Sept/Oct Overall Winner: Rachel Lost Almost 12st* & Won £3000!
Every now and then, a transformation comes along that stops you in your tracks, not just because of the jaw-dropping “before and after” photos, but because of the honesty, humour and sheer courage behind it. Our Sept/Oct Overall Winner, Rachel, is one of those stories.
After years of hiding away at home, avoiding social situations, giving up the hobbies she loved and feeling trapped by her weight, Rachel made the decision to go “all in” with The New You Plan. In just 18 months, she’s lost almost 12st*, rediscovered her confidence, returned to her music, started travelling again and learned how to live rather than just exist.
Her commitment didn’t just change her life; it also earned her the title of Sept/Oct Transformation Story Challenge Overall Winner and a £3000 cash prize. To make this moment even more special, Rachel was interviewed by someone who understands exactly what that feels like – last year’s £10K Grand Finale winner, Rachael.
This conversation is real, relatable and incredibly inspiring. Rachel’s story shows what’s possible when you decide you’re done sitting on the sidelines.
Here is her story…
The Winning Moment
Rachael: How did it feel to get the call to say that you were a Transformation Challenge winner?
Rachel: When Grant called me, Jamie, my husband, and I were out on a walk at lunchtime. And it was weird because I’d been thinking about something else. I was thinking about my mum, actually. She hasn’t been particularly well over the last few months, and I was thinking about all her. And since July, every time my phone rings, I’m automatically panicking.
So we’re on this walk on this quiet stretch of path, and my phone starts ringing… instant panic mode.
I don’t recognise the number. I’m thinking, Do I pick the phone up? Is it spam?
So when I picked it up and it was him, it was like going from one emotion all the way to the other in seconds. It was surreal. We just stood there in this park. People were walking past as I’m crying, probably thinking Jamie had upset me!
And for about a week afterwards, I kept randomly saying, “I won £3000.” Watching TV? “I won £3000.” It’s weird.
How It All Began
Rachael: Tell me a little about your journey – how much you’ve lost, how you found New You and how you decided on the plan.
Rachel: Well, I did a round of New You in 2015 and lost quite a lot of weight.
Unfortunately – and this is a lesson I learned this time – when I was no longer in the mindset to continue with Total Food Replacement, instead of maintaining what I’d already lost, I was so focused on trying to get back on to lose the rest that I got stuck in this cycle of “last meal” binging.
Lots happened in those 9 years. But I knew it worked for me. My body responds really well to this type of diet. I don’t do well with conventional diets. I’m lazy – I like things simple and quick, especially when you have a substantial amount of weight to lose. A pound a week? It would take a lifetime.
Some stuff happened in early 2024 and I hit a point where I thought: I can’t keep doing this.
After my 43rd birthday, I just said, “I don’t want another birthday like this.” So I dove back in.
I started an initial 12 weeks from June to September 2024 and lost about 6st. I was massively focused on a trip we had booked to Alaska. There was no way I could do Alaska at 32st. It would’ve been a waste.
The trip was incredible. I wasn’t where I wanted to be, but it meant the trip was something else.
Then, much like last time, I couldn’t get back into the Total mindset. But this time I’d learned: instead of spiralling, I decided to maintain until I was ready. Revolutionary for me! I’ve always been boom or bust.
Then May this year came, then my 44th birthday, and I still wasn’t where I wanted to be. So June swung round and off we went for part two.
Now we’re on part three. Seven or eight weeks into my third twelve-week block of Total Food Replacement.
Doing the Journey With Her Husband
Rachael: Your husband is doing it with you, isn’t he?
Rachel: Yes. So he started with me last year. He tried Total but prefers Switch. The good thing is, he cooks all his own food, so I don’t have to handle food at all.
We’re actually very close in weight now! From a 5st 7lbs difference to only 7lbs between us. There’s a little competition. It’s inevitable that I’ll pass him.
Life Before New You: “I Didn’t Really Have a Life”
Rachael: You’ve lost almost 12st! How has your life changed?
