Angela Lost 2½ Stone, Wore Her Bikini With Pride and Won £1,000 Cash!

For years, Angela kept a little notebook of every diet she tried. Every plan, every weigh-in, every measurement, going back to 2016.

And too often, the scales went the wrong way, even when she had done everything right.

One morning, after yet another gain, she turned to her husband Steve and said four words that changed everything: “I’m not broken.”

Not long after, a New You Plan ad appeared on her Facebook feed. Steve’s response? “Why not? You’ve tried everything else.”

Today, Angela’s New You Plan success story includes 2½ stone lost since February, a bikini worn proudly on the beach, and a half marathon finished 35 minutes faster than before. She’s also one of our July/August Transformation Challenge runners-up, winning £1,000 cash.

In this interview with Jo from our Customer Services team, Angela shares how she went from hiding from mirrors to waking up excited every single day.

“I’m Not Broken”

Jo: Congratulations on being one of our runners-up, Angela! What was happening in your life before you started, and how were you feeling?

Angela: I was very sad and very embarrassed about how I looked, and it’s only now that I realise that’s how I felt. I never looked in mirrors and I didn’t go out. Twenty years ago I was the size I am now, then I got married and gained weight.

I keep a little notebook of every plan and diet I’ve tried, with what I weighed and measured, going back to 2016. So I know how long it’s been going on. I tried loads. Then in 2021 I got on the scales and I hadn’t lost any weight, I’d gained. I’d done nothing wrong. That happened so often that my husband would slide under the duvet and say, “Oh, it’s going to be one of those days.”

Jo: Was there a moment when you thought, right, something needs to change?

Angela: I got on the scales one day and it had gone up by a few pounds. I turned to Steve and said, “I’m not broken.” That’s what was in my mind. There was something I was doing that wasn’t right. Then one day an ad came up on Facebook for New You Plan. I said to Steve, “Shall I try?” He said, “Why not? You’ve tried everything else.” So I joined, and here I am today.

Crisps, Cakes and a Two-Minute Routine

Jo: What was your first week like?

Angela: Easier than I expected. I was so surprised at how good the packs tasted. There was only one I didn’t love, but everything else was, “Oh, this is nice.” I was sat there eating my microwave cakes, biscuits and crisps, and Steve said, “This isn’t going to work. You can’t eat crisps and lose weight.” And we proved him wrong!

Jo: What does a typical day look like for you?

Angela: I get up and have a black coffee, then water until about twelve, and in that time I’ve had a walk or a run. I run three to four times a week. Then I have my first pack, another around half two or three, and my last pack or snack about 8pm. I drink most of my water in the morning so I sleep well.

Jo: What are your favourite packs and snacks?

Angela: The Banana Shake is one of my favourites. I love the Crisps, especially the Cheddar Cheese ones, and the high-protein Wafers. And the Muesli. I have it in a bowl with a spoon, and it’s just like having a normal breakfast. Actually, it is my normal breakfast now!

Jo: How do you manage family meals and holidays?

Angela: At family meals, I have a protein meal and say I’ve had enough. I don’t need a pudding, I’m really full. On holiday, I stashed my packs in my suitcase. They’re really easy.

Before New You, a Christmas meal would go on till the end of February. Snacks, picking, blips. Now I have the protein meal and I’m straight back on plan the next day. That’s a massive change in my mindset.

“If Tessa Can Do It, So Can I”

Jo: What has the community been like? Has anyone helped you along the way?

Angela: Everybody is so positive and helpful. Two people really inspired me: Tessa and Mims. When Tessa posted her “I Did It” pictures, I thought, that’s fantastic. They’ve both had such long journeys, and you just want to cheer them on: go, girl, keep going!

When I first started, I lost around two stone in three months. Then I did a refeed and didn’t quite get back on plan. I was on and off. Then this February I saw something Tessa posted and thought, right, it’s my turn. I’ve lost another 2½ stone since. She inspired me to get to my goal weight.

Jo: And it helps that Tessa is still in the group, maintaining.

Angela: That’s really important to me. If she can do it, so can I. Maintenance has always been a problem for me, but I know New You Plan works. When I get to my goal, I’ll still have my packs, a protein meal and a few other things. And if I need to lose a couple of pounds, I know what to do: four packs, water, a snack and walking.

Jo: What have you learned about yourself?

Angela: Because I don’t have to plan or cook food, choosing my packs takes two minutes in the morning. That’s given me lots of time to learn how my body works. I’ve worked out that sugar is my downfall, so I keep it out of the house. When I’ve stuck to plan, I haven’t had cravings, and that really helps.

Bikinis, Half Marathons and a Brand-New Coat

Jo: What’s been your favourite non-scale victory?

Angela: Wearing a bikini on holiday a month ago! I’m not the youngest person on the beach, but I didn’t care. My bikini fitted, and it’s a small one. I walked along the beach with no top, no trousers, just my bikini, and I loved it.

Jo: And the nicest compliment?

Angela: My husband. He said, “I’m so proud of you for believing you could do it and sticking with it.”

Jo: Tell us about your running!

Angela: I’ve been running since I was 20, doing half marathons and things. Since losing the weight, I’ve got quicker. Three years ago I ran a half marathon, and a month ago I ran another and knocked 35 minutes off my time. I’m so proud of myself. Next, I’m aiming for under two hours!

Jo: How did you feel when I called to say you were a runner-up?

Angela: Shocked! I wasn’t expecting a prize. I just thought maybe I could inspire one other person who has dieted for years like me. I was so happy and excited. Now I’m excited every day. I get up, choose my clothes, go walking. I’m like a little child again.

Jo: What will you spend your winnings on?

Angela: Probably clothes and running gear, and maybe a little break in the sunshine so I can wear the bikini again. But I definitely need a new winter coat. I tried my old one on and I could fit two of me in it! And some new trainers.

Jo: What are you most proud of?

Angela: Me! For sticking with it and keeping on trying. But it’s been quite easy with the plan. You get up, choose your favourite foods, eat them, go for a walk, drink your water. Done. It’s so easy and so enjoyable.

Jo: What would you say to yourself the day before you started?

Angela: Keep trying. Don’t give up. Eventually it clicks, and then it’s just one meal at a time, then one day at a time.

Before, the extra weight was stopping me, and I didn’t even know it. I thought I was happy. The real me wasn’t allowed out, because I was so miserable and embarrassed. Now that person is out there, chatting to people, going out, doing things. I’ve got so much energy, that’s why I’m running and sprinting. It’s brilliant.

Ready To Start Your Own Transformation?

Angela’s story is proof that it’s never too late to stop trying the next diet and start choosing yourself.

From years of diet notebooks and hiding from mirrors, to losing 2½ stone, wearing her bikini with pride, and running her fastest half marathon, this is what becoming your New You is all about.

Simple system. Four packs a day. Real results.

Cash Prizes To Help You 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:

• 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.