How Lisa found confidence through small, healthy changes
17th Sep 2025, Real stories
Lisa, 46, lives in Sandy, Bedfordshire. As a single mum managing long-term health conditions, including fibromyalgia, and homeschooling her child, keeping a consistent weight wasn’t always easy. She’d struggled with weight gain on and off for years and was referred to Choose You by her GP.
“I thought it was going to be like any other slimming group”, Lisa says. “I was expecting weigh-ins, pressure, and not much support. But it was completely different.”
Why Lisa turned to Choose You
Lisa’s GP suggested the programme to help improve her overall health. She arrived expecting the usual format of public weigh-ins and pressure to talk to the group, but quickly realised the Choose You programme was something else.
“It was a small group, and I was nervous at first. But from the first session, I realised it wasn’t about being weighed in front of each other, or talking in front of a big group, and I relaxed. I had a lovely group, we just chatted about day to day life, pets, grandchildren and ended up supporting each other and sharing recipes. It felt friendly and supportive, and I looked forward to going every week.”
A different kind of support
Lisa found the sessions eye opening. “It wasn’t just about losing weight; it was about training your brain. Learning what to eat, what to look out for and how to read labels. We talked about so many different areas like comfort eating, carbs, fats, batch cooking, meal planning and simple things like going shopping with a list.”
Lisa started by making small changes, swapping fizzy drinks for water, making smoothies for breakfast, reading food labels, and cooking everything from scratch. “I wouldn’t have done that before. Now I use the label system every time I shop.”
Her group leader and fellow members offered advice and encouragement. “It wasn’t one sided, if I had a question, someone was always there to help.”
Big change that started small
Lisa has already lost over a stone and feels the difference every day.
“I don’t get out of puff anymore. I’ve bought a treadmill and started walking more. My legs are the worst thing affected by my health, but moving around is easier now. I feel more confident that slow progress is the key to me keeping my weight consistent.”
Looking ahead with confidence
Lisa’s friends have noticed the change, and she’s feeling more positive about the future.
“My health is better, walking is easier, and my confidence has had a boost. I’d recommend Choose You to anyone who is looking for support to manage their weight. Give it a try, it’s an eye opener, it’s not just about weight, it’s about learning and living better.”
Ready to make a change? We’re here to help
Choose You offers free, local support to help you build healthier habits that last. Read more about healthy weight programmes.