A mother-of-1 who was obese and feared she would lose her life to Covid-19 has now revealed her remarkable transformation. She lost nine stone in eight months.
Tipping the scales at 19st and 7lbs, Rachel Walkingshaw-McGuinness, 30, from Newport, was scared that her daughter Poppy, one, would be without a mother if she were to catch coronavirus.
In December 2020, the mother-of-one started the 1:1 Diet, by Cambridge Weight Plan, which substitutes large portion meals with shakes and healthy alternatives.
She has gone from a 24 to a 10 size and is loving her new figure of 10 and 10 lbs.
Rachael, who would splash out £200 on four takeaways a week before her weight loss, said: ‘I was terrified at the thought of catching the virus and dying. “I didn’t want Poppy’s memories to be erased.”
Rachel Walkingshaw-McGuinness, 30, from Newport, has revealed her incredible transformation after dropping nine stone in eight months (left, at her heaviest at almost 20st, and right, 10st 10lbs)
Rachael, who started the 1:1 Diet, by Cambridge Weight Plan in December 2020, has gone from a 24-inch size to a 10-inch size. She is now learning to love her new body at 10st 10lbs
Rachael used food as a way to cope with her grief after suffering the death of her mother Jacqueline Murphy (53).
Rachael used to scoff up to four takeaways per week costing £200.
“I have always been overweight. But when my mom died, I comforted myself by eating a lot and using food to quench my emotions.
‘I’d be spending well over £200 a week on food alone, it was so easy to just go into McDonald’s for lunch whilst I was working.
Rachel weighed in at 19st and 7lbs. She was scared that Poppy (pictured) would be raised by coronavirus.
“I would have a big Big Mac meal, mozzarella dippers and a mayo chicken hamburger all to myself.
“Each night, I’d be eating full packs of chocolate Digestives.”
She began to struggle to walk up the stairs alone with Poppy because of her weight gain.
She explained: ‘One night, I put my daughter to bed and I was very out of breath from the stairs.
Rachael used to scoff up to four takeaways per week costing £200 and would often pop to McDonald’s for lunch
As she struggled to walk up the stairs with Poppy, her daughter (pictured left and right with husband Jamie), her weight gain became apparent.
Rachael became afraid of Covid-19, leaving Poppy (pictured) without a mother.
‘It was even worse when my husband Jamie, 35 years old, contracted the virus despite his being on the shielding lists.
“That was when I knew it was time to do something about this.”
Rachael realized that her bad habits could have serious consequences so she switched to a diet that replaces large meals with healthy shakes.
She said: ‘I set myself a goal to lose nine stone and stayed on the plan during big events like my 30th and Poppy’s first birthday.
“I was not confident or self-believing when I started the plan. But my consultant encouraged me and helped me celebrate each milestone.
“My goal was for Poppy to grow up, to play with her and to run around in the park with me.
“It was sad that my mother and baby groups were not around because I would get out of breath trying the activities.
“I started small by going for small walks around the block and getting out the house. It was because I was too embarrassed to go to the gym.
Rachael was aware of the potential consequences for her bad habits and started a diet that replaced large meals with healthy shakes and healthier alternatives. (pictured, after she lost weight).
Rachael started the plan and set herself the goal to lose nine stones and keep the plan going through big events such as my 30th and Poppy’s first birthday (pictured after the weight loss).
(pictured right and left with Poppy) An independent consultant has revealed that she ‘never thought’ she’d be in a position to ride on the swings alongside her little girl.
Rachael has taken up running, and yoga after she has reached her target weight.
The mother-of-one was also awarded the Cambridge Weight Plan’s Woman of the Year award (pictured with Jamie).
After losing nearly 9st over the past 8 months, the independent consultant looks completely transformed. This was due to a strict diet plan.
Rachael is now more active than ever after she has reached her goal weight.
She stated, “I’ve now taken up running/yoga, something I wouldn’t have done when my weight was the highest.”
Rachael said she is learning how to love her body, and the confidence that comes with losing weight.
After losing almost 9st in the last eight months, the independent consultant looks completely different. This is thanks to a strict diet plan.
The mother of one revealed that she feels completely different now, despite living in the same life.
“I’m actually training up for the ‘Couch To 5k Challenge.
“I love my new body, and the confidence that I have gained from losing weight. I never dreamed I’d be able sit on the swings with my little daughter.
She added: ‘In every aspect of my life, who I am now is completely different to how I used to feel.’