Mum of two loses 17.7kg in four months after doctor wake-up call
A mum-of-two has explained how she lost more than 17kg using a fitness mobile app. An increasing number of fans are turning to an innovative health coaching app that's currently 60% off and swaps traditional calorie counting and restrictive eating in favour of a kinder method.
The Simple app uses AI to offer completely personalised nutritional advice as well as helping tweak daily habits to make small but sustainable changes. Jennifer lost the 17.7kg, or 2.8 stone, within just four months after being mortified by her holiday snaps. She explained: "After one of our trips last year, we came back home and started going through some photos and I realised just how much I had let myself go.
"I was absolutely horrified, to say the least. I had a doctors appointment coming up. I got on the scales for the first time in a long time and realised I weiged 205lbs, which... jaw to floor, I was mortified. I am only five foot one, so you can imagine."
The stark revelation during the routine visit served as Jennifer's reality check. She said: "My doctor went ahead and put on my chart that I was now considered morbidly obese, which scared me to death. You hear those words... the word morbid is very, very scary and having other comorbidities coming with that is very, very scary as well. I just decided I've got to do something.", reports the Mirror.
It wasn't her first attempt to get healthier, as she explained: "I have tried different kinds of workouts, different routines, different diets, and I don't stick to them. I was very sceptical from my past experiences and I also had an injury to my left knee. The first couple of days were so hard - I'm a stay-at-home mom, the kids are at home and want to snack all day. I would do the same. I was an emotional eater - if I was depressed, or anxious, I would immediately go to that."
Jennifer stumbled upon an advert on social media for the high-tech Simple app, which touted the advantages of intermittent fasting, the science behind much of Dr Michael Mosley's health advice. She decided to give it a whirl, explaining: "With the app it made everything so simple. I check in in the morning, there's reminders all the time, I can find out when my next fast is, when I should be eating, you get tips on a daily basis, different things that you can swap out.
The Simple App offers daily workouts, advice, dietary assessments and an AI assistant.
Get 60% off
"One of my absolute favourite parts of the app is they have an integrated AI software where you can just ask questions. If you go to a restaurant, it takes out all your guesswork."
Jennifer attributes her weight loss to the app, which has seen her now lose the 'morbidly obese' label given to her by her doctor. She said: "This app has been absolutely life-changing for me. It just made everything so simple, I can actually do things I love to do, like a long walk with my kid."
The market for fitness apps exploded during the pandemic, as fitness fans tried to stay healthy at home. There are a few other apps out there doing similar things. These include Hevy, which lets you track workouts. Meanwhile, for food tracking the basic version of MyFitnessPal is free, with other features locked behind a paywall. The Simple app incorporates both these elements plus the AI assistant Avo and other features.
The Simple app is currently 60% off for all new signups when users use the code REACH60 at checkout. With the discount, this works out at one week for €3.99, down from €9.99, one month for €11.99 down from €29.99, or three months for €23.99, down from €59.99.
Avo, the app's AI coach, can look at the ingredients available in your fridge and whip up personalised recipe ideas, a feature that Simple user Chris credited for his massive 20kg weight drop, with the chef saying he 'loved the recipes. '
Elsewhere, Danielle saw a dramatic 27.8kg (48lbs) loss. She explained: "I give all credit to Simple. Having an AI coach right there, any time I needed, whatever time of day, helped me more than anything else."
The app has a 4.7-star average on Trustpilot, with 58% of those being a perfect 5 star review. One fan said: "I've tried multiple fasting apps, but this one truly stands out. Since using this app, I've noticed better energy levels, improved focus, and even weight loss. The educational content is also a great bonus, helping me understand the science behind fasting."
Another individual hailed it as the 'best decision they ever made', stating: "I finally have a healthy relationship with food, I've lost 15 pounds in my first month using this simple app, and it was surprisingly easy."
Another user praising the coaching element but admitted they found the app challenging to navigate: "I like the coach feature in this and the food logging by scanning or speaking but I find it confusing on how to use it. I feel it would be better to just have a calendar day click on that and have all that there."
A fourth customer labelled it as 'the best app', declaring: "So helpful, easy to scan meals to show ingredients. I have never stuck to anything so long before, it has now become a way of life."
Real Simple users are featured who have been compensated for their honest testimonials. Results may vary. You can read The Mirror's review of the Simple app here.
