Becoming Her, Inside and Out: Mims’ Amazing 7st 11lb Journey from Self-Discovery to Transformation

Mims is the overall winner of our New You Total category in the January/February Transformation Challenge, and her story is about so much more than weight loss alone.

After years of struggling with her weight, using food to cope with life’s ups and downs, and facing serious health challenges including a stress-induced heart attack, Mims reached a turning point. Through therapy, self-understanding, and a growing sense of self-respect, she began to approach her journey in a completely different way.

Now, almost 36 weeks into her journey and 7 stone 11lbs lighter, Mims is not only transforming physically, but emotionally too. In this interview, she shares how her mindset changed, what has made this time different, and why she truly believes she is going to reach her goal.

Getting Started

Rachael: First of all, huge congratulations. You are our overall winner for the New You Total category in our January/February Transformation Challenge. How do you feel?

Mims: A bit shocked, really. I never win anything.

Rachael: What made you decide this was the right time to enter the Transformation Challenge?

Mims: Just because I could finally see a difference this time. It’s taken my brain a while to catch up with the weight loss. I finally thought, no, I do look different, so let’s go for it.

Rachael: What was it that first led you to start The New You Plan?

Mims: I’ve been overweight for my whole adult life, so I’ve tried every diet there is. I’d done another very low-calorie plan before and had some success, but I’d always end up falling off and finding it hard to get back on.

I also had some success in 2020 during lockdown, but then life happened. I went through relationship break-ups and other difficult things, and I ended up putting all the weight back on and more.

Then at the end of 2022, I had a stress-induced heart attack, which was not my best plan. I wouldn’t recommend it. At first, I didn’t have the “wake-up call” reaction people talk about. I actually sank into depression. I felt broken and guilty that I’d put my body through that.

But I was already in therapy, and I worked really hard on myself. Then I was diagnosed with autism and ADHD, and that was a real key for me. It helped me understand who I am, why I think the way I do, why I like what I like, and why I do the things I do.

That understanding changed everything. I realised I’m not this terrible person I’d always thought I was. That self-respect helped me start respecting my body too. I’d also done New You before and found the group really supportive, which helped a lot as well.

And now here I am, almost 36 weeks later and 7 stone 11 pounds lighter.

How Far She Has Come

Rachael: That is amazing. How much further do you feel you have to go?

Mims: I’d say about another six stone, but I’m going to see how it goes as I get further down. I’ve been overweight my whole adult life, so I don’t really know what I’ll look like at a slimmer weight. I just want to feel happy in myself, really.

Rachael: Have people commented on your weight loss yet?

Mims: Everyone’s been really positive so far. I live with my whole family, so they see me every day anyway, but my mum in particular is very proud of me.

When I told them I’d won, my kids were really excited too. They were probably more excited about the money, though. It’s mine!

Rachael: Have your children noticed the changes?

Mims: They don’t tend to comment much, but if I show them transformation photos, they do say, “Wow.” I think it’s harder to notice when you see someone every day.

I did have a stranger comment recently, though. A lady in a shop I go to said, “Wow, your weight loss is coming on well, isn’t it?” That definitely gave me a boost.

The Health Wake-Up Call

Rachael: You mentioned some serious health issues, including your heart attack. Have you seen your doctor since losing weight?

Mims: Yes, I saw my doctor about a month ago for an annual health check, and some of my blood work came back much better than before, so that was really good. They’re all really pleased that I’m losing weight now.

Rachael: Have you been able to come off any medication yet?

Mims: Not yet. I have resistant high blood pressure, so it is still resisting, unfortunately. But hopefully that will improve as I keep going.

Why This Time Feels Different

Rachael: What made this time different? Was there a moment where you realised, “I can really do this”?

Mims: I don’t think I had a big lightbulb moment before I started. I just thought, I’ve got nothing to lose except weight, so let’s try it and see what happens.

But I found it a lot easier this time. I think that’s because I felt more settled in myself. The last time I tried a similar plan, I was supposed to be getting married, and that put a lot of pressure on me. This time, I haven’t had a big event I wanted to lose weight for, and I think that’s helped.

