How I Overcame Self-Doubt, Menopause, and Weight Gain
For years, I felt trapped in my own body. At 19 stone, even the simplest movements felt impossible.
Listen to Rachael's episode
I was convinced that something was medically wrong with me—I couldn’t understand why I struggled so much just to move. Deep down, I knew I needed to make a change, but I had no idea where to start. I was approaching 50, desperate for a solution, and terrified that I would spend the rest of my life feeling this way.
Then, something unexpected happened. I lost my job. It should have been a devastating moment, but in hindsight, it was a blessing in disguise. For the first time in years, I had the time to focus on myself, to truly search for something that could help me make a lasting change. That’s when I discovered Slimpod.
"I listened to Trevor’s voice for the first time, and something inside me shifted. The very next day, my cravings—especially for crisps and junk food—were gone."
The Turning Point
It was as if a switch had flipped in my brain. Suddenly, I wasn’t controlled by my unhealthy eating habits. I began to see a way forward, one that didn’t involve constant dieting or depriving myself. Instead, it was about making better choices, about changing my mindset from the inside out.
With this new sense of freedom, I started moving more. At first, it was just walking 10,000 steps a day, but as the weight came off, my confidence grew. I was no longer telling myself that I was “too old” to lose weight or that I’d always be overweight. Instead, I believed in myself for the first time in years. And that belief fueled my transformation. I am now a runner, if you told me that before I wouldn’t have believed you! Now I believe in me.
The Transformation: I found my spark again
Over 13 months, I lost seven stone. Not only that, but I maintained it for a year. I felt incredible, like I had finally reclaimed the person I was meant to be. My son’s wedding was a defining moment—I felt proud, confident, and truly happy. But after the wedding, things started to change. Menopause hit, and with it came a storm of negative self-talk. My self-worth plummeted, and before I knew it, I was slipping back into old habits. I gained two stone and felt like I was losing control all over again.
That’s when I reached out for help. I had withdrawn from the Slimpod community, quietly struggling, but a conversation with Sandra brought me back. She reminded me of my “why.” She gave me a new reason to refocus and reclaim my progress. And just like that, I found my spark again.
I felt like myself again
I reconnected with everything that had worked before—the mindset shifts, the small daily wins, the goal-setting. This wasn’t about dieting or obsessing over weight. It was about how I wanted to feel. I stopped fixating on menopause, stopped taking endless supplements, and instead, I put my energy into moving my body and nourishing it with good food. The weight started coming off again, and in just eight weeks, I had already lost a stone.
But more importantly, I felt like myself again. My energy was back, my positivity returned, and I found joy in movement.
know that change is possible
This journey has taught me that setbacks are just part of the process. Life isn’t linear, and neither is weight loss. But with Slimpod, I learned how to take back control, again and again. If you’re struggling, know that change is possible. It’s not about willpower or strict rules. It’s about believing in yourself, setting a vision for the future, and taking small steps toward it every day.
I’m living proof that you can reset your mindset, no matter how far you’ve strayed. You just have to remind yourself of who you truly are—and go after it with everything you’ve got.
How I Overcame Self-Doubt,
Menopause, and Weight Gain
I lost 7st then beat the
menopause mindset
Rachael Buckett’s story
For years, I felt trapped in my own body. At 19 stone, even the simplest movements felt impossible. I was convinced that something was medically wrong with me—I couldn’t understand why I struggled so much just to move. Deep down, I knew I needed to make a change, but I had no idea where to start. I was approaching 50, desperate for a solution, and terrified that I would spend the rest of my life feeling this way.
Then, something unexpected happened. I lost my job. It should have been a devastating moment, but in hindsight, it was a blessing in disguise. For the first time in years, I had the time to focus on myself, to truly search for something that could help me make a lasting change. That’s when I discovered Slimpod.
Outdoor girl Rachael – then and now
I listened to Trevor’s voice for the first time, and something inside me shifted. The very next day, my cravings—especially for crisps and junk food—were gone. It was as if a switch had flipped in my brain. Suddenly, I wasn’t controlled by my unhealthy eating habits. I began to see a way forward, one that didn’t involve constant dieting or depriving myself. Instead, it was about making better choices, about changing my mindset from the inside out.
With this new sense of freedom, I started moving more. At first, it was just walking 10,000 steps a day, but as the weight came off, my confidence grew. I was no longer telling myself that I was “too old” to lose weight or that I’d always be overweight. Instead, I believed in myself for the first time in years. And that belief fueled my transformation. I am now a runner, if you told me that before I wouldn’t have believed you! Now I believe in me.
Today Rachael feels so confident
Over 13 months, I lost seven stone. Not only that, but I maintained it for a year. I felt incredible, like I had finally reclaimed the person I was meant to be. My son’s wedding was a defining moment—I felt proud, confident, and truly happy. But after the wedding, things started to change. Menopause hit, and with it came a storm of negative self-talk. My self-worth plummeted, and before I knew it, I was slipping back into old habits. I gained two stone and felt like I was losing control all over again.
That’s when I reached out for help. I had withdrawn from the Slimpod community, quietly struggling, but a conversation with Sandra brought me back. She reminded me of my “why.” She gave me a new reason to refocus and reclaim my progress. And just like that, I found my spark again.
Rachael on the cover of Woman’s Own
I reconnected with everything that had worked before—the mindset shifts, the small daily wins, the goal-setting. This wasn’t about dieting or obsessing over weight. It was about how I wanted to feel. I stopped fixating on menopause, stopped taking endless supplements, and instead, I put my energy into moving my body and nourishing it with good food. The weight started coming off again, and in just eight weeks, I had already lost a stone.
But more importantly, I felt like myself again. My energy was back, my positivity returned, and I found joy in movement. Cycling became my passion—I’ve done 68K rides and love every second of it. My approach is more balanced now. I exercise every day, but in a way that fits my lifestyle. I don’t feel the need to binge anymore; instead, I focus on three wins every day—staying active, eating well, and feeling accomplished. Running is another of my new passions, I have now completed a half marathon and have another planned for May.
Rachael loves her whole new lifestyle
This journey has taught me that setbacks are just part of the process. Life isn’t linear, and neither is weight loss. But with Slimpod, I learned how to take back control, again and again. If you’re struggling, know that change is possible. It’s not about willpower or strict rules. It’s about believing in yourself, setting a vision for the future, and taking small steps toward it every day.
I’m living proof that you can reset your mindset, no matter how far you’ve strayed. You just have to remind yourself of who you truly are—and go after it with everything you’ve got.
