‘I lost 12st barely doing exercise and eating what I want - but three rules were key to my success’

Mel, who goes by @mellymaysworld on TikTok, thought exercise was the backbone of weight loss before embarking on her journey, but now challenges this widely held belief.

Her journey, which concluded in September 2023, saw the slimmer drop from 22 stone 7 pounds to their goal weight of 12 stone.

“I have lost 168lbs (12st)," she declared in a clip. “I started my weight loss journey at 315 lbs (22st 7lb) and I hit my goal weight of 12 st down in September 2023."

What makes Mel's achievement particularly noteworthy is the rejection of intense gym workouts in favour of simpler, more sustainable methods.

“I always get asked if I did a lot of exercise on my journey and to be honest I barely did anything,” she confessed.

“I know that we’ve all been tricked by diet culture that we need to consistently be in the gym and sweating our bollocks off to lose weight, but it’s just not true.

“Exercise doesn’t equate to much on the scale for fat loss as much as we thought it did. Honestly just hoovering around the house and going out for a walk does much more for fat loss than going to the gym and pumping your guns out. "

Instead of relying on gruelling gym sessions, the dieter found success through simple daily walks.

“For the first six months of my journey I went for an hour-long walk every single day," Mel shared. “Walking is free, walking is easy, it’s low impact and it does a lot for fat loss."

While daily walks helped massively, maintaining a calorie deficit was at the heart of Mel's transformation, she stressed.

“Anything you can do to make your mind feel good and anything you enjoy, do it, but it’s not necessary for fat loss. Calories are what matters most."

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS

• The amount of water to drink every day if you want to lose weight
• ‘A popular machine at the gym helped me lose 1st 5lb - the results showed within a month’
• The best supplements to take in each decade to improve skin elasticity and more

To maintain a sustainable approach, Mel abstained from mainstream diet habits like eliminating entire food groups.

“Things like upping your protein and fibre intake will ensure you feel fuller for longer, and of course carbohydrates are great for keeping your energy levels up," Mel shared. “Don’t partake in diet culture and cut out all the carbohydrates, our bodies need them just as any other macronutrient.

“I owe my success to being non-restrictive on my diet. The less restrictive you are on this journey the more sustainable your journey will be.

“I am living proof that you can eat whatever you want and still lose weight, as long as you eat within your calorie goal."