Latest news with #CambridgeDiet
The Sun
26-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- The Sun
I lost 4st in 4 months using the 1:1 method – my friends branded me ‘boring'… but that wasn't the worst part
RELYING on takeaways after having twins saw 43-year-old Maria Simpson's weight balloon. But a chance meeting saw her life – and her body – undergo a dramatic transformation. 6 6 6 LOOKING back at pictures of the 16-year-old me, you would never imagine I would one day hit 19st with a BMI that made me 'morbidly obese'. After following what was initially a pretty brutal, calorie-restricting diet plan, I feel like a new woman - but there's one thing I wish I'd known before I started. Resetting my eating habits and mindset could completely transform my health, happiness, and energy, if I persevered. Thanks to the 1:1 diet – alternatively known as the Cambridge Diet – I've shed a total of 4st. With summer approaching, calorie-controlled diets like the 1:1 are popular with those wanting to slim down quickly ahead of their holidays, with more than 5,000 videos posted to TikTok. At 5ft 8in and 10st, I was a tall, slim teen who didn't have to think much about what I was eating. Although I lived in Corby, Northants., I came from a Serbian family where the dining table was the heart of our home. But I was still slender when I met my husband, maintenance manager Chris, also 43, at school when we were both 16. When I got my first job aged 18, at a call centre, I developed a love for cooking. Over two years, my weight went from 10st to 13st, so I went to Weight Watchers and fought hard to get the extra pounds off. By 21, I was down to 10.5st, but then Chris and I moved in together and I started a spiral of yo-yo dieting, where my weight gradually increased each time. There wasn't a diet I didn't try – from Slimming World to the watercress soup diet, where you basically just eat watercress and stock. I even bought slimming pills from eBay, which I now know can be incredibly dangerous. Chris, who is 5ft 10in and naturally slim, proposed when I was 26 and I was desperate to be slimmer for the wedding. I ran every morning and even started working out with a personal trainer. But despite this – and gruesome breakfasts of low-fat cottage cheese – I only shed 2st. I was 13.5st when I married Chris, aged 27, and immediately came off the pill, eager to have children. But, having quit my pre-wedding diet, I soon swelled in size to 15st. My neck was huge and I struggled to pull clothes over my head. Terrified, I went to my GP and demanded blood tests. There wasn't a diet I didn't try – from Slimming World to the watercress soup diet, where you basically just eat watercress and stock I thought I had a breakthrough when it turned out I had an underactive thyroid. I was put on the drug thyroxine to stabilise it, but despite this, I remained the same weight. It took me three years to fall pregnant naturally with my twins, Sophia and Caine, now 13. Pregnancy, and especially twin pregnancy, didn't love my body and my weight shot up to 19st. I'm not sure what dress size I was, but I was still wearing maternity leggings when the twins were four. 6 6 I felt heavy, tired and gross. I would sit at baby groups and stare at the glamorous mums, conscious I was sweating from every pore, feeling like a big fat lump. And motherhood, while amazing, was exhausting. Deep in the trenches, Chris and I would grab the kids' leftovers or treat ourselves to takeaways. I tricked myself into believing I was getting the healthy version of things, but I wasn't. 'Push through it' At 33, I fulfilled a lifelong ambition of training to be a nail technician. I loved the work, but at the salon the other trainees were a decade younger and all slim. 'I'm the old, fat one,' I'd cry to Chris as he reassured me he loved me as I was. But it was also a turning point, because at a beauty convention in Birmingham I met Jacqui Lewis, a 1:1 diet coach. Initially I was sceptical, as I had tried every diet under the sun, but she was persistent. Jacqui explained that the 1:1 diet was a meal replacement plan, with constant support from a personal consultant. The daily calorie limit was 800, with each replacement meal worth 200 each. The 5 best exercises to lose weight By Lucy Gornall, personal trainer and health journalist EXERCISE can be intimidating and hard to devote yourself to. So how do you find the right workout for you? As a PT and fitness journalist, I've tried everything. I've taken part in endless fitness competitions, marathons and I maintain a regime of runs, strength training and Pilates. Fitness is so entrenched in my life, I stick to it even at Christmas! The