A mother from Southampton has revealed how a simple notification from her Apple Watch became the catalyst for an incredible transformation, leading her to lose an astonishing 12 stone.
The Wake-Up Call on the Sofa
Laura Self, 37, was sitting on her sofa when she received an unexpected alert. Her smartwatch asked if she was exercising due to a detected elevated heart rate. At the time, Laura weighed 24 stone, her heaviest weight following the birth of her son and demanding long shifts as a nurse. "I found myself struggling to walk," she admitted.
This moment prompted a visit to her GP, where she was told weight loss surgery was her primary option. After six months of consultations and pre-surgery programmes, Laura was disheartened to find she had gained more weight instead of losing it.
A Surgical Step and a Psychological Hurdle
Laura proceeded with a gastric sleeve operation, which helped her lose six stone over two years, bringing her down to 17 stone. However, the 2020 lockdown saw some weight creep back. She realised the procedure hadn't addressed the root cause: her emotional addiction to food.
"Eating became my comfort, yet my weight left me feeling deeply depressed," Laura explained. "I felt as though I was existing on the sidelines of life." Everyday activities, from caring for patients to simply fitting into a chair, were sources of anxiety.
Finding the Right Support and Lasting Change
In 2023, Laura discovered The 1:1 Diet via Instagram. She describes it as "food rehab," a plan that provided four nutritionally balanced products daily alongside personalised support from her consultant, Gemma. "Gemma made me feel seen and heard for the first time. No judgement, just guidance," Laura said.
The results were rapid and sustainable. From 17 stone 8lbs at the end of 2023, she reached her ideal weight of 12.7 stone by July 2024. Crucially, this 7-month loss matched what she had achieved through surgery over two years. She has since maintained her weight, currently at 12 stone—exactly half her heaviest weight.
The transformation was as much psychological as physical. "The same endorphin rush I used to get from cake, I now get from a cardio session," Laura shared. She now runs 5Ks on the beach, a stark contrast to her previous struggles with mobility.
Inspiring Others and a New Career
So profound was her experience that Laura trained to become a consultant for The 1:1 Diet herself, helping others in similar situations. The income even funded her skin removal surgery, completing her physical journey.
Her change has been so dramatic that she has been unrecognisable to colleagues and patients. Laura now balances her nursing career with her new consultancy business. She also proudly walked across the stage to collect her Master's degree 12 stone lighter.
Her message to others is one of hope and resilience: "You don't need surgery and you're not a failure if past attempts didn't work. With the right support and mindset, you can do it too."
