After nearly two decades of attempting various diets, Kelly Allison, at 43, successfully lost 5.5 stone (approximately 35kg). Allison attributes this transformation not solely to diet, but to a series of life changes initiated by leaving her marriage. This period led her to re-evaluate her relationship with food, fitness, and herself.
Allison described a history of yo-yo dieting, starting in her early twenties. She experimented with numerous diets, including Atkins, fasting, juice cleanses, and herbal remedies, often trying to shed weight rapidly before specific events. These methods proved unsustainable, leading to weight regain and a sense of personal failure. She realized that the diets were not addressing the underlying reasons for her eating habits.
Addressing Emotional Eating and Toxic Relationships
She identified emotional eating as a significant factor, describing food as a "comfort blanket" used to cope with unhappiness stemming from unhealthy relationships, including her marriage. Allison noted that being a "people pleaser" and constantly prioritizing others' needs led her to lose sight of her own identity. Leaving her marriage prompted her to question her life, desires, and sources of happiness. As she began to distance herself from toxic relationships and establish healthier boundaries, her reliance on food for emotional solace diminished.
Embracing Strength Training
Allison found that traditional cardio exercises like running were not enjoyable or sustainable for her. Her fitness journey shifted when she joined a gym and began strength training three times a week, with sessions lasting about an hour. The focus was on full-body strength training, with particular attention to rebuilding core strength after two C-sections. This approach, she found, was not only effective but also therapeutic, leading to a loss of approximately 3 stone (19kg) in the first year and a feeling of empowerment. She stated that exercise began to feel empowering rather than punitive.
Shifting Approach to Food and Introducing Medication
Contrary to the idea of a strict diet, Allison adopted a more mindful approach to eating, increasing fruit and vegetable intake and managing portion sizes. She did not ban foods, including chocolate, which she enjoys. The key difference, she explained, was eating foods for enjoyment rather than as an emotional coping mechanism.
When her weight loss plateaued after about a year, Allison explored weight-loss injections and began using Mounjaro. She used the lowest starting dose, 2.5mg, for approximately ten weeks, which she credits with helping her lose the final 2.5 stone (16kg) rapidly. She observed that the medication significantly altered her appetite, making food less dominant in her thoughts. Allison also noted improvements in her skin, reduced puffiness, increased energy, and a reduction in symptoms of her ulcerative colitis during this period. She eventually stopped Mounjaro as the weight loss was occurring too quickly.
Impact on Relationships and Personal Growth
Following her weight loss, Allison underwent abdominoplasty and a tummy tuck to address excess skin and repair abdominal muscles. She noted that this decision met with judgment from some friends, which reinforced her understanding of genuine support. The experience led to the end of some friendships but strengthened others, resulting in a smaller but more supportive social circle.
Allison emphasizes the importance of mental and emotional well-being, stating that weight loss begins in the mind. She dedicated significant time to self-work through reading and listening to podcasts on topics like attachment styles and emotional eating. She believes that addressing internal issues made the physical changes more achievable. Currently weighing between 50-55kg, Allison has maintained her weight for over 18 months since stopping Mounjaro, continuing to enjoy food and drink without the pressure of dieting. She views her journey's greatest achievement as discovering her true self.
New episodes of "Health Applied," hosted by Kelly Allison, are released weekly on various podcast platforms and YouTube.