Rewriting Her Future: Nicky’s 6-Stone Journey to Health, Confidence, and a New Future

When Nicky began her journey with The New You Plan, she wasn’t just looking to lose weight, she was determined to take back control of her health, confidence, and future. After a powerful wake-up moment that showed her just how much her health was being impacted, Nicky made the decision to choose herself and commit fully to change. Starting at just under 18 stone, she has since lost over 6 stone, transforming not only her body but her entire outlook on life. From reversing serious health concerns and avoiding major surgery to rediscovering energy, movement, and self-belief, Nicky’s journey is a powerful reminder of what’s possible.

In this interview, Nicky shares with our Community Manager, Rachael, how she is now able to show up fully in her life and the determination it takes to stay committed and achieve your goals.

This is Nicky’s story…

Getting Started – When Nicky Knew She Had to Choose Herself

Rachael: Hi Nicky, how are you?

Nicky: I’m fine, thank you! How are you?

Rachael: I’m very good, thank you. Massive congratulations on being a Transformation Challenge Winner! How did it feel when you got the call from me?

Nicky: I was gobsmacked. I was actually out walking in the rain when the phone went off and I couldn’t get to it. When I heard your voice on the message, I thought, “Oh hold on a minute… this should be good!” It was a really great end to a very soggy day.
After walking in the storm, it was honestly what I needed, so thank you. I really appreciate it. It’s brilliant.

Rachael: For anyone who hasn’t heard your story yet, tell us about your journey. How you found The New You Plan and how much you’ve lost.

Nicky: I started in June 2024. My other half took a video of me playing with my horse, and I sat on that video for ages. I was really depressed about how I looked. I knew I was big and I was struggling with health issues, but seeing that clip made me realise just how bad it had got.

My health was really suffering. I was three weeks away from a hip replacement, my blood pressure was high, and I was pre-diabetic. Seeing that video made me think, “I’m killing myself here. I really need to do something.”

I’d tried a similar plan years ago and lost some weight, so I Googled and found The New You Plan. I thought, “In for a penny, in for a pound.” I bought the 28-day starter because I knew if I spent the money and had it all in the house, I’d commit.

I started at just under 18 stone, and now I’m 11.7 stone, which was my goal. I haven’t been this weight since I met Tim, so that’s nearly 17 years. Honestly, it’s been a life changer.

The Health Changes That Changed Everything

Rachael: That’s incredible. How has it helped your health?

Nicky: Just before Christmas I had my yearly health check, and I’m no longer pre-diabetic.

With the hip replacement, when I saw the consultant, I’d already lost about three stone and I felt so much better. I didn’t want to come off the waiting list, so we made a deal: he’d delay the surgery but keep me on the list just in case.

I went back just before Christmas, so about a year later and I’m still on the waiting list, but he’s happy to leave me where I am because I can walk properly now. I’m walking five miles plus on my days off. I do two miles at work, then I’ll go out for a three-mile walk with the dogs. It’s a life changer.

And at my health check I found out I’ve gone from a 40% chance of having a heart attack in the next ten years to 3.3%. Massive game changer. My life is so different now. I’m more optimistic about everything. Even the guys at work have said I’m not the miserable person I used to be.

Rachael: The weight coming off must have helped the hip too.

Nicky: Absolutely. You don’t realise the implications of carrying that much extra weight. I used to joke I was walking around with a small child… but honestly it was more like a medium-sized adult I was carrying around. I’m so glad I found the plan.

Nicky’s Favourite Packs

Rachael: What feels different about this plan compared to others you’ve tried?

Nicky: It’s so different from the old plans where you were basically limited to shakes. That’s fine in summer, but in winter you want something hot. The variety is amazing and the taste is amazing and I think that’s why it’s easy to stick to. And it’s not that gritty rubbish from years ago!

Rachael: What’s been your favourite thing about the plan itself?

Nicky: It’s easy. I can bring the packs to work. I don’t eat breakfast and never have. I’m up at 5am for work so I tend to double up.

At lunch in winter, I’ll have two soups together, and it’s so easy. In summer I do shakes with ice in the blender so it’s like a smoothie. In the evening I double up again and it’s like a big bowl of comfort food.

And if I only have one shake, I can even turn one into ice cream for pudding. Honestly it’s brilliant.

The biggest thing is there’s no stress. You don’t have to calorie count. In the past I’d try to eat healthy and then naughty stuff would sneak back in. This way, there’s no thought apart from what packs you’re choosing that day.

Rachael: And you still get that treat feeling too!

Nicky: Yes! I’m a little bit addicted to the crisps at night. After dinner, if my other half is picking at something naughty, I have my crisps so I still feel like I’m having a treat. The bacon crisps are a winner.

Rachael: What’s your favourite pack?

Nicky: I love the Mexican Tacos. I often have them with the Pasta Carbonara, add chilli flakes because I like heat and it’s my favourite combo.

I also love the soups, especially the Chicken Noodle Soup. I bulk it out with the normal chicken soup so I have “double chicken.”

Life After Weight Loss; The Changes You Don’t Expect

Rachael: Looking back, what changes stand out the most in your day-to-day life?

Nicky: The breathing is a big one. I didn’t realise how much I used to puff and wheeze, even just walking.