key is finding an activity you love that can become a habit. My top five forms of exercise, especially if you're trying to lose weight, are: Walking Running Pilates High-intensity interval training (HIIT) Strength training For four months from July 2016, I had a pleasant-tasting banana shake for breakfast, vanilla shake for lunch and a 200-calorie dinner such as chicken salad, tuna steak with green beans, or omelette with salad. I'd also have a 200-calorie chocolate protein bar, taking my daily calorie total up to 800. There are more than 40 different products to choose from, but back then I just wanted to keep it simple. Tea and coffee was unlimited and that was important, as I needed my coffee to get me through the day. You were allowed 50ml of skimmed milk a day on top, so that went in the coffee. The 1:1 diet cost me £50 per week and Jacqui would come to weigh me every fortnight at my house. I'll be honest. It wasn't easy immediately. On day two, I started thinking obsessively about Domino's pizza, and on day three, I felt so hungry. Then I remembered all the red wine I wouldn't be allowed to drink again. 'Push through it,' I thought, as Chris and the kids continued to eat their own, normal meals. Now I eat between 1,500 and 1,800 calories a day and it's always healthy, fresh food – a blend of vegetables, fibre and protein And I'm so glad I did, because by day four, I woke up feeling like a new woman. And eight weeks later I could pass the Indian takeaway without salivating. Amazingly, I lost 2st in two months and my clothes were getting looser. However, not everyone was supportive. One acquaintance berated me for not boozing. 'You're boring now,' she moaned. What she didn't realise was that for years and years I had been sad inside. Over the next eight weeks I lost another 2st, taking only one night off to celebrate mine and Chris' seventh wedding anniversary at an italian restaurant. It was an amazing feeling. I hadn't been so slim since my teens. You might think I would feel peckish, but astonishingly I didn't. After four months, my eating habits had effectively been reset. I had lost 4st, my brain felt clearer and my energy was restored. Now I eat between 1,500 and 1,800 calories a day and it's always healthy, fresh food – a blend of vegetables, fibre and protein. If my plate's not colourful, I'm not happy. Before it had one hue: beige. Occasionally, for example after Christmas when I'll indulg e in festive food, I'll go back on the plan. But it's not a permanent fixture of my life. I've also embraced exercise, something I didn't do before. I love going to the gym where I'll do a little cardio and then weight training, and going for long walks with my family. My weight has never affected how Chris has been with me – he's loved me at every size, as cheesy as that sounds. I did ask him when I first lost weight if he preferred the 'new me' and he said: 'I've always thought you're beautiful, but what I like most since you've lost weight is that you're more confident.' The plan proved so successful I now weigh 11st 11lb and wear a size 12. I get compliments from people about how I look, but it's not really about that. It's about feeling healthier and happier. And I enjoyed taking part so much that I became a 1:1 consultant, advising people on how to do it. There's nothing more fulfilling than seeing someone who swears blind it's impossible to lose weight actually do it. A decade ago I thought I would be big and unhappy forever. Now I'm proof that if I can do it, anyone can. MARIA'S DIET BEFORE: Breakfast: Coffee with full-fat milk, two sugars, white toast and butter. Lunch: Cheese sandwich or panini, with a share-size bag of crisps. Snacks: Snickers – one or two bars a day. Dinner: Pizza or Indian takeaway. Drinks: Red wine at the weekend. MARIA'S DIET AFTER: Breakfast: Two boiled eggs. Lunch: Vegetable soup, or salad with eggs or chicken. Snacks: None. Dinner: Grilled chicken or beef with roasted vegetables. Drinks: 3 to 4 litres of water, two coffees with skimmed milk. 6
News18
22-06-2025
- Health
- News18
Bullied For Her Weight, This Woman Beat The Odds With Her 'Nozempic' Diet Journey
