'I lost 4st in four months and reversed diabetes by ditching addiction to one food'
A busy mum who splashed out £1,200 annually on her cheese obsession has shed 4st in four months without resorting to weight loss injections. Lucy Castle tipped the scales at 16st and squeezed into size 20 clothing at her peak.
The mother-of-three would nibble on junk food while managing her three sons - aged two, nine and 15. Lucy would routinely demolish an entire oven-baked Camembert accompanied by French bread, devour chunks of brie and smother her dishes in enormous portions of grated cheese.
However, when doctors delivered a type two diabetes diagnosis, Lucy received the jolt she needed and chose to attempt the 1:1 diet - having witnessed a mate give it a whirl. The programme requires consuming four substitute meals daily and enabled Lucy to slim down to a svelte 12st and size 12 within four months.
Lucy, a diet consultant and women's wellness coach from Hinckley, Leicestershire, explained: "I was a busy mum. I used to find the quickest, easiest options.
"Cheese was wrecking my life. I was spending £25 a week on different cheese. My favourite was brie. I found myself again."
Lucy was grappling to juggle her hectic maternal duties whilst maintaining a nutritious diet. She would frequently reach for convenient options - chocolate bars, crisps, cheese and takeaways.
Following the birth of her youngest son, now two, she found it difficult to shift the pregnancy weight and started wrestling with her wellbeing in March 2024. Lucy opened up about her health struggles, saying: "I wasn't feeling well. I was dizzy. I had pins and needles and would come out in sweats. I used to avoid social events, hide away in baggy clothes and I couldn't keep up with my boys."
After a visit to her GP, she received a diagnosis of type two diabetes that same month. "It was my wake-up call," Lucy admitted.
Turning to the 1:1 diet, Lucy found success with meal replacements and the support of a consultant, which kept her on track. She said: "Seeing the scales every week and my weight going down - it kept me motivated."
In just four months, Lucy slimmed down to 12st and has since maintained her weight with home-cooked meals and healthy snacks, even reversing her type two diabetes diagnosis.
While she still indulges in treats like cheese on crackers occasionally, Lucy says food no longer "controls" her life. She's now more active and can keep up with her sons.
Lucy reflected on her past difficulties: "Before I couldn't keep up with my children. My back was hurting - my knees, my hips. Now I have more energy.
"I feel so much happier, my health is back on track and I'm enjoying life with my boys more than ever. For the first time in years, I love shopping for clothes that make me feel amazing."
Now a wellness coach, Lucy is keen to motivate others on their own weight loss paths.
Lucy encouraged others: "Believe in yourself. You can do this too. Take one day at a time, stop being hard on yourself, and practice self-love. It's not just about losing weight - it's about finding you again."
Lucy's diet before
Breakfast: Toast and Weetabix
Lunch: Two cheese rolls, with cheese, two packets of crisps, and two chocolate bars
Dinner: Takeaway/pizza with extra cheese/two large jacket potatoes with cheese
Lucy's current diet
Breakfast: 1:1 porridge/Greek yoghurt and berries
Lunch: savoury pancakes/tuna salad
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