1 Powerful Reason It Finally Worked: How Suzy Lost 4st 1lb After Starting Over Again and Again

Suzy is one of our wonderful runners-up in the New You Total category of the Transformation Challenge, and her journey is one of determination, resilience, and quiet confidence.

After a major health scare, time in hospital, a stoma, depression, weight gain, and a type 2 diabetes diagnosis, Suzy reached a point where she knew something had to change.

What followed was an incredible transformation.

Since starting The New You Plan, Suzy has lost 4 stone 1lb, reached her goal, come off her diabetes medication, improved her mobility, and found a confidence she felt she had lost.

In this interview, she shares what helped her get started, what kept her going, and why it is never too late to make a change.

This is Suzy’s Story…

wistia-player[media-id=’qnxtgmilct’]:not(:defined) { background: center / contain no-repeat url(‘https://fast.wistia.com/embed/medias/qnxtgmilct/swatch’); display: block; filter: blur(5px); padding-top:56.25%; }

Getting Started

Rachael: First of all, Suzy, a huge congratulations on being one of our runners-up in the New You Total category for the Transformation Challenge. How do you feel?

Suzy: Shocked, really, because I thought I’d missed it all. I didn’t think anything was going to come of it.

Rachael: You had lots of votes behind the scenes when we were judging, so congratulations. People obviously saw something amazing in your story. For anyone who may not know your journey, can you tell us a little bit about how you found The New You Plan and why you decided to start?

Suzy: About four years ago, I ended up in hospital with a perforated bowel. I was only supposed to have a stoma bag for a year, but it ended up being two years. During that time, I got really depressed. I didn’t want to go out, and I was eating everything in sight.

Eventually I had my reversal done, but by then I had put on so much weight. I said to my friend Karen, “I don’t know what to do.” She told me about The New You Plan and said she was happy on it, so she told me to give it a go.

At first, though, I was put off because people were saying they got constipated on the plan, and because of what had happened to me with my bowel, that really worried me. I didn’t want to go through anything like that again. So I left it for a while and just got more depressed and put on more and more weight.

Then I thought, right, I’ll give it a try. So I ordered my packs in July and got started. I was actually surprised because it had the opposite effect for me. I think everyone is different, but I was really glad of that.

And I found it so easy to follow as well.

A Health Wake-Up Call

Rachael: You also mentioned that you ended up on diabetes medication during that time too?

Suzy: Yes. About six months before I started, I’d been told I was prediabetic. Then by January last year I had type 2 diabetes and they put me on metformin.

I thought, I can’t keep taking all these medications they’re giving me. I’ve got to do something. So when I started in July, one of my main goals was to reduce some of the medication I was taking, especially the diabetes tablets.

After a while, I think I’d only been on plan for a couple of months, the doctor reduced my metformin from four a day to two a day. Then later, after a blood test, they took me off it altogether.

I was quite surprised because I didn’t think it would happen so soon.

Rachael: That’s amazing. So since starting in July, you’ve actually managed to come off the metformin altogether?

Suzy: Yes, which is life-changing really.

It Is Never Too Late

Rachael: You mentioned your husband earlier. Can you share a bit about that time?Rachael: You’re 67, and I think you’re such a great example for people who might think, “It’s too late for me.” What would you say to someone in that position?

Suzy: I felt like that myself. I thought, “I’m too old for diets and things like that.” But I’d say, give it a go. Don’t be put off by your age, because I was quite surprised by how easy I found it.

I live on my own, so I didn’t have to go supermarket shopping all the time. It was delivered to my door, and that meant there was no temptation for me, which I think is where a lot of people struggle. They have to go out and buy food and then they’re surrounded by temptation.

So no, don’t be put off by your age. We’re all going to age, aren’t we? And really, you’re only as old as you feel.

Finding Movement Again

Rachael: You mentioned your friend also lent you a weighted hula hoop. Has that helped?

Suzy: Yes, I love doing it every day. I’ve got to do it. I can’t just say, “Oh, I’ll miss it today.” I put the TV on, turn the sound up, set the timer on my phone, and off I go. Sometimes if the programme is really good, I just keep going.

I also have arthritis in my knees and in my hands, so there were some of the community challenges I couldn’t really do because of that. But recently I’ve even managed to do squats. I can’t do all 100 at once, so I spread them out through the day, but the fact I can do them now is something I wouldn’t have managed before.

Rachael: That’s fantastic. So losing the weight has actually helped the arthritis too?

Suzy: Yes, I think it’s because there’s not so much weight on my knees and ankles anymore.

The First Week on Plan

Rachael: How was that first week on plan for you? I think you lost around 9 and a half pounds in your first week.

Suzy: Yes, something like that. The strange thing was, I didn’t feel hungry. I’ve never really felt hungry on the plan.

Karen kept saying to me, “You’ve got to have your four meals.” I kept saying, “But I’m okay with three.” She said, “No, you’ve got to have your four meals.”

At first I didn’t really notice the change because I always wore elasticated waistbands and things like that. But when I stood on the scales and saw how much I’d lost in that first week, I was shocked. I thought, “This is really good. I might keep doing it.” That was the moment I thought, wow, this works.

Reaching Goal

Rachael: And how much have you lost altogether now?

Suzy: Four stone and one pound. Don’t forget the one pound.

Rachael: That one pound absolutely counts. And you recently reached your goal, didn’t you? How did that feel?

Suzy: It felt amazing. Every week I’d been staying the same, and it felt like it was taking forever to get through that last stretch. I’d almost resigned myself to staying where I was and thought maybe I wouldn’t quite hit the full 4 stone.