And with my hip, I actually hit the deck a couple of times at work because my hip would give way under the weight. It used to scare everyone. As the weight came off, that stopped happening.

But I think the biggest one is depression and mindset. You don’t realise how negative you’ve become. Everything feels like a problem when you’ve got no confidence.

Now I think: “Do you know what? I can do this. If I can do this, I can pretty much do anything.” It has a knock-on effect in every aspect of life.

Rachael: What helped you keep going early on?

Nicky: The first couple of weeks are huge because the weight you lose is a real kickstart. You look at other people’s stories and hope you can be one of them… and then after a couple of weeks you realise you are becoming one of them. It’s a big motivator.

Rachael: Have you found the Facebook groups helpful?

Nicky: Definitely! Especially for ideas, recipes and how people make things. I never realised you could make ice cream out of the packs. I bought a cheap ice cream maker and in summer it was amazing.

The support is incredible too. Even if you don’t post much, when you do, the responses are amazing. Even just a like or heart makes a massive difference.

Nicky’s Top Tips for New Starters

Rachael: What are your top tips for someone in their first week or two?

Nicky:

• Measure yourself. Even if the scales don’t move, your size changes.
• Take photos. It’s hard at the start, but you’ll thank yourself later.
• If you have a bad day, remember it’s one day! Don’t bin it off. Just get back on it.
• Ask for help in the groups. Everyone’s in it together.
• Don’t give up if you dislike one pack. There’s trial and error, and your tastes change as you go.
• Remember why you started. Put your “why” on the fridge if you need to. I kept looking back at that video thinking, “I don’t want to be this person anymore.”

Rachael: Have people around you noticed the change?

Nicky: Yes! Managers I only see every few months are amazed.

But the biggest moment was when regular customers started stopping me saying, “My God, you look so different! I didn’t recognise you!” They recognised my hair first (I have pretty wacky hair!) but didn’t realise it was me.

That makes you feel proud. That’s when I really realised how much I’d lost.

At work, they’ve gone from “Oh you can just have one” to “We don’t even ask you anymore.” They’re really proud of me.

Rachael: Were you on medication before? Have you come off anything?

Nicky: No, but they wanted to put me on beta blockers. I was stage two hypertensive and pre-diabetic and they wanted pills, but I pushed back. I thought, where do you draw the line? It’s in my gift to take control and not need meds.

And menopause, people say you can’t lose weight on menopause. You absolutely can. I think we use it as an excuse. I’m 57, and I’m proud of it. It’s not “impossible”, it’s just harder, and you’ve got to get on with it.

Rachael: And what about loose skin?

Nicky: There are bits I’m not happy with, but I’d rather live ten years longer. It’s a small price to pay. Wrinkles mean you’ve lived!

Where Nicky Is Now; Goals & Maintenance

Rachael: Do you have any targets left?

Nicky: I’d like to lose another seven pounds, just half a stone so I’m slightly under the weight I was when I met Tim. I’ve built muscle and the last bit is harder, but I’m happy.

Rachael: Will you stay on Switch to maintain?

Nicky: I’ll always have the packs around. They’re nice, it’s a no-brainer, and I don’t want to go back to who I was.

At the minute I do full plan Monday to Friday and loosen the reins a bit on weekends. I can manage that. Could I completely let go? No. And I don’t want to.

Rachael: Anything that surprised you about losing weight?

Nicky: Buying clothes! I didn’t know what size I was. I kept buying too big because I didn’t realise how much I’d changed, especially bras. It’s funny, but it’s a real thing.

Rachael: Nicky, it’s been amazing talking to you. Congratulations again! So proud of you.

Nicky: Thank you so much! And thank you, The New You Plan.

Nicky’s journey is proof that it’s never too late to choose yourself and take back control of your health, confidence, and future. Whether you’re at the very beginning or restarting after a setback, her story shows that small, consistent decisions can lead to life-changing results. If you’re ready to feel better, move easier, and become your own success story, there’s no better time to start than now. Your transformation could begin with one simple decision today.

Cash Prizes To Help Your Thrive – £52,000 Up for Grabs!!

This year, we’re giving away 52K in cash. £7,000 cash will be won every 2 months for our absolute favourite glow-ups! The 2026 Transformation Challenge has had an overhaul, creating opportunities for even more people to win fantastic cash prizes! And the grand finale? An epic £10,000 cash prize for one overall winner!

Customers can enter any or ALL of the following challenges:

• Jan & Feb: New Year, New You (submit by Saturday 28th Feb)
• Mar & Apr: Ready for Spring (submit by Thursday 30th April)
• May & June: Summer is Coming (submit by Tuesday 30th June)
• July & Aug: Summer Slim Down (submit by Monday 31st Aug)
• Sept & Oct: Fall Focus (submit by Saturday 31st Oct)
• The £10,000 Grand Finale (submit by Monday 30th November)
• Nov & Dec: End 2026 strong (submit by Thursday 31st Dec)

You don’t have to be at your goal to enter! Entering each time will keep you motivated and on track to achieving your goal. And, if you are already at your goal and maintaining your weight loss, you can enter too!

It’s free to enter, you can join at any time and you can submit every 2 months, if you wish. Winners are announced 6 times a year. And don’t forget about our £10,000 grand finale in November 2026, in which the overall winner of the year will walk away with £10k cash.