Rachel: To understand how different things are, I need to tell you what life was like before:
I didn’t really have a life. I didn’t leave the house unless I really had to. I work from home, so I never went anywhere. I wouldn’t even answer the door to food deliveries – Jamie did it. I wouldn’t see anyone. I stopped seeing my parents. I gave up music; I couldn’t imagine being on stage with people looking at me.
I lived a hermit life, which fuelled anxiety, depression, a bit of agoraphobia. I only went places I deemed “safe” – where I wouldn’t be looked at or where seats were wide enough. If we travelled, I needed to know the shower size, the toilet type… everything.
Now? I don’t think about those things anymore.
Physically, I can do so much more. The other day I walked 3 miles in 56 minutes – previously unheard of. But it’s the mental weight that’s lifted the most.
On a recent Lake District trip, I slipped between tables at a restaurant without thinking. Before, Jamie would’ve had to pull the table out for me. The whole trip was full of tiny victories.
In Brighton on a hen weekend, I got into a cubicle shower and shut the door… without even thinking. That was huge.
Even my brass band rehearsals, I now have a lap for my cornet! I didn’t even realise until it happened.
Next up: I’m excited to fly without needing a seatbelt extension.
Why New You Works
Rachael: What’s your favourite thing about the New You Plan?
Rachel: High-level answer? Caramel Shake. I make it into ice cream and have it 3 times a week!
But honestly? The simplicity. It is simple, but it’s also exceptionally hard because removing food shows how much of your life revolves around it: celebrations, sadness, adverts, habit triggers.
It’s hard, but also incredibly freeing. You don’t count calories or macros. You have your four or five packs and drink your water. That’s it.
The first few days are horrible – withdrawal from carbs, sugar, dairy, takeaway life. But after about five days? Euphoria. A mental high. My brain feels clearer. My work is easier. I don’t have to reread things twenty-seven times to understand them.
The Power of Secret Slimmers
Rachael: Has the power of the Secret Slimmers community helped you?
Rachel: I’ve been in the group since 2015. Even when I wasn’t on plan, I would lurk. When I came back last year, some remembered me, but I didn’t want to talk about “before.” That’s my past. This is now.
Recently I’ve posted more and found it really helpful, even just as accountability. I love seeing others’ posts, good days and bad days. It shows the journey isn’t linear.
As a woman, I also love that it’s a safe space. Weight-loss influencers online get destroyed in comment sections. Secret Slimmers is supportive, kind, honest.
And I’m loving the challenges, especially the walking challenge. I’ve walked every single day for 51 days, even in Storm Claudia!
Summing Up Her Journey
Rachael: How would you sum up your journey in 3 words?
Rachel: Absolutely life changing.
Even with 5st left to lose, everything is different. 18 months ago life was dark – I faced redundancy again, spiralled, worried about getting another job when I couldn’t face going out. But an eleventh-hour job offer came through, and that was it. I knew I couldn’t keep repeating the same cycle.
Alaska was my motivation. Hawaii is my next one – we’re going in February. I’m excited to fly without fear.
Your New You Starts Now
Rachel’s story started with one decision. Yours can too.
- Simple 4 packs a day system
- Fast, structured results
- Supportive community to cheer you on
Feeling inspired? Enter the 2025 Transformation Story Challenge
Inspired by Rachel’s incredible journey? It’s time to write your own success story! Our 2025 Transformation Story Challenge continues, with an astounding £52,000 in cash prizes up for grabs!
Cash Prizes To Help You Thrive – £52,000 Up for Grabs
This year, we’re giving away £52K in cash. Every 2 months, £7,000 cash will be won for our absolute favourite glow-ups:
- 1 Overall Winner will WIN £3000 cash
- 4 Runners-Up will each WIN £1000 cash
And the grand finale? An epic £10,000 cash prize for one overall winner!
Final 2 Deadlines of 2025
There are just two chances left to enter this year:
- The £10,000 Grand Finale – submit by Sunday 30th November 2025
- Nov & Dec: End 2025 Strong – submit by Wednesday 31st December 2025
You don’t have to be at your goal to enter. In fact, entering each time can keep you motivated and on track to achieving your goal. And if you’re already at your goal and maintaining your weight loss, you can enter too!
