My Journey: From Struggles to Strength – How I Lost 11 Stone

Hi everyone! If you’ve followed my posts for a while, you’ve seen the pictures and read snippets of my journey. But today, I want to go deeper and share the full story—raw, unfiltered, and real. This is about where it all began, the struggles, the triumphs, and everything in between.

It’s been an overwhelming experience recording this, and if I’m being honest, I’m a little nervous. But I believe it’s time to step out of my comfort zone and connect with you in a more personal way. So here’s my story, from the very beginning.

The Start of My Weight Loss Journey

I’ve always struggled with my weight. Over the years, I tried every diet you can imagine—Slimming World, Weight Watchers, Cambridge Diet, and even the Special K diet. While some worked temporarily, the weight always crept back on. Nothing ever stuck because, at the core, these diets weren’t sustainable for me.

By February 2022, I had hit my heaviest weight—23 stone 7 pounds. Life felt chaotic. I was a mum of three, balancing work and home life, all while grieving the loss of my dad and navigating a separation. It felt like my world was spiralling out of control. The only thing I could take charge of was my weight.

It wasn’t easy, but something inside me clicked. I remember sitting at my desk one day, utterly fed up with how I was feeling. I decided then and there that I had to take control—no more crash diets, no more extremes. Just a simple, manageable calorie deficit and a promise to myself to never give up.

The Calorie Deficit Approach

Instead of following a strict diet plan, I embraced the concept of eating fewer calories than I burned—a calorie deficit. This approach was a game-changer because it allowed me to eat the foods I loved without feeling deprived. I started by calculating my daily calorie needs using a TDEE calculator (Total Daily Energy Expenditure)​.

Initially, the idea of eating 2,200 calories a day felt like too much because I was so used to restrictive diets. But I trusted the process and began tracking everything in Nutracheck—a food-tracking app that made life easier​. Slowly but surely, the weight began to come off.

Building New Habits One Day at a Time

I didn’t change everything at once. It was all about small, sustainable changes. Here’s what helped:

• Meal by Meal: I focused on one meal at a time. Ready meals from M&S became my go-to in the early days because they were quick, easy, and labeled with clear calorie counts​.
• Walking and Steps: I didn’t start with intense workouts. Walking was my therapy. I’d park early during the school run and walk for an hour​. Over time, I added more steps and eventually started going to the gym.
• Tracking and Portion Control: Using a food scale and logging everything I ate helped me stay on track. This might sound tedious at first, but trust me—it gets easier and becomes second nature​.

The Emotional Rollercoaster

Weight loss isn’t just a physical journey; it’s a mental one too. There were days when the scale didn’t budge, and old habits tried to creep back in. But I reminded myself that this was about consistency, not perfection. Some weeks I lost several pounds; other weeks, nothing at all. I learned to be okay with that​.

I also stopped obsessing over the number on the scale. As I built strength in the gym and introduced weight training, my body changed even if the scale didn’t reflect it. I started to trust how I felt and how my clothes fit rather than a number.

Building a Supportive Community

One of the most unexpected joys of this journey has been connecting with all of you. What started as a private page between me and my sister, Rachel, quickly grew into a community of like-minded people, all supporting and encouraging each other​. You’ve become my extended family, and I couldn’t be more grateful. Click here to join our free skool community.

My Top Tips for Anyone Starting Out

If you’re at the beginning of your journey, here are a few things I wish I’d known:

• Just Start: Don’t wait for the perfect moment. There’s no magic formula—just take that first step​.
• Trust the Process: There will be ups and downs. Stay consistent and remember that small changes add up over time.
• Focus on Movement: You don’t have to run marathons. Just move a little more each day​.
• Be Kind to Yourself: This is a marathon, not a sprint. Celebrate every victory, no matter how small.

The Journey Continues

Two years later, I’ve lost 11 stone and gained a completely new perspective on life. It hasn’t been easy, but it’s been worth every step, every meal logged, and every moment of doubt overcome. This isn’t the end of my journey—it’s just the next chapter. I’m still learning and growing every day, and I’m so excited to continue sharing it with all of you.

If my story resonates with you, know that you’re not alone. You’ve got this. And I’m always here to cheer you on.

As always I am truly grateful for all the love & support you give me 🥺 💫
Sammi 🤎