11st Lighter & £10,000 Richer: Meet Our 2024 Transformation Challenge Winner, Rachael

Transformation isn’t just about changing your body; it’s about revolutionising your entire life. Meet Rachael, the inspiring winner of our 2024 Transformation Challenge, who not only shed an incredible 11 stone but also claimed our £10,000 cash grand finale prize. Her journey from yo-yo dieting to sustainable success is a testament to the power of determination, the right support system, and a plan that truly works.

In this exclusive interview, Rachael shares her emotional reaction to winning the £10,000 grand prize, her plans for the future, and the unexpected ways her weight loss journey has impacted every aspect of her life. From overcoming emotional eating to inspiring her teenage sons, Rachael’s story is a beacon of hope for anyone who’s ever struggled with their weight or felt stuck in a cycle of failed diets.

But this isn’t just about weight loss. It’s about gaining confidence, rediscovering joy, and learning to approach life’s challenges with a newfound resilience. Whether you’re just starting your weight loss journey or looking for motivation to keep going, Rachael’s insights and advice offer a roadmap to success.

Prepare to be inspired as we delve into Rachael’s remarkable transformation, exploring the hurdles she overcame, the strategies that worked for her, and the bright future she’s building. This is more than just a success story; it’s a guide to transforming your life, one day at a time.

A Life-Changing Phone Call: The £10,000 Prize Announcement

Cat: How does it feel to have won £10,000 cash and be named our 2024 Transformation Challenge Overall Winner?

Rachael: I was thankfully sitting down when I received the news. As soon as he told me, I nearly dropped my phone. My hands were shaking so much that I had to use my other hand to steady the phone. I was in disbelief, asking, “What? Are you sure? Are you serious?” My coworker came in, seeing me tearing up and shaking, and asked what was going on. I just mouthed to her, “I just won ten thousand pounds.” She was equally shocked. For the rest of the day, from about 1:30 PM until I finished work at 4 PM, I couldn’t concentrate. It hadn’t sunk in then, and to be honest, it still hasn’t quite sunk in, even now.

Cat: What are you planning to spend the money on?

Rachael: I haven’t fully decided yet. As a responsible adult, I would love to save some of it for unexpected expenses. About a year ago, I had the opportunity to fly business class to America, which was an amazing experience, although I was traveling alone. We’re planning another trip this coming September, and I’d really love to treat my husband to a business class seat so he can have that experience too. I had to scrimp and save for my previous opportunity, so to be gifted this money and use it to treat my husband would be absolutely amazing. That will probably use about half of the prize money. I’m hoping to save the other half, not necessarily for a rainy day, but perhaps for a car or home improvements. We’ll see. I’ll probably need a new wardrobe soon too, because believe me, I’m wearing a very tightly pulled belt as my trousers are way too big now.

From Yo-Yo Dieting to Sustainable Success

Cat: Can you summarise your journey and tell us how you got to where you are now?

Rachael: I’ve been yo-yo dieting since age 10 when my mom took me to a nutrition class. Always a big girl, I was active but never happy with my weight. As a teenager, I had to shop in the plus-size section, leading my dad to once comment that I dressed like an old woman.

My dad passed away suddenly seven years ago from undiagnosed heart disease. Type 2 diabetes runs in my family. His unexpected passing at 62 was a shock. I started exercising but still struggled with weight, losing and regaining in a cycle.

In September 2023, I attended a family wedding. My mom, also a yo-yo dieter, had let herself go during COVID. At 68, she needed a cane and couldn’t manage steps, while her sisters remained active. This scared me, considering my own size. I saw a video of myself at the wedding and it was a wake-up call. I knew I needed to make a change once and for all.

I began researching diet programs, needing something that fit my busy lifestyle. I realised how much I spent on junk food and Diet Cokes daily.

That’s when I discovered the New You plan. The variety of items attracted me, offering more choices than similar plans. It was easy – just mix with water and microwave if necessary. I could take it to work and prepare it quickly, which suited my busy life. It was portable, didn’t need refrigeration, and took up little space.

In early December, I ordered a starter pack. Impressed, I immediately wanted more. I joined the Secret Slimmers group to learn more, reading everything available – the About section, FAQs, all the posts, and featured content. I placed another order before even starting, including Water Flavorings.

I began on January 1st, determined despite not being happy with myself. We had our last party on New Year’s Eve, and I started the next day. I lost eleven pounds in the first week and was hooked. By day four or five, I had so much energy that I was running down the hallway at work.

Setting Yourself Up for Success: Lessons from Rachel’s Experience

Cat: What advice would you give to new customers starting out this new year?

Rachael: My top tips for getting started are: do your research, read thoroughly about the plan, go through the FAQs, study the ‘About’ section on the website, and read the featured section in the groups. There’s a wealth of valuable tips there. That’s exactly what I did for weeks before I actually started the plan, aiming to feel like an expert before I began. I can’t stress this enough: read up on the plan because many people start thinking it’s a magic wand. It’s not.

Follow the plan because it does work – the research has been done for you so follow it. Drink your water. If you struggle with plain water, try the Water Flavorings. They not only help with taste but also aid in regulating your system due to their high fibre content. I highly recommend the New You water bottles; they’re fantastic. Drinking five of them a day helps you hit your water goal easily. You don’t have to worry about measuring. If you can afford it, get five bottles, fill them up at the beginning of the day, and finish them by the end. You’ll hit your water goal without having to think about it or wonder if you’ve had enough.

