{"id":166923,"date":"2025-09-28T23:22:11","date_gmt":"2025-09-28T23:22:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/166923\/"},"modified":"2025-09-28T23:22:11","modified_gmt":"2025-09-28T23:22:11","slug":"woman-who-lost-half-her-body-weight-with-ai-app-says-its-actually-been-so-simple","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/166923\/","title":{"rendered":"Woman who lost half her body weight with AI app says &#8216;it&#8217;s actually been so simple&#8217;"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The coaching app that has been used by over 17 million slimmer&#8217;s has been hailed as &#8220;one of the best weight loss and lifestyle apps&#8221;<a class=\"AuthorLink_author-link__rg5qj\" data-tmdatatrack=\"author\" data-testid=\"byline-author\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/authors\/laura-udall\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Laura Mckenna<\/a> Audience Writer, Kerri-Ann Roper and Kerri Ann Roper<\/p>\n<p>17:33, 27 Sep 2025<\/p>\n<p>This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/affiliates\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Learn more<\/a><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/0_imagemaker-4.jpg\" alt=\"Karen Heffernan\" loading=\"eager\"  \/>Karen Heffernan has shared her incredible weight loss journey(Image:  Simple)<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"mirror\">A Glaswegian woman has completely overhauled her life by making a series of small, manageable changes that led to an astonishing weight loss of over 14 stone. Karen Heffernan, who once tipped the scales at 26 and a half stone, took control of her weight following a &#8220;health scare&#8221; and a tough conversation with her surgeon.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"mirror\">Instead of embarking on a restrictive diet, Karen turned to the <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/go.linkby.com\/NXUJARQM\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Simple app Link opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Simple app <\/a>which guided her through a series of minor, incremental adjustments. Over roughly 18 months, this approach helped her shed an astounding 14 and a half stone (94kg), bringing her to less than half of her initial body weight.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"mirror\">Now feeling at her physical and mental peak, Karen said: &#8220;I can&#8217;t believe it&#8217;s actually been so simple. I&#8217;ve not felt deprived along the way, my motto just now is &#8216;delay don&#8217;t deny.&#8217; You can have the treats, you have the yin and the yang, you build things up.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"mirror\">She added: &#8220;This isn&#8217;t through surgery, it&#8217;s not through medication or any of that, some vitamins along the way, yes, but good food, good exercise, good sleep and motivation to keep you going along the way.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"mirror\">She described how her health journey had <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/go.linkby.com\/NXUJARQM\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"transformed every aspect of her lifeLink opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">transformed every aspect of her life<\/a>, providing her with increased energy as well as numerous other benefits. She continued: &#8220;It&#8217;s little things like going out for a meal and not having to worry about where you&#8217;re sitting or going on an aeroplane and not worrying, if you&#8217;re in the middle seat, about encroaching on anyone else,&#8221; reports <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.examinerlive.co.uk\/whats-on\/shopping\/woman-halves-her-body-weight-32506795\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Yorkshire LiveLink opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Yorkshire Live<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The simple app has 60% off with new code<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/0_simple.jpg\" alt=\"Content Image\" fetchpriority=\"auto\"\/><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/go.linkby.com\/NXUJARQM\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Simple app is an AI coaching appLink opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Simple app is an AI coaching app<\/a> designed to offer personalised daily workouts, science backed coaching and nutrition analysis, to help people shed the pounds and feel healthier.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"mirror\">Karen attributes her healthy weight loss and lack of loose skin to the <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/go.linkby.com\/NXUJARQM\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"diet advice from the Simple appLink opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">diet advice from the Simple app<\/a>. By losing weight at a steady rate, she managed to avoid the cosmetic surgery often linked with dramatic body transformations.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"mirror\">This success story underscores a wider trend in health and wellness. Fitness and wellness <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/apps\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">apps<\/a> have seen a surge in popularity, particularly during the pandemic when individuals sought ways to stay active during lockdowns. Consequently, there are plenty a of digital tools now readily available to help people lose weight.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"mirror\">These range from meal-tracking platforms like <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.myfitnesspal.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"MyFitnessPal Link opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">MyFitnessPal <\/a>and <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.loseit.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"LoseItLink opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">LoseIt<\/a>, to digital workout regimes such as <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hevyapp.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Hevy,Link opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Hevy,<\/a> making it simpler than ever to have a fitness coach at your fingertips. The Simple app combines various features from these apps into one comprehensive platform, offering workouts that span from strength training and cardio to chair yoga, along with other more advanced tools.