How Louise Lost 5st 10lbs After Trying Again & Again with 1 Simple Breakthrough

Louise is one of our incredible runners-up in the New You Switch for Maintenance category in the Transformation Challenge — and her journey is a powerful reminder that transformation is not just about losing weight… it’s about finding yourself again.

After going from being highly active to seriously unwell, losing her confidence, and feeling stuck in a cycle she couldn’t break, Louise made a decision that changed everything.

Now, nearly two years on, she has lost just under 6 stone, reversed serious health conditions, rebuilt her confidence, and is successfully maintaining her results while building strength and fitness again.

But the biggest change?

She’s back in the driver’s seat of her life.

This is Louise’s Story…

Getting Started

Rachael: First of all, Louise, a huge congratulations. You are one of our runners-up in the New You Switch for Maintenance category. How does that feel?

Louise: It feels really good. It’s like a massive pat on the back and an acknowledgement of all the hard work.

Maintenance can be quite difficult mentally sometimes, so it just feels amazing to know I’m still going, I’m still doing it, and it’s been recognised.

Life Before the Plan

Rachael: For anyone who doesn’t know your story, can you tell us a bit about your journey and how it all started?

Louise: It goes back to March 2024. I had hit an all-time low.

I used to be really into fitness — always in the gym, doing challenges, staying active. But then I got really ill. I ended up in hospital for three weeks and was left with a couple of long-term conditions.

At first, I used that as an excuse.

“I can’t do that, I’m not well.”

And I started rewarding myself with food. It just spiralled. It got worse and worse.

One day I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror… and I couldn’t even change the bed or tie my shoelaces without getting out of breath.

That was it.

I just thought, “No. I’ve had enough. I don’t want to be like this anymore. I want to be who I used to be.”

Finding The New You Plan

Rachael: How did you find The New You Plan?

Louise: I actually just came across it one night scrolling on Facebook.

What stood out to me was that it was normal people. Real people. Not the usual “look at me” type of thing.

And I thought… you know what? I can only try.

So I did.

And honestly — I loved it.

I loved the food. I loved the simplicity. Yes, the first couple of days were tough, but when I got to the end of the first week and I’d lost 8lbs…

That was it.

That was the moment.

That little win just lit something inside me, and once that happens, the ball starts rolling and you don’t want to stop.

The Transformation

Rachael: How much have you lost now?

Louise: Just under 6 stone — about 5 stone 10.

I started at over 16 and a half stone, dropped several dress sizes, and lost over 10 BMI points.

But more than that, I got to a place where I was happy.

Not where society says I should be — where I felt comfortable.

That’s what mattered to me.

From Weight Loss to Maintenance

Rachael: And you’ve been maintaining since October?

Louise: Yes. I reached my goal in October and started maintaining from there.

My weight goes up a little, down a little, up a little, down a little — but that’s normal. I’m happy with that.

It’s part of life now.

Rebuilding Her Health

Rachael: You mentioned some serious health issues before. How has your journey affected those?

Louise: Completely changed them.

My fatty liver has reversed.

I don’t need medication for my lungs anymore.

I’ve become active again, I’m back in the gym, and my doctor is over the moon. I don’t need regular check-ups anymore — my next one is in a year.

I even stopped smoking.

That was a huge one.

But I think once I realised I had the willpower to lose the weight, I thought… what else can I do?

Back to Fitness

Rachael: You used to be very into fitness. Have you found your way back to that?

Louise: Yes — and I love it.

The gym is my space now. It’s where I go to de-stress. I just put my music on and do my thing.

I’ve even started getting into bodybuilding. I can’t run like I used to, but there are so many other things I can do.

And it’s about building strength now, not just losing weight.

A Completely Different Life

Rachael: How does your day-to-day life compare now to before?

Louise: Completely different.

I sleep better. I wake up earlier. I go to the gym on my own — which I never would have done before.

Before, I’d make excuses not to go out. Now I’m the one making plans.

I’m booking holidays, travelling, seeing friends I haven’t seen in years.

Before, I would stay in all day, in my pyjamas, ordering food and sitting in front of the TV.

Now I’m out living life again.

Confidence and Identity

Rachael: What’s changed in terms of your confidence?

Louise: Everything.

I wear fitted clothes now. I don’t hide.

I take photos — loads of them. I even take a tripod to the gym!

That would have terrified me before, but now I don’t care. I’m not perfect, but I’m happy in myself.

That’s what matters.

The Mindset Shift

Rachael: What do you think has been the biggest mindset shift?

Louise: Believing in myself.

Realising I’m not weak. Realising I can do things if I put my mind to them.

And being my true self.

Before, I felt like I was moulding myself into what other people expected. Now I know I don’t have to do that.

You’ve got to be yourself. You can’t live your life trying to please everyone else.

Maintenance in Real Life

Rachael: For someone worried about maintenance, what does your routine look like now?

Louise: It changes day to day.

On gym days, I’ll have a bar in the morning, a shake later, then a proper meal at home — usually something with lean protein.

I still use the products regularly. They’re great for protein and vitamins, and they help me stay on track.

I allow myself treats — but I’m mindful. I check labels. I make better choices.

It’s all about balance.

“It Still Takes Effort”

Rachael: Do you think people sometimes think it’s easier than it is?

Louise: Yes — it still takes effort.

It’s not magic. You still have to make the right choices.

Even now, I don’t add salt to my food anymore. You just get used to things being different.

It’s about being aware and making conscious decisions.

Advice for Someone Starting

Rachael: What would you say to someone who feels stuck like you once did?

Louise: Give it a week.

Just give it seven days.

Even by day three or four, you’ll start to feel different. And by the end of that week, when you see the results, something clicks.

That’s what drives you forward.

You’ve got to believe in yourself — but you’ve also got to try.

The Power of Community

Rachael: You’re very active in the community. Has that helped your journey?

Louise: Massively.

It’s such a supportive space. People understand you, they don’t judge you, and they help you stay on track.

If you’re having a bad day, you can share it and people lift you up.

You don’t get that everywhere.

One Sentence to Sum It All Up

Rachael: If you had to sum up your journey in one sentence?

Louise: Taking back control of my life, step by step.

Realising that your future isn’t set — it’s something you create.

Final Thoughts

Louise’s journey is about so much more than weight loss.

It’s about:
✨ rebuilding after illness
✨ finding confidence again
✨ creating a new lifestyle
✨ and proving that maintenance is possible

From rock bottom… to nearly 6 stone down… to confidently maintaining.

And most importantly?

She’s back in control.

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.