Last Updated: This 53-year-old woman, who once battled sugar addiction and low self-worth, is leading a healthy lifestyle transformation without relying on weight loss injections or crash diets. At 53, Sarah Jane Clark is defying all odds and expectations. Once warned by doctors that she was 'eating herself to death," Sarah now stands as the face of a growing movement she proudly calls the 'Nozempic Revolution" – a healthy lifestyle transformation without relying on jabs or crash diets. From a young age, Sarah battled sugar addiction and low self-worth. Her mornings began with chocolate bars and sugary sodas, and by the time she reached adulthood, she weighed over 130 kg. Bullied at school for her weight and appearance, she remembers being told things like, 'You'd be pretty if you weren't fat." One comment about her legs being like 'rugby players' tree trunks" haunted her for years. By 14, she attempted her first diet – the low-calorie Cambridge Diet, but it led to binge eating. By 25, her health had deteriorated. Diagnosed with PCOS, chronic fatigue, and having lost her periods, doctors warned she might not live to see 40. But Sarah didn't give up. She ditched unsustainable plans and instead adopted five clear, simple rules – what she now calls her Nozempic Diet. No injections, no extremes. Just real changes. So, what did Sarah Jane Clark's Nozempic Diet include? Speaking to Sun Health, she shared, 'If a food had more than five ingredients, I didn't eat it." As her habits changed, so did her mindset. In 16 months, she dropped seven stones (about 45kg). After having two children, she stayed consistent, going from size 28 to size 10. Eventually, her walks turned into runs. She has now completed 50 half marathons and two London marathons. 'I was told I wouldn't live to see 40. For my 40th, I ran a 5K Race for Life," she says with pride. Her transformation didn't just lead to a healthier body; it led her to love. She met her husband, Paul Flounders, through their shared passion for running. And for those thinking injections alone will fix everything? Sarah's advice is clear: 'You can't just inject yourself and love yourself. It's not the miracle people think it is." Today, weighing 62 kg, Sarah is living proof that consistency beats shortcuts, and it's never too late to rewrite your story. First Published: June 22, 2025, 17:15 IST
Time of India
15-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Woman reveals how she lost over 75kg with her ‘Nozempic' diet: No jabs, just 5 simple lifestyle rules
A Diet Born from Desperation, Driven by Discipline You Might Also Like: 89 kg weight loss without crash diets or overtraining: Woman shares 5 lifestyle changes you can start today From Running from Shame to Running Marathons 'You Can't Inject Self-Love' You Might Also Like: Weight loss plan for busy professions: Reduce belly fat in 7 days with her 20-minute walking technique After enduring years of brutal bullying and heartbreaking taunts—being told she'd 'be pretty if she wasn't so fat'—Sarah Jane Clark, now 53, is the face of what she calls the 'Nozempic' revolution. While many are turning to weight loss injections, Sarah Jane took a different route, rooted not in medication but in five sustainable lifestyle shifts. And the transformation was anything but in over 130 kg, Sarah Jane had become dependent on sugar from a young age, her mornings starting with Cadbury buttons and Coca-Cola. She says emotional neglect and a sugar-rich upbringing created a deep-seated food addiction . Speaking to Sun Health, she recalls how her childhood was littered with micro-traumas about her appearance: boys telling her she had 'rugby player legs' or that she 'could be pretty if she weren't fat.' These comments stuck, burrowing into her trying the Cambridge Diet in her teens, her addiction to sweets prevailed. By 25, her body was failing—her periods had stopped, she was diagnosed with PCOS, suffered chronic fatigue, and was warned she wouldn't make it to 40. That was the turning point. 'Doctors told me I was eating myself to death,' she told. It wasn't a jab or a crash diet that turned her life around—but five simple rules, what she now refers to as her Nozempic Jane's initial changes were modest: 30-minute walks and more water. She stopped ordering takeaways and began eliminating processed foods. 'If a food had more than five ingredients, I didn't eat it,' she says. It wasn't a diet, she insists, but a change in mindset—one that got stronger with each small victory. 'The healthier I became, the healthier I wanted to be,' she time, the results were stunning. Within 16 months, she had lost 7 stone. After giving birth to her two children, Chloe and Jack, she maintained the momentum. From a size 28, she slimmed down to a size 10. But the changes weren't just physical—Sarah Jane also found the confidence to reclaim her identity and her began as daily walks evolved into a full-blown fitness journey. Today, Sarah Jane has completed 50 half-marathons and two London Marathons. Her fitness brand , Step by Step With Sarah Jane, now inspires others to transform without medical intervention. 