**Woman Credits Lifestyle Shift, Not Surgery or Fads, for 7-Stone Weight Loss**
After years struggling with her weight, Kristy McCammon has managed to lose a remarkable 100 pounds (just over 7 stone) without resorting to surgery, injectable weight-loss drugs, or the latest “miracle” diets. Now 52, Kristy reports feeling happier and healthier than ever before and is hoping her experience can inspire others.
Kristy’s battle with excess weight began in early childhood. She reflected that food was her primary source of comfort and companionship in her formative years. Kristy began hiding snacks at a young age and consistently over-ate, despite already being overweight in primary school. She said, “I tried my first diet at 10, but by secondary school nothing had changed.” As time went on, Kristy’s weight coped with frequent fluctuations, further exacerbated by her five pregnancies.
By the age of 45, she found her weight escalating uncontrollably, alongside a growing sense of desperation. Despite a stable and loving family life—Kristy has been married to Shawn, her partner since she was 15, and together they have five children aged between 12 and 23—the issue of food addiction loomed large. Kristy candidly shared: “Though I was happy at home, my reliance on food had spiralled out of control. I felt powerless to change, even after trying countless diets, pouring over books, and embarking on multiple fitness regimes.”
It was not a particular product, programme, or plan that ultimately prompted Kristy’s breakthrough. Instead, the turning point came through seeking help from a counsellor, who helped her draw what she called “food boundaries.” She realised, with guidance, that she didn’t have to give in to the compulsion to eat constantly or to finish everything available on her plate. The revelation marked the start of a new approach; she recognised that her battle wasn’t just with weight, but with food addiction—specifically a dependence on sugar.
“Admitting I was addicted to sugar was a genuine epiphany,” Kristy stated. She credits prayer and faith as keys in her journey, helping her understand that eating to live didn’t require consuming highly processed foods. From then on, she set herself a simple but effective rule: no more processed sugar or flour. Her meals became structured around three daily sittings, each consisting of whole foods including lean proteins, fresh produce, grains, and healthy fats.
Within months, the results were evident. Kristy shed 100 pounds through what she describes as “abstinence from sugar and flour,” asserting that moderation had never worked for her. Importantly, she highlights the freedom gained—not just from the physical burden, but from the constant mental struggle that had plagued her for decades. “For the first time, I didn’t feel like food was controlling me. At last, food had become fuel rather than an obsession.”
Kristy acknowledges body image remains a complex topic for her, even after such a significant transformation. “I’ve always been uncomfortable with my size and I’m learning that my worth isn’t defined by the number on a scale. Still, feeling lighter and healthier is something I treasure, and my newfound food freedom is priceless.”
Her family noticed not just physical, but also emotional changes. According to Kristy, her husband and children observed her increased happiness and a newfound “lightness” that extended far beyond mere appearance. This shift gave her the motivation to share her story more widely.
Drawing on her personal experience, Kristy is now a certified weight loss coach and specialist in sugar addiction recovery. She has even penned her journey in a book, “Life Unbinged: Faith-Filled Freedom from Food Obsession,” hoping to support others facing similar issues. “Support and community made all the difference for me. Meeting others on the same path offered me accountability, encouragement, and hope,” she explained.
Kristy is now focused on helping others make the same changes. She is keen to stress that while giving up processed sugar might sound daunting, she believes the independence from cravings and obsessiveness is worth it. “Now, I get to guide others along this journey, and that is incredibly rewarding.”
Kristy’s story stands as an example of the potential for lasting change through personal insight, a supportive environment, and a back-to-basics approach to nutrition—offering hope for those weary of quick fixes and fleeting results.