Marcel Botes from Scotland lost 12.5kg in two months and improved his health markers using a popular AI coaching app
Rachael Davis and Christopher Harper Technology Affiliates Writer
10:33, 20 Dec 2025
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Marcel Botes from Edinburgh had a big transformation(Image: Simple)
Marcel Botes, a Scottish father with an 11-month-old son, dropped 12.5kg in just two months using a trendy AI coaching app, and he’s absolutely delighted with his progress.
Marcel was spurred into action by concerns over how his weight was affecting his well-being, particularly his elevated blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Like countless others, he had a weakness for nibbling and struggled to manage his eating habits – until he discovered the Simple App: “Initially my biggest challenge was avoiding snacks, especially after dinner, but the app helped me make informed food choices,” he explains.
He continued: “So far I’ve lost 12.5kg. I reached my original goal weight of 87.6kg in two months. I set a new target of 83.5kg, which I achieved a month later. Even after reaching my goal, I still log my meals and activities multiple times a day.
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“After a health assessment, my doctor noted my BMI, blood pressure and cholesterol were in healthy ranges, and asked me to keep going.”
Simple is an intuitive app that provides a personalised weight-loss programme tailored to someone’s lifestyle and objectives. Users kick off their experience by filling out an extensive questionnaire covering their aspirations, concerns, preferences, and previous weight-loss attempts, before accessing various tools including meal tracking via text, voice or photograph, plus the integrated nutriscanner, reports MyLondon.
The programmes are available on the Simple app
60% off with code ‘REACH60’
Simple
Simple — a smartphone app that can help users achieve their weight loss goals — has launched a 30-minute tai chi walking workout, which could be the perfect way to get in better shape this winter.
The platform also provides customised exercise routines featuring resistance training, cardiovascular workouts and even wall pilates. Now, those keen to embark on their weight loss journey can follow Marcel’s lead, using the code REACH60 to secure a 60% discount on personalised weight loss programmes from the Simple App.
What distinguishes the Simple App is its in-app coach, Avo. This AI-powered personal wellness companion can respond to user questions immediately, providing users with 24/7 access to health and fitness guidance whenever needed.
“I love that I can take a photo of my meal and Avo can track the nutritional value for me,” Marcel explains. “I frequently use Avo’s recipes. Interacting with it feels more like someone who is invested in my health, rather than an AI.”
If this doesn’t quite suit customers’ needs, there’s a variety of other healthy lifestyle applications available. For instance, the Lifesum app assists users in monitoring their eating and exercise habits by logging food, workouts and more, aiming to help foster healthier decisions.
Another alternative could be MyFitnesspal, which is amongst the most beloved food tracking apps. Featuring meal planning, calorie monitoring and exercise routines, it represents another reliable option. Both applications are free but also provide premium versions for users wanting extra support and resources.
Laci before and after using Simple app(Image: Simple)
Meanwhile, mother-of-two Laci Gilbert also achieved success with the Simple app. She went from 275lbs to 116lbs, making use of the workouts and meal planning through Avo.
She explained: “As working mums, wives, mothers, just family members, life takes over and sometimes we don’t have time in the evenings to get ourselves to the gym or sometimes we just don’t feel like moving. The Simple App gives you a no-excuse reason to get up and move, especially when you can do it at home with no equipment.
“It is great for a busy person who needs something to do at home or somebody who cannot afford a gym membership, equipment. All you need is yourself and a wall and you’ve got it,” Laci added, who often indulges in wall pilates workouts at home.
The Simple app has garnered an impressive 4.3 out of 5 star rating on Trustpilot, based on a whopping 29,591 reviews. One user praised: “It is an encouraging way to lose weight.” Another enthused: “This app is amazing. It’s so easy to use and I love all of the interactions.
“It’s easy to follow,” chimed in another user. “I’m actually losing weight I’ve been stuck with forever.”m However, not everyone was completely sold on the app, as one user admitted: “I am finding the program a little difficult to use.”
As the name suggests, the Simple app is really easy to use(Image: Simple)
Our sister paper the Mirror also put the app through its paces, which you can read here. They concluded: “Simple’s range of features are very reminiscent to what you’d get with a personal trainer: someone to hold you accountable, provide you with meal plans and recipes, and to give advice and encouragement.
“There are limitations to it, with the app being a robot, which makes the programme more suited to those who are just getting started or don’t know where to start. If you need more advanced help or your weight loss is stalling, that’s a good time to pick up the phone to a PT.
“However, its food logging and recipe functions makes it worth the price of admission alone. Even though I’m keeping my PT, Simple will help spice things up for me going forward. I highly recommend this app.”