'I was told I wouldn't live to see 40. For my 40th birthday, I ran a 5K Race for Life,' she says at a healthy 62kg, she's been at her goal weight for five years—and even found love along the way. She met her now-husband Paul Flounders through their mutual passion for running. 'He said I was amazing,' she says. 'I couldn't believe he thought that. I never saw myself that way.'While weight loss injections have gained a following, Sarah Jane urges caution. 'You can't just inject yourself and love yourself,' she says, warning that many people treat the jab as a fix-all without addressing the psychological roots of food addiction. 'I see people on jabs still eating crap food. It's not the miracle people think it is.'Her five simple rules? Walk 30 minutes daily, drink more water, eliminate ultra-processed foods, find joy in exercise, and skip the jabs. 'Educate yourself about what you're eating. Read the ingredients. And if food has more than five ingredients—don't eat it,' she advises.
Economic Times
15-06-2025
- Health
- Economic Times
Woman reveals how she lost over 75kg with her ‘Nozempic' diet: No jabs, just 5 simple lifestyle rules
Sarah Jane Clark lost over 75kg without weight-loss jabs, crediting her 'Nozempic' lifestyle—walking daily, eating clean, and ditching processed foods. After years of bullying, food addiction, and serious health warnings, she turned her life around. (Screenshot: Instagram/stepbystepwithsarahjaneinsta) After enduring years of brutal bullying and heartbreaking taunts—being told she'd 'be pretty if she wasn't so fat'—Sarah Jane Clark, now 53, is the face of what she calls the 'Nozempic' revolution. While many are turning to weight loss injections, Sarah Jane took a different route, rooted not in medication but in five sustainable lifestyle shifts. And the transformation was anything but ordinary. Weighing in over 130 kg, Sarah Jane had become dependent on sugar from a young age, her mornings starting with Cadbury buttons and Coca-Cola. She says emotional neglect and a sugar-rich upbringing created a deep-seated food addiction. Speaking to Sun Health , she recalls how her childhood was littered with micro-traumas about her appearance: boys telling her she had 'rugby player legs' or that she 'could be pretty if she weren't fat.' These comments stuck, burrowing into her subconscious. Despite trying the Cambridge Diet in her teens, her addiction to sweets prevailed. By 25, her body was failing—her periods had stopped, she was diagnosed with PCOS, suffered chronic fatigue, and was warned she wouldn't make it to 40. That was the turning point. 'Doctors told me I was eating myself to death,' she told. It wasn't a jab or a crash diet that turned her life around—but five simple rules, what she now refers to as her Nozempic diet . Sarah Jane's initial changes were modest: 30-minute walks and more water. She stopped ordering takeaways and began eliminating processed foods. 'If a food had more than five ingredients, I didn't eat it,' she says. It wasn't a diet, she insists, but a change in mindset—one that got stronger with each small victory. 'The healthier I became, the healthier I wanted to be,' she recalls. Over time, the results were stunning. Within 16 months, she had lost 7 stone. After giving birth to her two children, Chloe and Jack, she maintained the momentum. From a size 28, she slimmed down to a size 10. But the changes weren't just physical—Sarah Jane also found the confidence to reclaim her identity and her life. What began as daily walks evolved into a full-blown fitness journey. Today, Sarah Jane has completed 50 half-marathons and two London Marathons. Her fitness brand, Step by Step With Sarah Jane , now inspires others to transform without medical intervention. 'I was told I wouldn't live to see 40. For my 40th birthday, I ran a 5K Race for Life,' she says proudly. Now at a healthy 62kg, she's been at her goal weight for five years—and even found love along the way. She met her now-husband Paul Flounders through their mutual passion for running. 'He said I was amazing,' she says. 'I couldn't believe he thought that. I never saw myself that way.' While weight loss injections have gained a following, Sarah Jane urges caution. 'You can't just inject yourself and love yourself,' she says, warning that many people treat the jab as a fix-all without addressing the psychological roots of food addiction. 'I see people on jabs still eating crap food. It's not the miracle people think it is.' Her five simple rules? Walk 30 minutes daily, drink more water, eliminate ultra-processed foods, find joy in exercise, and skip the jabs. 'Educate yourself about what you're eating. Read the ingredients. And if food has more than five ingredients—don't eat it,' she advises.