I knew this time I was in it for the long haul. I really needed to make those changes. I want my outside to reflect the work I’ve done on the inside as well. That’s what keeps me going.

Rachael: That is such a powerful way of putting it.

Mims: I used to treat diets almost like punishment. If I felt low, I’d think losing weight would fix everything. I viewed plans like this in a very harsh way before. Now I see it as nourishment, and that shift has been really important.

Her Relationship With Food

Rachael: Before starting the plan, what was your relationship with food like?

Mims: I used food for everything. Sad food, stress food, happy food, Tuesday afternoon food, boredom food. Everything.

I realised that whenever I feel emotion, I feel it in the pit of my stomach. If it was a bad emotion, I wanted to push it down, and food was the obvious way to do that. I also didn’t really know who I was for a long time, so there was a bit of a void there too, and food filled that as well.

That goes back a long way for me. I was bullied in primary school until I changed schools at around age nine, so I was using food for comfort even then. It’s been a lifelong habit.

Rachael: Did your autism and ADHD diagnosis help you understand that better?

Mims: Definitely. With ADHD there’s that dopamine-seeking side of things, and for me food was a big part of that. Now, taking side-by-side photos and seeing the changes gives me that same hit instead.

The Visual Changes That Hit Home

Rachael: One of the things I love seeing in the group is your steering wheel photos. They’re such a powerful visual. How did that start?

Mims: I’d taken a photo before I started because I was embarrassed by how close I was to the steering wheel. Whatever I was wearing was rubbing on it and making a noise, and I felt really self-conscious. Then once I started losing weight and getting further away from it, I realised it was actually a really interesting way to document the change.

Rachael: Have you had to move your seat forward now?

Rachael: That must feel amazing.

Mims: I have, yes.

Mims: It really does.

Becoming Kinder to Herself

Rachael: Has this journey changed the way you see yourself and treat yourself?

Mims: Yes, definitely. I’m much more compassionate towards myself now.

Before, if I slipped up, I would beat myself up and think, “Well, I’ve ruined today, so I might as well ruin the rest of it.” I don’t think like that now. If I slip up, I just get back on track at the next meal.

I also allow myself flexibility. If my family are having a meal together, I’ll adapt it for myself. So if they’re having a roast dinner, I can still have one, I’ll just do it in a way that fits with the plan. That flexibility has made a big difference.

Doing It for Her Children

Rachael: As a single mum, did your children play a part in your decision to make these changes?

Mims: Definitely. The heart attack really frightened me into thinking, what would happen if I wasn’t here anymore?

That didn’t trigger the changes straight away, but once the depression started lifting, I realised I had to do everything I could to be here for as long as I can. I don’t want anything bad to happen to me because I’m still overweight, especially when there are things I can change. I want to still be here when I’m 407.

Rachael: What kind of example do you hope you’re setting for them now?

Mims: Just the importance of looking after themselves and making good choices. Not just with food, but in life in general. Moderation matters too. You can have the things you want, just don’t go overboard.

More Energy, More Presence, More Life

Rachael: What has changed in your day-to-day life since losing over seven stone?

Mims: I have more energy, definitely. My mobility still isn’t great because of other health conditions, but I do feel more present than I was before.

My middle child likes going for walks, so we do that together, which is lovely. I’ve even been getting the kids to help me take videos when I’m out walking so I can document the journey. They get embarrassed sometimes if we’re in public, but that’s part of the fun.

The Biggest Lesson She Has Learned

Rachael: What do you think this journey has taught you most?

Mims: The importance of mindset, really. If you get the opportunity to work on how you feel in yourself, everything else follows.

I always thought if I lost weight, the mental health side would improve afterwards. But for me, it’s actually been the other way around. Working on myself mentally is what made this possible.

No Longer Hiding Away

Rachael: Has anything else changed in life that has really stood out to you?

Mims: I’m not hiding away from people anymore.

I still think my brain is catching up, because sometimes I still feel like I’m as big as I used to be, even though I know I’m not. But before, I would stay in the car, hide in another room if people came round, or avoid seeing people I hadn’t seen in a while because I was so embarrassed.

