Tracey McAvoy, who lives on the edge of the Peak District, weighed 22.5 stone at her heaviest and has since lost six stone after using the weight loss app Simple, which she credits with making her "healthier" and "happier".
From 22.5 stone to a new lifestyle
Tracey, who was on medication for diabetes, blood pressure and cholesterol and suffered with a chronically bad back, blamed "overeating and no movement" for her weight gain. She said: "I was a pig, I was lazy, I was addicted to food. I'd go to bed and then get up at 11 o'clock at night and have four bags of crisps, or make myself some cheese on toast."
She added: "Enjoyed that, and then I'd make myself some more. I loved food, loved it, it was everything to me. (But with) Simple, it has just changed my life completely and retrained my brain. (I have) lost loads of weight and stopped taking half the medication I was on."
How the Simple app works
Simple is a clinically proven weight loss tool which has helped users lose more than 18 million pounds collectively. Users take a quick quiz, and Simple creates a personalised weight loss plan based on their answers. The app includes food logging via typing, voice or photos, an intermittent fasting tracker and NutriScanner, which helps users understand the nutritional content of their meals.
Simple is designed around changing everyday habits rather than calorie counting, cutting out essential food groups or weighing every bite. It also offers daily workout plans covering activities including yoga, Pilates, HIIT, walking and Tai Chi.
Tracey's transformation and app features
Tracey began her weight loss journey on January 4 and, despite feeling like she was "ready for giving up", has since shed six stone. She recalls: "Rewind to last year, we went to Turkey. I always hated flying and I had to ask for an extendable seatbelt, I couldn't walk, I had a chronically bad back, and I was taking about 10 tablets a day for diabetes, blood pressure, cholesterol. (Now), I feel like I've had a brain transplant. My whole life is different."
She added: "I'm healthier, I'm happier, I look better, I feel better. Everyone says I look younger, my skin's better, my hair's more healthy. It's just been a total eye-opener - and this is from someone that has tried every single diet under the sun."
One standout feature is the in-app coach, Avo, an AI-powered personal wellness assistant that can answer questions straightaway, giving users 24/7 access to wellbeing and fitness advice. The app also has an emotional support feature called Blinky, described as a furry friend, which celebrates when users log their meals, sulks when they don't and even "spirals" when ignored.
User feedback and alternatives
Tracey says she "kept asking Avo for different recipes" and healthier alternatives to some of her favourite foods. She says she is no longer "addicted to food anymore" and would recommend Simple to others looking to make a change. Simple states that the real users featured in its testimonials have been compensated for sharing their honest experiences, and results can vary from person to person.
Simple has received feedback from users on Trustpilot, where it currently has an overall rating of 4.3 out of five stars, classed as "Excellent". One reviewer said: "Simple has made it easy to stay on track for losing weight, slimming down my shape, and becoming healthier. The plan is created upon individual lifestyles, is easy to follow, and promotes healthy eating." Another user wrote: "This has been so helpful with my fasting and I love my AI coach. Definitely worth the money."
However, not everyone was as impressed. One reviewer said: "I'm learning some things about nutrition and I am allowing myself to be accountable to some degree. However, my very much varied schedule does not permit me to follow much of the advice." Overall, most were pleased. Another user wrote: "Love this program, easy to follow and I look forward to doing it everyday. Simple is the way to go."
Alternatives include Lifesum, which lets users track meals and snacks while providing nutritional and calorie information, with a free version available and premium plans ranging from £7.49 a month to around £50 a year. Another option is MyFitnessPal, which has more than 280 million members and allows users to track food while keeping an eye on calories, macronutrients and micronutrients. The basic version is free, while premium plans start at £79.99 a year or £19.99 a month.
