A young mother who was left feeling humiliated and out of breath during a family celebration has revealed how the moment became the catalyst for a dramatic health transformation that saw her shed six stone.
The Wake-Up Call That Changed Everything
Louise Gough, a 29-year-old business owner from Caerphilly, South Wales, recalled the pivotal evening out in Cardiff for her mother-in-law's 60th birthday. While trying to enjoy herself with friends, she found she could not dance for more than an hour without becoming sweaty and severely short of breath. The reality of her situation hit home even harder when she had to ask a friend to fasten her shoes, as she was physically unable to bend down and do it herself.
"I was in absolute denial about how big and unhealthy I was," Ms Gough admitted. "I felt so ashamed of myself that night." At the time, she weighed 15 stone 8lbs (98kg) and was squeezing into tight size 18 jeans, realising she was closer to a size 20-22.
A Personal Tragedy and a New Resolution
Her determination to change was compounded by the recent loss of her father, David, to a heart attack at just 52 years old. Despite being sporty and active, his arteries had become clogged due to a poor diet. "On my 29th birthday, I had the realisation that if I passed away at the same time my dad did, I'd only have 23 short years left," she said. "I was petrified."
Driven by the desire to be healthy for her five-year-old daughter and to avoid a similar fate, Louise decided to completely overhaul her lifestyle. She focused intensely on her nutrition, calculating her daily calorie and macronutrient needs to ensure she was in a deficit while consuming enough protein.
The Transformation: Diet, Exercise and a New Life
She began eating 1,800 calories a day and aiming for 8,000-10,000 steps. This new regime led to an impressive loss of two-and-a-half stone in just three months. Energised by her progress, Louise joined a gym, started daily training, and took up running.
Completely cutting out alcohol and takeaways since that fateful night in October 2024, Louise has sustained her new habits for a year. She now weighs a healthy 9 stone 6lbs and wears a slim size eight.
Her diet underwent a radical change:
- Before: Large caramel coffees, sausage sandwiches, and frequent Chinese, Indian, or Domino's takeaways, with muffins and crisps as snacks.
- After: Greek yoghurt and fruit for breakfast, chicken for lunch, and meals like steak or chicken with vegetables for dinner, with dark chocolate as an occasional treat.
Louise follows the 80/20 rule, eating nutritious whole foods 80% of the time. "I don't crave rubbish food at all anymore – my body really craves nutrition and I love it," she stated.
The benefits extend far beyond the scales. "I have energy like I've never had before," she exclaimed. She can now play effortlessly with her daughter, has run half-marathons, and enjoys shopping with confidence. She also reports better skin and thicker, shinier hair.
"I'm so proud of myself for turning my life around," Louise said. "I feel healthy and energised every single day, and I've hopefully reversed some of the damage I'd previously done and get to spend extra time with my daughter."
