A woman from Ireland has revealed how she lost an incredible 13.5 stone—the equivalent of a "full-grown man"—without resorting to injections, pills, or surgery, transforming her life through sheer determination.
The Turning Point: Facing 30 and Everyday Struggles
Christina Togher, 31, from Castlebar in County Mayo, weighed 22 stone (140kg) at her heaviest. Struggling with anxiety and a history of childhood bullying, she had long used food to cope with her emotions. This pattern continued into her late teens and twenties, where she wore sizes XL to XXL.
Her weight made everyday tasks a significant challenge. "I was tired all the time and everything hurt – even a basic, everyday task, like walking up a flight of stairs, was such a struggle," Christina recalled. The impending milestone of her 30th birthday in July 2024 became a powerful catalyst for change. She knew she did not want to enter this new decade feeling so unwell and unhappy.
The Journey: From Chef to Gym Devotee
This was not Christina's first attempt at weight loss. While studying accounting and finance at university, she had successfully dropped to 11 stone (70kg). However, after taking a job as a chef, her "old habits came back hard." She began relying on fast, convenient food like takeaways, bread rolls, and chocolate biscuits, eventually regaining 7st 12lbs (50kg) to reach 18st 12lbs (120kg) by March 2024.
Determined to make a lasting change, Christina decided to enlist professional help. A chance encounter at her coffee shop workplace with personal trainer Nicky Kearney gave her the push she needed. She "bit the bullet" and asked for his support.
Nicky helped her develop a comprehensive plan focusing on her lifestyle, diet, and exercise routine. For the first two months, Christina concentrated on increasing her daily steps through long walks and meticulously counting her calories.
Her journey into fitness hit an early emotional hurdle during her first gym session. Overwhelmed by the sight of other gym-goers, she left in tears. With Nicky's reassurance that no one was watching her, she found the courage to return. She now weight trains five days a week, uses the Stairmaster for 30 minutes of cardio, and aims for 10,000 to 12,000 steps daily.
A Life Transformed: Diet, Mindset, and Future Goals
From March 2024 to June 2025, Christina maintained razor-sharp focus. She consistently lost 3lbs (1.4kg) every week, spurring her on. She now weighs 8st 7lbs (54kg), a total loss of 13st 7lbs (86kg) from her highest weight.
Her diet has been completely overhauled. A typical day now includes an oat protein shake with fruit for breakfast, high-protein wraps with falafel for lunch, and a dinner rich in proteins and vegetables. She has drastically reduced her caffeine intake, cut out alcohol except for once or twice a year, and finds that takeaways are now "few and far between."
"I’ve repaired my relationship with food and I’ve fallen in love with exercise," Christina said. "I now know how to maintain this lifestyle in a healthy way."
The transformation is not just physical. Her mental health has soared. "I feel so much happier, I have more energy and I don’t hurt as much as I did," she shared. Instead of eating her feelings, she now channels her energy into her gym sessions.
The one remaining challenge is excess skin, particularly around her stomach and arms, a common consequence of massive weight loss. Her trainer has started a GoFundMe page to raise an estimated €10,000 for skin removal surgery, a procedure not covered by public health in Ireland as it is considered cosmetic. For Christina, this surgery represents the final step in feeling "beautiful again."
Her advice to others is simple yet powerful: "It’s all about consistency and showing up – keep showing up for you, your kids, your loved ones and know that change is possible."
