“I lost over 8 stone, but the biggest lesson was learning it’s okay to start again”
Linda, from West Sussex, lost over 8 stone with LighterLife after returning to the programme years after first completing it. She had maintained her weight for several years before regaining it during a period of intense life stress, and coming back this time was not about starting again from scratch, but about approaching things differently.
By 2025, her health had reached what she describes as an all-time low. Walking had become difficult, her blood pressure and cholesterol were high, and she felt constantly exhausted. The impact was not just physical. Linda found herself in a low place, and despite seeking help through the NHS, months passed without progress. Eventually, she realised that if things were going to change, it had to come from her.
“I realised the only way I was going to get my health back was to do something proactive for myself.”
Linda already knew that LighterLife could work because she had done it before. Back in 2010, she had reached her goal and maintained for several years. But like many people, life shifted. A series of stressful events led her back to old patterns, and over time, the weight returned. Other approaches followed, from calorie counting to apps and slimming clubs, but none of them addressed the underlying issue.
Looking back, she recognises that this was the key difference.
“None of those solutions ever focused on why I was overeating in the first place.”
Returning to the programme, she was not looking for another short-term solution. She understood the value of structure, but more importantly, she understood the role of mindset. This time, she committed fully, giving herself the space to focus not just on weight loss, but on understanding her behaviour. That shift changed everything.
Through the CBT and mindfulness work, Linda began to see that the challenge was never about knowledge or willpower. It was about recognising patterns and responding to them differently. The idea that stayed with her most was simple but powerful.
“You aren’t your thoughts. They’re just signposts. You can stop, review them, and choose a different direction.”
Instead of trying to “fix” herself, she started to rebuild her life in a more sustainable way. She describes it as creating balance across different areas, from self-care and movement to boundaries and enjoyable activities. When those elements are in place, everything feels more stable. When they are not, it becomes much harder to stay on track.
That understanding has made maintaining her weight feel achievable, rather than uncertain.
The changes in her day-to-day life reflect that shift. She has taken up Pilates, started hiking regularly in the South Downs and along the coast, and now actively looks forward to movement rather than avoiding it. Her confidence has grown, not just in how she feels physically, but in how she shows up in the world.
“I look people in the eye again.”
She has also made significant changes to her working life, moving away from an intense, remote desk-based role into something more creative, while also building her own small business. Even simple things, like getting dressed, feel different now. After dropping from a size 24 to a 14, she no longer feels the need to hide, and instead enjoys expressing herself through what she wears.
For Linda, though, the most important part of her story is not the amount of weight she has lost. It is the fact that she chose to try again.
There was a time when she believed that reaching her goal meant she was “fixed”. Now she sees things differently. Life will always bring challenges, and maintaining change requires ongoing awareness and effort. What has changed is her ability to recognise when things feel out of balance and take action before old patterns take over.
That is what makes this time feel different.
Her advice to anyone considering coming back is clear. If you are thinking about it, do not let the idea of starting again hold you back. The experience you bring with you is not failure. It is knowledge.
“If you stick to the plan, it will work. And if you’re struggling, reach out. There is always someone who understands and can help you find a way through.”
Because the most important step is not getting it perfect.
It is giving yourself permission to begin again.