Edinburgh Live
22-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Live
Josie Gibson vows to ditch 'extreme' diets after 'health scare'
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Josie Gibson has opened up about her history with "extreme" diets, declaring she won't be putting her body through such ordeals anymore following a "health scare". The beloved This Morning presenter has been sampling some quirky culinary delights for her latest venture, The 1970s Diet, which will air on Channel 5. Reflecting on her dieting history, she confessed to Closer magazine: "I've been on the Cambridge Diet, and I ate about a week's worth of food on the way home from the meeting. READ MORE - CBB's Chris Hughes says he is 'really sad' over attitude towards JoJo Siwa friendship READ MORE - Louise Redknapp 'feels very lucky' as she opens up on 'age-gap' with boyfriend (Image: josiegibson85/Instagram) (Image: Instagram) "Some people love it, but I just can't get on with it. I've done everything, I've taken diet tablets back in the day. I have done some extreme things, but I can't mess around with my body anymore. I cannot mess around with my metabolism, so I am where I am." Josie also touched upon her lifestyle changes, suggesting they're contributing to her being a better mother to her six year old son Reggie. Her new TV series saw her feasting on dishes reminiscent of the 1970s, which led to a health concern when she was warned she might have gout. "I thought only kings like Henry VIII got gout. I was like, I'm a 40-year-old woman, this is really embarrassing," she remarked, reports the Mirror. Back in February, Josie shared with This Morning viewers that an injury sustained while on holiday forced her to take a break. A heavy vanity unit fell on her foot, resulting in her needing crutches. Since then, she's scaled back on work commitments and focused more on self-care. She detailed: "I got a bit of a health scare while filming this show, so it knocked me into submission a bit, I had to do something about myself. I've learnt more about my sleep as well, I had to track how many hours of sleep I was getting. "I was living on four, five... six hours at a push but now I make sure I get eight or nine hours, and I feel like a totally different human being. I'm a better mum, I'm better at my job, I remember things a lot more. I try to walk a lot more than I did now, because I was so tired all the time I'd take the car everywhere. "I've got more patience. Before I took on this experiment I spent too much time on my phone, being at home and cooking a home cooked meal was a complete luxury, I run around the country, I'm so busy trying to work everything out. Trying to be a mum, be on the road being a TV presenter, it was a lot. But now I'm getting better sleep, and I've said no to a lot of work for my own health benefits. I'm spending more time at home and I'm prioritising my son and my health. When I turned 40, I always said that was what I was going to do." Asked about her parenting, she replied: "Yeah, I reckon so because my patience and understanding are a lot better. I'm a better human being." Josie clinched victory in Big Brother back in 2010 and has been gracing our screens as a regular segment host and announcer on ITV's 'This Morning' since 2019, also stepping in as a relief co-presenter from 2021 onwards.