The Simple app is available on Android and iOS and is currently 60% off using the code REACH60 at checkout.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
First picture of mum who died of rabies after puppy scratch on holiday
A mum tragically succumbed to rabies after a minor scratch from a puppy in Morocco, with her family now sharing their heartbreak and issuing a stark warning. Yvonne Ford was diagnosed with the deadly disease upon her return to Yorkshire and The Humber, having initially experienced mild symptoms that rapidly escalated, leaving her unable to walk, talk, or swallow. In an emotional Facebook post, her grieving relatives shared: "Our family is still processing this unimaginable loss, but we are choosing to speak up in the hope of preventing this from happening to others. Yvonne Ford, Ron Ford's wife and our Mum, died of rabies. "She was scratched very slightly by a puppy in Morocco in February. At the time, she did not think any harm would come of it and didn't think much of it. Two weeks ago she became ill, starting with a headache and resulted in her losing her ability to walk, talk, sleep, swallow. Resulting in her passing." Authorities are now cautioning travellers about the dangers of interacting with animals in countries affected by rabies, highlighting the near-certain fatality of the disease if contracted. Rabies is transmitted through injuries like bites and scratches from an infected animal, and while post-exposure treatment is highly effective in preventing the illness, it must be administered immediately after exposure to the virus. Rabies is nearly always fatal after symptoms develop, which can include anxiety, headaches, fever, hallucinations, and respiratory failure. The incubation period for rabies can range from three to 12 weeks, with variations depending on where the infection started, reports the Mirror. Robyn, Yvonne's daughter, took to Facebook to announce her mum's death and to issue a stark warning about the dangers of rabies, highlighting that it's invariably fatal once symptoms manifest and can be transmitted through even minor scratches or bites. In her post, Robyn included a section titled 'What You Should Know About Rabies', where she stated: "We never thought something like this could happen to someone we love. Please take animal bites seriously, vaccinate your pets, and educate those around you." Dr Katherine Russell, Head of Emerging Infections and Zoonoses at the UKHSA, stated: "I would like to extend my condolences to this individual's family at this time. "If an animal from a country where rabies is prevalent bites, scratches, or licks you, wash the wound or affected area thoroughly with soap and water, and promptly seek medical advice for post-exposure treatment to prevent rabies. "There is no risk to the wider public in relation to this case. Human cases of rabies are extremely rare in the UK, and worldwide there are no documented instances of direct human-to-human transmission."
Dublin Live
4 days ago
- Dublin Live
Holidaymakers to Spain issued alert over 'almost always fatal' virus
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Holidaymakers planning a trip to Spain are being warned after a deadly rabies case was reported in Valencia. The case the 'almost always fatal' disease was identified this month, the first instance of the virus in Spain since 1978, reports the Mirror. Rabies is a virus found in animal saliva and typically spreads to humans through bites, scratches, or licks on open wounds from an infected animal, usually a dog. There can also be a risk if an animal spits and saliva gets into the eyes, mouth or nose. The virus attacks the central nervous system, causing progressive damage to the brain and spinal cord. Once symptoms are present, the disease is almost always fatal. The Spanish General Directorate of Public Health said: "In early June 2025, the Valencian Health Department reported a fatal case of rabies in a patient who suffered a dog bite during a trip to Ethiopia in July 2024. The case poses no risk to public health as it is transmitted only through bites from rabid animals, and mainland Spain and its islands have been free of rabies in terrestrial mammals since 1978." The Spanish government's contingency plan for rabies control states: "According to the Contingency Plan for the Control of Terrestrial Rabies in Captive and Wild Animals in Spain, 2023, Spain is at alert level 0 (no cases of terrestrial rabies). In the Autonomous Cities of Ceuta and Melilla, alert level 1 is occasionally activated, due to the risk that imported cases of animal rabies crossing the border from Morocco may come into contact with local populations of feral dogs, leading to local transmission." The Health Protection Surveillance Centre advises anyone who suspects they have been bitten by a rapid dog to take "urgent action". The HSPC advises: Immediately wash the wound thoroughly under running water for several minutes and wash with detergent or soap Apply disinfectant to the wound such as 40-70 percent alcohol or iodine solution Apply a simple dressing to the wound Seek immediate medical advice about the need for PET and possible antibiotics to prevent wound infection Animal saliva in the eyes, mouth and nose should be washed thoroughly with water Tetanus vaccine may be necessary if the traveller is not up-to-date as animal bites may be considered tetanus-prone wounds. Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. For all the latest news from Dublin and surrounding areas visit our homepage.
Irish Daily Mirror
14-06-2025
- Irish Daily Mirror
Blocked ears could be 'red flag' symptom of deadly cancer, doctor warns
A doctor has highlighted crucial 'red flag' symptoms that may indicate cancer, with blocked ears being a surprisingly key warning sign. According to the doctor, numerous signs often go unnoticed, which is concerning given the rising prevalence of head and neck cancers. According to the Marie Keating Foundation, over 700 cases of mouth, head and neck cancer are diagnosed in Ireland each year. Mouth, Head and Neck cancer is the sixth most common cancer worldwide with an estimated 550,000 cases diagnosed annually. It mainly affects men and older people, however, the number of women and younger people being diagnosed is rising and early detection greatly improves your chances of successful treatment Experts attribute this surge to the growing prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV), an infection that can cause cancer without displaying symptoms, reports the Mirror. HPV is very common – most people will be infected with a form of HPV in their lifetime. HPV infection is most common in people in their late teens and early 20s. You can catch HPV by being sexually active with another person who already has the virus. Most HPV infections do not need treatment because your body can clear the virus itself. But in some people, the HPV infection can develop into cancer or genital warts. In an effort to boost awareness around head and neck cancer, Dr Jiri Kubes, a leading oncologist, has outlined common indicators of head and neck cancer. Dr Kubes, who practices at the Proton Therapy Center in Prague, stressed: "Earlier diagnosis is absolutely crucial. The sooner we can identify head and neck cancer, the better the outcome. "It is considered one of the fastest growing types of cancer in the world but there is still a worrying lack of awareness around head and neck tumours."
