'I saw immediate results!' Woman sheds 5st 6lb by ditching one food from diet

Cecily, 35, struggled with her weight for years and was most frustrated as she couldn't find her clothing size in stores.

Deciding enough was enough, she decided to change her diet with the help of Limbo and also addressed lifestyle factors like how much she slept.

She said: "Using a continuous glucose monitor and coaching from a service called Limbo, I’ve been understanding how my metabolism reacts to things I do and it’s led to habit changes which aren’t just diet. Sleep, stress and other things really matter.

"I have lost 5st 6lb since starting. I am no longer classified as obese and, finally, I can shop in any store I want, and not just the handful that go beyond a UK size 16.

"I have lost almost 1kg a week and to be honest it still surprises me when the scales are down week after week because I don’t feel like I’m trying any more. I weigh myself once a week."

Getting enough sleep and cutting down on stress can also have a positive impact on weight management. This is because tiredness and stress are often hunger triggers that can cause people to reach for unhealthy snacks to give them energy.

A study referenced in UChicagoMedicine showed good sleeping habits resulted in "clinically important weight loss" results, as slimmers decreased how many calories they would consume in a day. The results could be seen in as little as two weeks.

Speaking of her motivation to start, she said: "I started Limbo in August 2023. It had been years since I dieted successfully so I really decided to commit to the process. I wore a continuous glucose monitor on my upper arm which told me how my body was reacting to different foods.

"I began to learn that foods high in sugar raised my blood glucose, prompting an insulin response in my body. I also found that this in turn eventually resulted in a low, sending me on a bit of a rollercoaster."

Cutting sugar out of her diet and eating more protein helped Cecily see the greatest results. She added: "As soon as I started eliminating most sugar from my diet I saw immediate results. I felt more energetic. I was interested in exercise, genuinely, and not as something I had to do. I had a clearer head. Anxiety was less. I had almost no hunger or cravings between meals.

"This all made it easier to stick to the plan, which was basically three meals high in protein and vegetables. I could add butter, mayonnaise, salad cream, Caesar dressing to my dishes to make them even more delicious. I never counted anything and I never felt deprived." Cecily has managed to maintain a healthy, low-sugar diet plan which has helped her stay slim.

She said: "I have stuck to my habits of savoury breakfast (usually eggs) and a big salad for lunch. I keep snacks to very dark chocolate (90% Lindt is my favourite) and I try to stick to a low-carb dinner. If I’m out with friends, I don’t worry about it too much anymore. I also have maintained a regular fitness routine."

Cecily incorporated exercise into her lifestyle and noticed her fitness improved. She said: "I am fitter. I have hiked two reasonably sized Irish mountains recently - stuff I wouldn’t have dreamed of a year ago.

"I have increased energy and less fatigue, meaning more motivation to exercise and being able to enjoy it.

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As well as losing weight, Cecily noticed other positive changes in her life. She said: "I have done things now that I only dreamed of doing a year ago. My exercise started really slow, with just walking.

"But I began some gentle strength training using Apple fitness+ programmes at home with 2kg weights. In March, I started a zero to 5km programme and completed my first race in May. Slowly, but I crossed the finish line in 38 minutes which is a good starting point for me. I hope to do another one this August."

The dieter also noticed her confidence improve and she now feels "much better in myself".

She added: "I love buying clothes now. It’s so much easier. I finally had the confidence to audition for a play with my local drama group and have now played two fantastic roles in two plays, as well as participating in some street theatre.

"The main thing is feeling so much better in myself. I enjoy life every day now. I really think the clarity of thought and energy that came with this diet change are big factors, much more so than the weight loss."

Cecily added advice for others looking to slim down and suggested changing your breakfast could be the best way to start. She said: "If you were going to change one thing change your breakfast to something high protein and low sugar. I really feel eggs set me up for the entire day."