Beth Hilgartner, a 68-year-old woman, lost nearly 4 stone (50 pounds) after her doctor warned her about dangerously high cholesterol and blood glucose levels. She achieved this using the Simple app, an AI-powered weight loss platform that offered her an 80% discount through a promotional code.
Doctor's Warning Prompted Urgent Action
In June 2024, during a routine check-up, Beth's doctor informed her that her blood levels had reached an unhealthy point, along with her cholesterol and blood glucose. “I had a really visceral reaction that surprised me,” she said. Given the choice between medication or lifestyle changes to lose 15 to 20 pounds, Beth decided to find a solution online.
Initially, she tried a restrictive diet that required weighing all food. “I did that for a while and lost a few pounds, but I could see it was going to be a really vicious slog,” she explained. After a friend suggested intermittent fasting, she discovered the Simple app.
How the Simple App Works
The Simple app is an AI coaching tool that offers personalised daily workouts, science-backed coaching, and nutrition analysis. It uses an intermittent fasting tracker, a NutriScanner for meal analysis, and an in-app coach called Avo. Beth used the app's eating window concept, losing about a pound per week and eventually 50 pounds overall.
“I really like not having to measure my food,” Beth said. “The Simple App gives me advice. It says your portion size should be the size of your palm and it also teaches me to track things like my hydration and my movement so I’m not just relying on my perceptions.”
Personalised Workouts and Coaching
The app creates custom workout plans including yoga, pilates, HIIT, walking, and Tai Chi. Beth, who enjoys dressage riding three to four times a week and weekly yoga, appreciated the flexibility. Avo, the AI coach, also suggested healthy snacks like hummus vegetable dip and ergonomic improvements for her desk job.
“The Avo coach has also encouraged me to do things like prepare healthy snacks that I can have on hand,” Beth said. “The suggestions would be to get a standing desk or vary my position between sitting and standing intentionally several times a day.”
User Ratings and Alternatives
The Simple app has been downloaded over 17 million times and holds a 4.3 out of 5 star rating on Trustpilot, a 4.7 rating on the App Store, and was named the number one app of 2025 by Forbes. Alternatives include Noom, focusing on mindful eating, and MyFitnessPal, a calorie tracker costing around £19.99 per month.
User reviews are largely positive. One user said: “Easy to use. Fantastic support and interaction with the Coach. Exercises are achievable or adjustable if needed. I'd recommend this app.” Another added: “They took my concern very seriously and with efficiency. I didn't feel taken for granted.” However, some noted issues, such as difficulty logging exercise sequences and syncing steps.
Beth concluded: “Simple, I’m really glad I found you. I hope lots of other people find you too.”
