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hollymillsfitness

How I Lost 3 Stone and Kept It Off (Without Doing Another Extreme Diet)

If you’ve ever looked in the mirror and thought, “This isn’t me. Something has to change,” I’ve been there, too.


It was the summer before my final year at university, and I was fed up. I didn’t recognize myself. I felt sluggish, my clothes didn’t fit right, and I didn’t love how I looked or felt. It wasn’t about self-hate—deep down, I did love myself—but I knew I wasn’t taking care of my body the way I could be. And that hit me hard.




Me in 2020 vs Me in 2022


By the start of summer, I’d reached my breaking point. I knew I needed to make a change. But the thought of doing another extreme diet or punishing workout plan felt overwhelming. I’d tried those before—they never worked long-term. So, I decided to try something different: small, sustainable changes.


The Power of Small Changes


At first, I didn’t overhaul my entire lifestyle. I simply made small tweaks—like walking more, eating balanced meals, and focusing on feeling good in my body.


By the time the holidays rolled around, I felt more energized, and for the first time in a long time, I saw real progress.


I imagined walking back onto campus for my final year, and people thinking, “Is that Holly?!” And honestly, that kept me motivated.


But here’s the thing: It wasn’t just about getting compliments. Sure, they boosted my ego (who doesn’t love that?), but the real transformation was how I felt inside.


I wasn’t out of breath after a short walk anymore. I felt lighter—physically and mentally. By the time autumn term started, I had lost a stone (around 6kg), and I felt like a new version of myself.


How I Balanced Fun with Healthy Habits


Starting my final year of uni, I knew balance was key. I didn’t want to miss out on the fun stuff—social events, nights out, and the spontaneous adventures that come with university life—but I also didn’t want to lose the progress I’d made.


Here’s where the magic happened: Instead of going all-in with another strict diet, I took the healthy habits I’d built over the summer and fit them into my life. If I had a night out planned, I would still enjoy myself. I didn’t obsess over every calorie. But during the rest of the week, I made sure I got my steps in, ate nourishing meals, and found time for exercise. It was about consistency, not perfection.


That balance allowed me to enjoy my last year at uni without constantly worrying about food or fitness. I was hitting the gym when I could, moving my body most days, and making choices that felt good. I wasn’t trying to be perfect—just to make progress. And that mindset changed everything for me.


When Lockdown Struck


Like many others, lockdown threw my routine into chaos. Suddenly, the gym was gone, and I had way too much time on my hands. But instead of letting it derail me, I used that time to focus on my health even more. I started working out daily—weights, cardio, mobility, you name it. By the end of lockdown, I hit my goal weight of 10 stone (around 63.5kg).

 

But here’s what I didn’t expect: I didn’t feel like I was “done.” This wasn’t just about reaching a number on the scale and then keeping it off. It was about becoming a better version of myself, inside and out.


Mastering Maintenance


Losing weight is one thing, but keeping it off is another. I’ve learned that maintenance isn’t a one-time achievement—it’s an ongoing journey. It’s not about hitting a certain number on the scale and staying there forever. Instead, it’s about developing habits that help you stay consistent, flexible, and kind to yourself, no matter what life throws your way.


When I first reached my goal weight, I had this expectation that I’d “arrived” and everything would just fall into place. But the truth is, maintaining weight loss comes with its own challenges. Life gets busy, stress happens, and routines can be thrown off. What kept me on track wasn’t willpower or perfection, but the sustainable habits I built along the way.


One thing that really surprised me on this journey was learning to accept fluctuations. My weight doesn’t stay the same day in and day out, and that’s completely normal. It can vary depending on factors like muscle gain, hormonal changes, or even my level of activity that week. But instead of letting those fluctuations throw me off course, I’ve learned to trust the process and focus on how I feel, not just the numbers.


The thing is, 80% of weight lost is regained within 5 years (1). I didn’t want to be part of that statistic. I’m now approaching five years since I started my weight loss journey, and I’ve kept the weight off by sticking to the habits I built along the way.


Here’s what I do to maintain my weight and stay healthy:


1. Daily Steps: I aim for around 10,000-11,000 steps a day, almost every day. I don’t hit it 100% of the time, but I’m consistent about moving my body.


2. Workouts: I mix cardio, weights, and mobility exercises 3-5 times a week. Training my whole body in different ways keeps me strong and injury-free.


3. Meals and Snacks: I focus on three balanced meals a day and a snack if needed. I aim to eat 30 different plant types throughout the week, adding variety and nutrients to my meals.


4. Protein: Getting three servings of quality protein daily is non-negotiable. Without it, my hunger cues go off, and I find it harder to stay in tune with my body.


These habits aren’t about perfection. They’re about consistency. And when you can find habits that fit into your life—rather than controlling it—that’s when the real magic happens.


Ready for change?


If you’ve tried countless diets, only to end up back where you started, it’s time to break the cycle. I hope my story is proof that real, lasting change doesn’t come from quick fixes—it comes from building habits that work for you.


If you're ready to stop dieting and start living with confidence, strength, and freedom, then let’s make it happen. Apply for 1-2-1 coaching today, and together, we’ll create a plan that fits your life and sets you up for success—not just for now, but for the long term.


Click HERE to apply and take the first step toward the lasting change you deserve.

 

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