It’s fun discovering
the size 14 new me
It’s fun discovering
the size 14 new me
Poppy Hinton’s story
My whole perception of myself has changed dramatically thanks to Slimpod. I went roller skating with my daughter, which I never would have done when I was a size 24. I’d have been too embarrassed to get out there.
The old me would have thought: ‘What if I fell, how would they get me back up? People might look at me.’ After all this time, I’m still having fun discovering the new me. And the new me is now a size 14!
As I explained briefly in Sandra’s book The Weight’s Over: Take Back Control, for ten years, I’d had a conversation rattling around in my head. It was with a lovely young lady who had children and had put on weight, but she was so content with herself that she didn’t even care whether she lost weight or not.
I remember thinking at the time: ‘My God, that’s amazing, you’re thinking about loving yourself as you are.’ Ever since, I’d been trying to decide if I could love the person that I was.
But my size had really crept up, despite years of dieting, and then Covid hit. It was a challenging time, and I vowed 100 per cent that I was not dying on a diet. That’s when I went full-on: ‘Let’s eat everything in the world.’ Before I knew it, I was a size 24, tired, and feeling sorry for myself.
Then and now: The new-look Poppy Hinton
I’d stand in front of the mirror in horrible clothes, looking miserable. I was frustrated with myself, and it felt like I had no control. My weight made me feel heavy in every sense—physically, mentally, and emotionally. It was New Year’s Eve, and I remember being utterly exhausted and feeling sorry for myself. I needed a change.
On New Year’s Day three years ago, I made a decision: I want to be happy again. I started looking for something that would change my mindset. That’s when I discovered Slimpod.
I didn’t start with an ambitious goal—I just wanted to feel better. I had tried every diet under the sun and failed each time, so this time, I knew I needed something different. And the changes started happening in the most unexpected ways.
The first thing I noticed was that I stopped snacking. Just like that. It felt like magic.
Suddenly, instead of eating a whole box of sweet grapes without even thinking, I’d put some in a small bowl and be satisfied. It was the awareness that made all the difference. Once I became aware of my habits, I could change them.
Bread became something I no longer craved. Shop-bought sandwiches all seemed boring now. I used to think I needed a sandwich, a drink, and something sweet to feel satisfied—now, I prefer a salad. Burgers and chips? I’ll never have them again—not because I can’t, but because I don’t want them.
I started looking at other people’s plates and thinking, ‘That’s far too much food.’ I used to eat everything in front of me without even questioning it, but now I listen to my body.
One of the biggest changes for me was how I dealt with emotions. Before, if something upset me, I would definitely have turned to food. Now, if I feel like I’m having a wobbly moment, I don’t automatically reach for something to eat. Instead, I write down all the positive things about my day and focus on that.
That simple habit—shifting my attention to what’s good—has been life-changing. I used to let negative moments consume me, but now, I reframe them.
Instead of thinking, ‘I’ve had a bad day,’ I think, ‘What are the good things that happened today?’ There’s always something.
And it’s not just my eating habits that changed—it’s my confidence. Today, I’m a size 14. And I now have the confidence and desire to celebrate things properly. I can wear something a little bit tighter, embrace how I look, and enjoy every moment.
I even committed to an exercise challenge to raise money for charity—something I never would have done before. I was excited, scared, and determined. And I did it—I ran 100k (62 miles) before my fiftieth birthday. It was the biggest personal victory I’ve ever had.
Before, I would never have believed I could do something like that. I wasn’t a runner. I used to make excuses—what if I look stupid? What if I hurt myself? What if I fail? But Slimpod taught me to stop making excuses and just do it anyway.
Now, I feel braver. More confident. I love life more. My anxiety is different now—I manage it rather than let it control me.
I say yes to things I would have avoided before. I move out of my comfort zone. I am proud of myself in a way I never expected. My default setting is happy and positive. That’s why I was thrilled when Sandra asked me to share my story in The Weight’s Over: Take Back Control.
One of the biggest surprises has been how much I enjoy food now—but in a completely different way. Before Slimpod, I lived on leftovers. Lunch was just a repeat of dinner from the night before—often huge portions of pasta or shepherd’s pie. I never thought about whether I needed that much food; I just ate whatever was there.
Now, I make conscious choices. My meals are different. Lunch is something lighter, not just another huge portion. I’m more in tune with what my body needs.
I’ve also discovered that I don’t actually like a lot of the foods I used to eat! Shop-bought sandwiches taste bland to me now. Burgers and chips seem greasy and unappetising. Even chocolate—something I once craved—tastes different. I can eat a couple of squares and be satisfied.
Slimpod has given me the confidence to do things I never imagined. I don’t just sit back and watch anymore—I participate. I’ve stopped waiting for the “perfect time” to enjoy life. I don’t save clothes for special occasions anymore—I wear them now. Every day is a special occasion because I am here, living my life.
The biggest change isn’t just my weight—it’s how I feel. For years, I thought I needed to be smaller to be happy. But now I know happiness comes from living fully, being present, and loving who you are right now.
And that is the greatest win of all.