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"mirror\">The Simple app also boasts <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/go.linkby.com\/NXUJARQM\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Avo, an AI-powered assistant Link opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Avo, an AI-powered assistant <\/a>designed to provide advice and answer queries at every stage of the journey. For new users, the app is currently on offer at a 60% discount when you use the code <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/go.linkby.com\/NXUJARQM\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"REACH60 at checkoutLink opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">REACH60 at checkout<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"mirror\">To begin, users complete a brief online questionnaire about their diet and fitness goals. The app then utilises this information to create a fully personalised programme that suits their specific needs and schedule.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/0_Simple-app-screenshot.jpg\" alt=\"AI-powered assistant, Avo\" loading=\"lazy\"  \/>AI-powered assistant, Avo, is included with the Simple app(Image: Simple)<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"mirror\">Karen said: &#8220;Simple was a brilliant way to monitor what I was doing and receive guidance along the way. I also brought in Avo, which was fantastic for providing health and nutrition advice and creating recipes.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"mirror\">Following her transformation, Karen also offered some wisdom of her own for anyone keen to start in a short video: &#8220;One of my first tips is to just keep going. Guilt? Get it out the window. There&#8217;s always the next day where you can start again and get on the journey.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"mirror\">&#8220;Exercise is also really important. Now I do core stability, I&#8217;m doing Pilates and you can&#8217;t stop me from walking. I take the family on little walks after a meal.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"mirror\">Karen is among more than 17 million people who have downloaded Simple since it launched and she has received payment from Simple for her genuine views following her transformation. Naturally, results can vary and professional medical advice is recommended before making any significant lifestyle changes.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"mirror\">The <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/go.linkby.com\/NXUJARQM\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Simple AppLink opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Simple App<\/a> maintains an average rating of 4.2 out of 5 on Trustpilot, based on over 28,000 reviewers. One recent five-star reviewer said: &#8220;Love this app. It&#8217;s teaching me how to make eating healthy and being active a lifestyle that I can continue on my own.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"mirror\">&#8220;Love the workouts that I can adjust from low to high depending on my time and energy. Logging food and water is easy, as well as using their AI to get recipes from a list that I have in my pantry and fridge to scanning menus at restaurants to help me choose the best option.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/1759101731_775_0_Capture.jpg\" alt=\"Karen Heffernan opened up about how she transformed her fitness on a video diary\" loading=\"lazy\"  \/>Karen Heffernan opened up about how she transformed her fitness on a video diary(Image: Simple)<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"mirror\">One user was keen to highlight Avo&#8217;s role in maintaining their progress, stating: &#8220;The coach is helpful. Also, when I fall off track the coach doesn&#8217;t make me feel like I failed the day. It is very encouraging and helps keep me motivated and focused.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"mirror\">However, the app isn&#8217;t a perfect fit for everyone. One individual gave a balanced review with a three-star rating, remarking: &#8220;I feel tied to my phone. It&#8217;s not good for me.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"mirror\">For another user, having such features readily available on their mobile was a significant advantage, describing the app as &#8216;one of the best weight loss and lifestyle apps I&#8217;ve ever used,&#8217; before adding: &#8220;It&#8217;s the best culmination of evidence based strategies (Mediterranean diet, mindfulness, etc) plus the power of AI, which is like having a personal health coach or therapist in your pocket. Also, I love that tracking is so easy and more focused on the quality of food choices vs cumbersome portion size and nutrition tracking like programs of the past.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"mirror\"><a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/go.linkby.com\/NXUJARQM\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"The Simple appLink opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">The Simple app<\/a> can be downloaded on both Android and iOS devices, and currently has a <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/go.linkby.com\/NXUJARQM\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"60% discount when using the code REACH60Link opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">60% discount when using the code REACH60<\/a> at checkout.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The coaching app that has been used by over 17 million slimmer&#8217;s has been hailed as &#8220;one of&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":166924,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[20],"tags":[554,733,4308,616,6647,1991,18528,86,56,54,55,6959],"class_list":{"0":"post-166923","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-artificial-intelligence","8":"tag-ai","9":"tag-artificial-intelligence","10":"tag-artificialintelligence","11":"tag-diet","12":"tag-fitness","13":"tag-food","14":"tag-shopping-picks","15":"tag-technology","16":"tag-uk","17":"tag-united-kingdom","18":"tag-unitedkingdom","19":"tag-vitamins"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/166923","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=166923"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/166923\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/166924"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=166923"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=166923"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=166923"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}