you hit 16, you say, oh, maybe a 14. So obviously getting into the size 16 jeans was great. The one that really sticks out for me is knee high boots. I’ve got really quite big calves and have a pair of knee high boots that I haven’t worn for many, many years. And getting those zipped up with a pair of thick tights and wearing with a just-above-the-knee leather skirt, I just felt the absolute bee’s knees.
New You: What are you looking forward when you reach your goal?
Amanda: I just want to be more of a 12-14 rather than a 14-16. I just want to feel very comfortable in a 14. So I just think that extra stone, stone and a half will do that for me.
New You: What is the nicest compliment you have received since losing weight?
Amanda: “Oh my God, you look so much younger”. I’m getting quite a lot. Before losing weight, I had reached the point where my self-esteem was quite low. I felt a bit frumpy and dowdy and wasn’t making the best of myself. Now I’m wearing makeup, I had a huge haircut, with about nine inches cut off my hair and I’m wearing more fashionable clothes. I’m just looking and feeling younger.
New You: If you could go back in time to when you were beginning the plan, what piece of advice would you give yourself?
Amanda: Just don’t overthink the whole thing. Take it one day at a time. Don’t beat yourself up. I didn’t actually fall off the plan at all. I did 15 weeks, which I know you’re not really meant to do. You’re meant to do 12, but 15 weeks took me up to the week before Christmas. So over Christmas and New Year’s, I could have my 1000 calories – obviously a bit more on Christmas Day and Boxing Day. I didn’t count anything those two days. And then again, I knew the minute those two weeks were over, I was straight back on it again.
The hardest part was when I did an all-inclusive holiday in week seven for a week, and I didn’t eat one morsel of food. I took my packs with me, sat in the restaurant opposite my husband with my glass of water and watched him eat everything so that he could get his money’s worth. That was very hard. I think on day five, six, I was getting a bit teary and a bit ratty, but I was proud of myself for doing it. People we met on holiday couldn’t believe what I was doing.
Just don’t be hard on yourself. I knew that if I fell off the wagon, that would be it. I know some people are able to go out for a birthday meal, get back on plan the next day. I knew that wouldn’t be me. I wasn’t going to allow myself the week off on this holiday. So, yeah, just take one day at a time. Aim for small bite-sized goals rather than the overwhelming end goal. Break it down so that you don’t get too overwhelmed with it.
Whether you want to lose half a stone or 10 stone*, have a slimmer figure, or are just looking to get maximum nutrition in minimum time, then New You can make the perfect partner to get you to where you want to be.
Join Our £100,000 Giveaway… Make 2024 Your Year of MORE
Our Transformation Challenge is BACK for 2024 & it’s bigger & better than ever!!
In January, we kicked off our BIGGEST EVER giveaway – the £100K Transformation Challenge – where every two months, we’ve awarded £7,000 in cash prizes! Each round, one overall winner bagged £3,000 cash, while four runners-up each won £1,000. That’s not all – our customers have also enjoyed dieting for FREE, with £52,000 worth of products up for grabs simply by sharing photos of their transformation journeys.
But we’re not done yet! 2024 isn’t over, which means there’s still a massive £24,000 in cash waiting to be won between now and Christmas.
Transformation Challenge – Your Final Chances to Enter:
- Sept & Oct: Fall Focus – Submit by 31st October
- Nov & Dec: End 2024 Strong – Submit by 31st December
Exciting Prizes to be Won
This year, we’re giving away 52K in cash. £7,000 cash will be won every 2 months for our absolute favourite glow-ups! One overall winner will WIN £3000 cash and 4 more customers will each WIN £1000. And the grand finale? An epic £10,000 cash prize for one overall winner! Plus, if you’re a runner-up sharing your story, you’re in for a treat with thousands of pounds worth of awesome products!
Our next Transformation Challenge deadline is 30th June so it’s time to submit your I AM IN photos.
The £10,000 Grand Finale
And now, for the grandest prize of all: Our £10,000 Grand Finale!
One extraordinary individual will be crowned the overall transformation champion of the year, and with that title comes the life-changing reward of £10,000 cash, in your bank account, before Christmas!!
But it’s not just about the prize – it’s about recognising the dedication, effort, and transformation you’ve achieved. Whether you’ve shed pounds, gained confidence, seen a massive improvement to your health, completed a once unimaginable goal or completely revitalised your lifestyle, this is your chance to celebrate your hard work in a big way.
If you’ve been transforming your body, mind, and life with The New You Plan, this is your opportunity to shine. Imagine how it would feel to not only reach your goals but also be recognised as our top success story of the year. The spotlight could be on you, inspiring others on their own journeys.