I’m not doing that now, and that’s probably one of the biggest changes of all.

Advice for Anyone Thinking of Starting

Rachael: What would you say to someone who is struggling with health issues, mobility or confidence and is thinking about starting The New You Plan?

Mims: I’d say do it. You’ve got nothing to lose but weight.

And if it doesn’t work for you right now, that’s okay too. Come back later. But there are so many ways to do the plan that there’s bound to be something that works for you. Even if you only start with one product a day, that’s still a start.

I’ve got a Fitbit now that tells me off if I haven’t moved for a while, and I make sure I’m doing at least 500 steps an hour. Even little things like that help. Just start somewhere, and the rest will follow.

Rachael: One step at a time.

Mims: Exactly. One foot in front of the other. Some people get discouraged by losing only a pound a week, but it all adds up. Every day you do the plan is another day closer to your goal. Time is going to pass anyway, so you might as well do it.

Top Tips for the First Week

Rachael: What would be your top tips for someone in their first week on plan?

Mims: The more you drink, the more you shrink. Water is key. I definitely notice if I haven’t had enough.

I won’t lie, it is annoying needing the loo more often, but it works. Spacing your products out is important too, although that’s something you have to tweak and work out for yourself. I tend to leave my first product until lunchtime, and I’ve also tried a bit of intermittent fasting, which seems to work for me.

The flavourings are really helpful too. The tropical one is my favourite. I use them to make jellies as well, and sometimes gummies. I also cut bars into little pieces and pick at them through the evening.

Learning How to Handle Food Differently

Rachael: What has this journey taught you about food and what maintenance might look like in future?

Mims: I’m much more conscious now about what I’m putting into my body, and I hope that will help me when I get to maintenance.

I track everything on MyFitnessPal, especially if I’m doing a Switch day or a refeed, because I want to learn what I’m doing with real food too. I’m paying more attention to protein, fibre and keeping carbs lower.

It really is about using food for fuel and nourishment now, instead of using it for literally everything else.

I also gave up smoking almost four years ago and replaced nicotine with baked goods, which obviously didn’t help my weight. So unlearning those responses has been really important.

And for me, being on Total helps because it takes a lot of food decisions away. I struggle with decisions, so being able to simplify it down to “which pack do I want today?” really helps.

Fitting the Plan Around Busy Life

Rachael: Has The New You Plan worked well with your busy routine?

Mims: Yes, definitely. I always keep water flavourings and bars in the car, and I often keep other products with me too.

I do a 60-mile round trip twice a day taking my son to school, so I’m in the car a lot. That used to be a time when I would eat all sorts of things. Now I just keep plan-friendly products in there and I’m ready for whatever the day throws at me. It’s especially helpful if I get stuck in traffic.

Mobility, Movement and Looking Ahead

Rachael: Has your mobility improved at all?

Mims: A bit, yes. It’s frustrating because I’ve got more energy now, but my body doesn’t always cooperate with that yet. But I have been walking more, and I bought a walking pad so I can do half an hour in the evenings while watching TV.

I don’t walk very fast, but movement is movement, and I’m hoping that side of things will keep improving.

The Community Support That Helped Her Keep Going

Rachael: How have you found the community?

Mims: Brilliant. I joined straight away and everybody has been so supportive and encouraging.

People always say lovely things about my transformation photos, and I still find it strange when people say I’m inspirational. I’m like, “What, me?” But it is really nice.

When I first started, seeing people who had lost a lot of weight really helped me. I had 14 stone to lose when I began, and that felt like such a mountain. But now, six months later, it feels more like a steep hill than a mountain. That makes a huge difference.

Rachael: Has anyone in particular inspired you in the groups?

Mims: Carolyn definitely stands out. She’s maintaining and doing amazingly. She’s always really encouraging, always has brilliant ideas and hacks, and she shares such helpful things. I love seeing what she posts.

What She Says When Weight Loss Slows Down

Rachael: What would you say to someone who has been on plan a while and is starting to feel discouraged because things have slowed down?