Create a routine. I can’t emphasise this enough: routine, routine, routine. Yes, life will throw you curveballs, but The New You Plan is flexible enough to handle them. I’ve seen many people post about getting ill or having to take someone to the hospital. They keep a New You bar in their bag just in case, and it’s been a lifesaver, allowing them to stay on plan.

If something happens and you have to eat off-plan one day, perhaps because you’re stuck in a hospital room, don’t stress about it. Get back on the plan when you get home. Things happen. Life happens. Don’t kick yourself or punish yourself. Just return to the plan as soon as you can. It’s okay. It doesn’t mean you’ve failed. You’re aware that it wasn’t ideal, but it’s not going to ruin everything.

Looking Ahead: Rachel’s Future Health and Fitness Goals

Cat: I know you’re not completely there, in terms of goals, but what is next what is next for Rachel Smith?

Rachael: As you mentioned, I’m not quite at my goal yet. However, I’ve made massive strides, having lost over 11st. I remember posting in the groups when I reached the point where I’d lost the equivalent of my husband’s weight. It’s mind-boggling to think that I was essentially carrying him around on my back all day.

My next goal is to reach a healthy BMI range for my height. Currently, I’m still technically in the obese category, but only just. I’m under 15st now. I’m quite tall and a healthy BMI for me is around 12st. Of course, everyone’s build is different. While experts might say at five foot nine you should weigh this much, I need to work with what’s right for my body. I have a large frame, so my current goal is about 12st. That means I have almost 3st left to lose.

Last year, my goal was simply to get the weight off. I have a very active job, so getting my steps in isn’t usually a challenge. However, having lost 11st, I now have loose skin to contend with. So this year, my goal is to start toning up and make regular exercise a more integral part of my routine. I want to focus on actual workouts, not just being active at work, to try and tone up that loose skin a bit. It’ll always be there to some extent, but you know what? That’s part of me now. It’s a reminder not to go back to the way I was.

Every time I see that loose skin, I think, “No, I know what caused that. Don’t go there again.” So in some ways, it actually helps me. My goals now are to get more active, get fitter – because even though I’m way more fit than I was before losing 11st, I want to do even more. In my whole life of yo-yo dieting, I’ve never maintained my weight loss for more than a few months. That’s something I really want to work on changing.

Transforming Mind and Body: The Unexpected Benefits of Rachel’s Journey

Cat: How has your life changed since losing weight?

Rachael: Mentally, it’s not just about diet or fitness; it’s about how I approach everything in life now. Looking back at myself just over a year ago, I realize I was quite down in the dumps. I have a family history of depression and have gone through periods of depression myself. But something shifted in me around October or November 2023, right after that wedding. Something just clicked. Having accomplished what I have on the New You plan and sticking to it has changed my approach to everything.

Previously, when stressed, I’d turn to food. I had a really stressful time back in May, and yes, the craving and instinct to eat were there. But did I give in? No. I knew I’d come too far to go back. I didn’t need it, and I could see how much better I felt for not doing it. I got through that hiccup, and looking back, I’m so thankful I didn’t resort to emotional eating. Even my approach at work has changed. I think, “I’ve gotten through this major hurdle in my life, so this work issue is minor.” I’m not going to let it stress me. I just have a brighter outlook on everything now.

I’m forever grateful for finding the New You plan. Having been through so many diets since the age of ten, I never found something that worked for me until now. Will the New You plan work for everybody? Maybe not. Some people can’t do it because of various health reasons or because their doctors advised against it. But don’t worry about that – there’s something out there that’s right for you and will keep you healthy. I’m very thankful that I had good health in general, so I was able to do The New You Plan.

The fact that I found it through a simple Google search feels like it was meant to be. I’m forever thankful because it’s changed so many things in my life. My addiction to Diet Coke is gone – I have no desire for it anymore, which is amazing because I’d been hooked on it since I was 10. That was massive for me. The amount of money I was spending on Diet Coke for work every single day now pays for The New You Plan instead.

One of my brightest moments was when my kids, who had been away for a weekend, came home and said, “Wow, Mom. You look skinny.” Coming from older teenage/young adult boys, that was something. This was about six months ago. My boys were proud of me, which made me so emotional at the time. That was definitely my Non-Scale Victory for that day.

Ready to Transform Your Life Like Rachael? Join Our 2025 £52K Cash Transformation Story Challenge!

Inspired by Rachael’s incredible journey? It’s time to write your own success story! The New You Plan is thrilled to announce our 2025 Transformation Story Challenge, with an astounding £52,000 in cash prizes up for grabs! Who knows… this time next year, we could be sharing how YOU have won our £10K Grand Finale…

Why Join?

• Chance to win a share of £52,000 in cash prizes
• £7,000 cash awarded every 2 months
• Grand finale prize of £10,000 for one overall winner
• Free to enter and open to all stages of your journey
• 30 chances to win throughout the year

How to Enter:

• Take your “I AM IN” photo with our downloadable poster
• Follow your New You Plan journey
• Submit your transformation story and photos
• Enter as many times as you like throughout the year

Don’t miss this life-changing opportunity to transform your health, boost your confidence, and potentially win big! Whether you’re just starting out, in the middle of your journey, or maintaining your success, this challenge is for you.

Download your “I AM IN” poster now and take the first step towards a new you and a chance at £52,000 in cash prizes!

Remember, your transformation journey starts with a single step. Rachael took that first step. Will you?

Join the challenge today and let 2025 be the year you truly thrive!