A woman has shared how she changed her diet to lose eight stone.
Olivia Malone, a Salford native, opened up about how her student days in Huddersfield and subsequent postgraduate studies in Salford led to unhealthy eating habits. Habitually grabbing meal deals and savouring late-night takeaways paired with boozy socialising had taken its toll.
The turning point came when she received scales from a friend and discovered she was 17 stone 7lbs. This revelation kick-started Olivia’s journey to better health at the age of 26, as she ditched fad diets in favour of nutritional education – spurred on by fitness influencers on Instagram.
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The first Covid lockdown in 2020 marked Olivia’s commitment to change; she took on a physically demanding job that complemented her newfound dedication to wellness. The payoff was immense: Olivia celebrated plummeting from a size 24 to a svelte size 10, having lost a remarkable 8 stone.
Reflecting on her transformation with the Manchester Evening News earlier in 2023, Olivia revealed her mindset during the pivotal lockdown: “In the first lockdown I got a job that required me to be active, so I thought I might as well start trying to be more healthy.”
She also shared her astonishment about her previous size, saying: “My friend had lost a stone, and she bought me some scales and sent them to my house. I didn’t know what my weight was, until then I didn’t have a clue, I just knew I was very overweight – but was stunned to see I was 17 stone 7lb.”
She went on to discuss her historical patterns with dieting, stating: “Ever since high school I’d done every fad diet going but I never stuck to them. I was always big as a younger girl, but when I went to university it got even worse.”
“I wasn’t cooking properly, it was a case of noodles, turkey dinosaurs and smiley faces. It was pure laziness, and it took its toll.”
Her usual lunch often included meal deals with sandwiches, crisps, and fizzy drinks, whereas evenings were for takeaways with mates. She remembered: “We’d order takeaways from the local pizza place or Chinese – it’s just what we’d do at university, we’d cry we had no money but then buy takeaways.
“But it only seemed to be me putting on weight. We’d also be out three or four nights a week and I’d drink anything and everything, as you do at uni.”
However, a significant shift occurred when Olivia took the initiative to educate herself about nutrition, comprehending her daily calorie and nutrient requirements.
By reimagining her go-to dishes with healthier ingredients and incorporating regular exercise, Olivia successfully shed the pounds. She revealed: “I decided to properly educate myself, I taught myself about nutrition. I followed an exercise influencer on Instagram called Courtney Black, I would follow her religiously for her workouts, and then it was all about teaching myself a healthy relationship with food.
“I’d swap out high-calorie foods for lower-calorie alternatives. By tracking my calorie intake, I determined my daily calorie needs and stuck to it diligently. Initially, I was very strict and lost a stone a month for the first three to four months.”
A turning point came when Olivia replaced her usual takeaways with homemade “fakeaways” – healthier versions of her favourite university treats. She’d create dishes like chicken burgers using blended breast meat or air-fry salt and pepper chips.
She noted: “I make fakeaways and they honestly taste a lot nicer because it’s fresher and I’ve made it all myself. I genuinely don’t miss takeaways at all because I know I can make them taste just as nice.”
After her weight loss, Olivia experienced a surge in energy and even took on the Couch to 5K app – a beginner’s NHS running plan. Initially unable to run, she gradually built up her endurance.
Olivia disclosed: “Now, I’ve just completed my first half marathon this year [2023] – in Manchester –which I did in two and a half hours. I’ve now applied to do my first marathon in Barcelona next year [2024]. I also go to the gym, I make a point of going to the gym five nights a week, sometimes it’s for running or weight training or other types of cardio.”
She has made physical activity a staple in her daily routine, even with an office job that could easily lead to a sedentary lifestyle. Instead of sitting idle and browsing social media, she chooses to take 30-minute walks on most days.
Her transformation journey has garnered accolades from her loved ones, who are amazed by her achievements. The before-and-after photos she posts on social media often elicit reactions of disbelief from those who can scarcely recall her pre-fitness days.
Olivia added: “My mum is my biggest fan, she says how proud she is of me. But it’s nice that friends are also now asking my advice on what to eat and how to run, I’d love to inspire others.”