Mims: Refeeds are really helpful for me. They give me a bit more flexibility and a few more calories to work with, and they usually help give me a bit of a reset.

I also remind myself that one or two pounds a week is still a good rate of loss. That’s still progress. It all counts.

I’ve also bought some healthy cookbooks and I’m planning some high-protein, high-fibre, lower-carb meals for refeeds, so I’m trying to be prepared and make that side of it work for me too.

Progress, Not Perfection

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

Mims: Progress, not perfection.

Before, I wasn’t successful because I put far too much pressure on myself to be perfect. Nobody does this plan perfectly all the time. You are going to slip up sometimes because you’re human.

As long as I’m making progress, that’s what matters. I’ve only had one week where I put on weight, and that was Christmas. Every other week, I’ve lost something. Even if it’s only half a pound, if it’s going down, I call that a win.

Rewarding Herself in New Ways

Rachael: Do you have something in mind to reward yourself with when you reach your goal?

Mims: I really want to apply to go on The Chase because I’ve got a big crush on Bradley Walsh and I’d quite like to meet him.

I’ve also bought clothes that I want to get into. I’ve got them hanging up in my bedroom where I can see them, so getting into those will feel really special.

Rachael: Have you rewarded yourself along the way too?

Mims: Not really, because I used to reward myself with food and I’m actively not doing that now.

Instead, I’ve been trying to save the money I would have spent on baked goods, chocolate and extras, and put that towards a wardrobe fund. I know I’m going to need a lot of new clothes.

The Non-Scale Wins That Matter

Rachael: Have you found you’re saving money too?

Mims: Definitely. I used to buy coffee, sandwiches and extra bits while I was out, and those little spends added up quickly. It all seemed small at the time, but it really wasn’t.

Bread was one of my biggest downfalls too, so not constantly throwing those extras into the food shop has definitely made a difference to my budget.

Rachael: Have things like loose clothes really helped you see the changes?

Mims: Definitely. A lot of the clothes I wear in my progress photos are the same ones I wore at the start, but they hang completely differently now. They’re so much longer on me because there’s less of me to cover.

That’s been a really helpful visual.

Why Photos and Measurements Matter

Rachael: Do you think photos are an important part of the journey?

Mims: Definitely. I usually take them weekly, just to see whether there’s a difference. Sometimes if I’m feeling especially slim one day, I’ll take one then too.

I try not to overdo it because sometimes I’ve felt disappointed, and of course fat moves around and bloating can affect things. But I do think you need something visual, whether that’s photos or measurements.

I’ve recently started cutting string to match my measurements every four weeks, so I can actually see the size difference getting smaller. That’s been really powerful too.

What Goal Life Looks Like to Her

Rachael: What do you think you’ll feel when you finally reach goal?

Mims: Probably disbelief. I’ve never been slim in my adult life. I’ve had success before, but this is the most successful I’ve ever been.

I really believe I’m going to get there this time. I know I’m going to get there. But I still think when I do, I’ll just be standing there thinking, “I actually did it.”

Rachael: Is there anything you’d love to do at goal that you can’t really do comfortably right now?

Mims: Yes, definitely. My son is desperate to go to Scotland, and that would involve lots of walking, so I’d love to be able to do that properly.

I’d also like to get back on a bike again. My kids enjoy cycling, and at the moment I’m normally walking behind them like a winded rhinoceros.

And I’d really love to go ice skating again. I used to skate when I was a teenager, and I wouldn’t attempt it at the moment, but once I get to goal, I’d love to do that again.

Final Thoughts

Mims’ story is a powerful reminder that transformation is about so much more than the number on the scales.

Yes, she has lost an incredible 7 stone 11lbs so far, but what really stands out is the shift in how she sees herself, how she cares for herself, and how she is building a future that looks completely different from the past.

Her story is about mindset, self-respect, progress over perfection, and finally believing that lasting change is possible.

And with another chapter of her journey still to come, one thing is certain: Mims is not done yet.

Could You Be Our Next Winner?

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 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.

Your story could be next.

Start your journey. Share your story. Become the New You. 💙