## Woman Sheds Four Stone and Maintains Weight Loss for Five Years – All Without Saying Goodbye to Ice Cream
For many, the prospect of losing weight conjures images of strict diets, restrictive food lists, and sacrificing much-loved treats. Yet one woman has upended these assumptions, showcasing a more balanced approach to healthy living that’s resonated with thousands.
Brianna Alexander, an ordinary woman with a busy life, managed to lose over four stone (27 kg) and, perhaps more significantly, keep the weight off for half a decade. What sets Brianna’s journey apart from countless others is her refusal to forego her beloved ice cream as she pursued her health goals. Her story presents an argument for a more sustainable, enjoyable route to weight management—challenging the idea that all indulgences must be eliminated.
Before her transformation, Brianna found herself in a rut of unhealthy eating habits. Stress eating and late-night binges had become all too familiar, leaving her feeling lethargic and dissatisfied with her body’s appearance and energy levels. “At that time, I was eating a lot of fast food, skipping out on fruits and vegetables, and relying on caffeine to get me through the day,” she admitted.
Many seeking a healthier lifestyle turn to restrictive diets or gruelling exercise regimens, but Brianna opted for a different approach. Her turning point came in 2020 when she downloaded the Simple app, a digital tool that guides users towards personalised nutrition and fitness goals. At a time when she felt particularly unmoored regarding her health and fitness trajectory, the app provided her with tailored advice and practical support.
A distinctive feature of Brianna’s regime was the focus on intermittent fasting—a method involving structured periods of eating and fasting. While at first, she feared feelings of constant hunger and irritability, her worries were quickly allayed. “I realised pretty fast that my hunger wasn’t just about not eating; it was about what I was eating. Once I started tracking my nutrition, it became clear that my diet had been low in quality foods, and that had been making me feel much worse throughout the day.”
The app not only taught Brianna about balanced eating, but also helped her understand the kind of foods that would keep her energised and satisfied. By offering a daily nutrition score and practical feedback, Brianna was able to experiment with her diet, ultimately creating meal plans and grocery lists tailored to her needs. “Having that sort of guidance week by week helped me set goals and stick with them. It takes the guesswork out for anyone who might not know where to start.”
Crucially, Brianna found that enjoying treats needn’t be off-limits. She openly discusses her deep appreciation for ice cream, and how she was able to work this into her healthier eating plans. “Ice cream was always my weakness, but I discovered there are alternatives with fewer calories and more protein. I didn’t have to give it up—I just had to fit it in properly and make sure the rest of my nutrition was in check.”
Brianna’s long-term success has also inspired others. Feedback from users of the Simple app on platforms such as Trustpilot has largely echoed her positive experiences, noting the ease of checking nutritional information and the value of ongoing support. Nonetheless, some users note a steep learning curve, stating that a comprehensive tutorial would be welcome to help navigate the numerous features.
It’s worth noting that the Simple app is one of several tools available for those looking to improve their health while maintaining a realistic relationship with food. Other programmes, such as Lifesum and Noom, also provide frameworks for meal tracking, behavioural support, and intermittent fasting guidance.
Ultimately, Brianna’s experience challenges conventional narratives around dieting and weight maintenance. Her journey demonstrates that a focus on education, moderation, and self-awareness may be more important than willpower alone. Most importantly, it proves that reaching health goals doesn’t have to come at the expense of life’s small pleasures—even something as universally cherished as ice cream.