Then when I got on the scales and saw I’d done it, I couldn’t believe it. I actually went and got my camera, took a picture of the scales, and sent it to Karen saying, “I’ve done it. I’ve hit my target.”

To go over by that extra pound as well, I thought, yes, I’ve done that. I’m really happy now.

The Power of the Community

Rachael: We were all cheering you on in the community. Has the group been a big part of your journey?

Suzy: Yes. Seeing how other people have done and how they’ve managed to maintain it has really helped.

I always thought maintenance would be the hard part, but because I found I was often staying the same for weeks while still progressing overall, I realised I was already learning how to maintain along the way.

And honestly, I’m surprised I’ve won because there are so many deserving people in the group. But seeing what everyone else has achieved is amazing. We’re all winners really.

Rachael: You post regularly yourself, and you inspire other people too. Now that you’ve reached your goal, do you think you’ll maintain with a bit of Switch?

Suzy: Probably a bit of Switch, yes, but not all the time. Maybe once a week. I like what I’m doing at the moment. I might even try and nudge it down to 10 stone, just for a little buffer, but we’ll see.

If I stay the same, I stay the same. I’m happy with that.

A New Style, A New Confidence

Rachael: You said you’ve started buying yourself new clothes. Has your style changed?

Suzy: Yes, I think so. Before, it was always leggings, leggings, leggings and a T-shirt. Now I wear more jeans and more fitted things.

I think I feel a bit more grown-up now. I’ve started getting rid of my old clothes and buying things in my size.

Rachael: And you said you finally have the hourglass figure you always wanted.

Suzy: Yes. Before, I didn’t really have any shape. Now I’ve actually got my hourglass figure.

Letting Go of What No Longer Serves Her

Rachael: You also mentioned in your story that you’ve let go of some toxic relationships in your life. Has that been a big part of your journey too?

Suzy: Yes, it has. I was in a relationship years ago, and even though we split up over ten years ago, we were still spending time together, going on holidays, and seeing each other’s families. But over time, it started to feel like the only time they got in touch was when they wanted something.

And me being me, I would jump in and help.

I could see it, but I think because I was depressed and struggling, I was clinging onto it because I felt like that was all I had. Then something changed last year and it made me realise I don’t need that in my life.

Losing the weight and gaining confidence helped me see that more clearly. Now, if they message, I’ll be polite, but I don’t go out of my way anymore. I know what they want, and I know I’m worth more than that.

Rachael: So in some ways, losing the weight gave you the confidence to do what you already knew you needed to do?

Suzy: Yes, exactly.

Advice for Someone Feeling Stuck

Rachael: What would you say to someone who feels stuck, or who thinks it’s too late for them to start?

Suzy: Give it a try. You’ve got nothing to lose really, and you’ll probably be surprised at how easy it is and how quickly the weight comes off, especially at the beginning.

And don’t get disheartened when you only lose a pound, or if you stay the same. After my first few weeks, I was mostly losing one, two or maybe three pounds a week. Some weeks I only lost a pound, and some weeks I stayed the same. But I never gave up.

I didn’t set out thinking I was going to lose 4 stone. I started with a much smaller goal and thought if I could just lose a stone, I’d be happy. Then when I got there, I thought, “Oh, I can do another stone.” And it just carried on from there.

So I’d say, set yourself small targets. Don’t start off saying you want to lose 5 or 6 stone. Just say you want to lose a pound. That’s what helped me.

Persistence Over Perfection

Rachael: What do you think is the biggest lesson your journey has taught you?

Suzy: That I don’t give up easily.

Before, I always thought I would give up. I’d think, “Oh no, I’ve had enough, I’m not doing it anymore.” But this time I stuck with it.

So I think the biggest lesson has been persistence and determination. Just not giving up.

Life Now Compared to Before

Rachael: How has life changed from before you started the plan to now?

Suzy: I go out more now. Before, I just wanted to stay in. If I was going anywhere, I always wanted someone with me. Now I’m quite happy to get in the car and go somewhere, or even get the bus on my own.

I’m much more outgoing now. I’ve got more confidence. I don’t feel like people are looking at me because I’m big or overweight anymore.

That confidence has been a huge change.

The Moment It Really Clicked

Rachael: When do you think it really clicked for you when you looked in the mirror and thought, “Wow, I’ve done it”?

Suzy: I think when I reached 3 stone lost. I tried on something I’d had for years but had never been able to wear properly, and it fitted me.

I looked in the mirror and thought, “Oh wow, I’ve got a figure.” That was the moment it really hit me.

It was probably around 3 stone before I really believed it.

Her Favourite Products

Rachael: Do you have any favourite products?

Suzy: Yes — tomato soup, definitely. I used to love tinned tomato soup, but it always gave me terrible acid reflux. The one on plan doesn’t, and I love it.

And my absolute favourite is the rice pudding. I love rice pudding. It’s my comfort food.

I also like the noodle curry one, the chicken noodle soup, Spaghetti Bolognese, and all the porridges.

One Sentence to Sum It All Up

Rachael: If you had to sum up your journey in one sentence, what would it be?

Suzy: If at first you don’t succeed, try and try again — because it does actually work. So never give up.

Final Thoughts

Suzy’s journey is proof that it is never too late to make a change.

At 67, she has lost 4 stone 1lb, reached her goal, come off her diabetes medication, improved her mobility, rebuilt her confidence, and shown just how powerful determination can be.

Her story is about more than weight loss.

It is about persistence.
It is about confidence.
It is about choosing not to give up.

And above all, it is about proving that small steps really do lead to life-changing results.

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:

• 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.