A mother-of-seven from Kent has shared how using the Simple weight loss app every day helped her lose 13lbs and drop up to two dress sizes in six months, without giving up her favourite foods.
Laurien Perkins says the app has made her more mindful of her eating habits, encouraged her to drink more water and helped her find time for exercise while juggling family life, baking and renovating her home. New users can currently save 80% on weight loss plans with Simple by using the code REACH.
How the app works
Rather than following a restrictive diet, Laurien began using Simple to track her meals, snacks, drinks and intermittent fasting routine. To use the app, people take a quiz and Simple builds a personalised plan, with features including food logging through typing, voice or photo; an intermittent fasting tracker; a NutriScanner designed to help users understand the nutrition in meals; and daily workout plans including yoga, pilates, HIIT, walking and Tai Chi.
She said: "I wanted a manageable way to get back on track after I had a baby and I wanted it to be seamless to my everyday life - that is what it's become. Being a busy mum, I think it's difficult to sit down and find time for yourself to eat, so I just would snack throughout the day."
Results after six months
After six months, Laurien says the difference has been noticeable. "I have lost 13lbs, which to me is just amazing. It wasn't necessarily something I had to do, but it was something that I really wanted to do for myself and it's just helped me in so many ways. My clothing has dropped between one to two sizes, and it's without even having to put any effort in," she said.
She uses the app daily to log her food and water intake, while its AI coach, Avo, helps her come up with recipes and meal ideas. "I think Avo's amazing, it's so helpful - with recipes and things. It'll give you some different ideas of meals and I find that really helpful," she explained.
More exercise and better wellbeing
Laurien has also incorporated more walking and low-impact exercises, including wall Pilates and chair yoga, into her routine. "I would say most of my workouts or exercise are walking based, but it helps me to get up and out to finish my steps for the day. Me and my family love to be outdoors, so it's helpful for that because if I see that I haven't reached my steps for the day, then I will to say to the children, 'Should we get up and go for a walk?'," she said.
As well as losing weight, she says she has noticed improvements in her energy levels and sleep. "I will find my energy levels are so much better than before. I just don't feel bogged down, I always feel just energetic and ready. I sleep a lot better, too," she said.
Reflecting on her experience, she added: "It's helped me have a nicer relationship with food and a healthier relationship with food. It's helped my children with that too. It's given me more energy, it's made me realise that dieting doesn't need to be strict, it can be flexible and it can just fit into your life, not your life fit into it."
Alternatives and user reviews
As an alternative, MyFitnessPal is a calorie tracker and BMI calculator designed to help people meet their targets and track their nutritional intake. It costs around £15.99 a month, with some free sections available on the app.
Another alternative is Noom, a weight loss platform that focuses on mindful eating. Noom says it creates 'fun' personalised courses for people, with pricing depending on the plan and the individual, and its aim is to 'empower people everywhere to lead better, healthier lives - and not just our members.'
Users of Simple shared their views on Trustpilot. One person said: "This app is one of the easiest ones to see if your food is on target without counting calories. It also reminds you when your eating window that you chose starts and ends. I must say, it's worth picking a coach. Really positive experience and gives you ideas on how to tweak what you eat to make it better for a balanced meal."
Another person said: "Absolutely amazing app. I have lost over one stone using this. There is always help at hand when I have my struggles. The app is very easy to use. Love it!"
One user added: "Honestly, a super supportive app that doesn't make me feel bad if I miss a day or something. I do wish it had more options for drinks (lemonade, for example, is hard to track accurately) or an option to write in a drink or activities. Otherwise, it's great."
Another reviewer wrote: "Results are key in my five-star review. The excellent customer service is a huge plus; and the intuitive, interactive interface actively encourages users to try harder, without shaming. A few tweaks to customisation (diet options, exercise editing) will give an even richer experience! Thank you, Simple!"
