Olivia Malone, from Irlam, Salford, previously admitted that her university life led to the adoption of some unhealthy eating practices. While studying for her undergraduate degree in Huddersfield and her postgraduate qualification in Salford, Olivia would often opt for meal deals during lunchtimes and indulge in evening takeaways, following them with alcohol-laden nights out with friends.

After receiving a set of scales as a gift from a friend, Olivia faced the reality of her situation when they revealed she weighed in at 17 stone 7lbs. This moment served as a catalyst for Olivia, 26, to abandon short-lived diet trends and instead focus on educating herself about nutrition – a decision partly influenced by fitness posts she spotted on Instagram.

Olivia took advantage of the first Covid lockdown in 2020 to steer her life onto a healthier path, embarking on a job that demanded physical activity, which paired nicely with her new resolve. Her efforts have proven fruitful, resulting in her impressive drop from a size 24 to a size 10, shedding an astonishing 8 stone in weight.

Discussing her journey with the Manchester Evening News back in 2023, Olivia shared: “In the first lockdown I got a job that required me to be active, so I thought I might as well start trying to be more healthy.”

She also expressed her shock at her former weight, saying: “My friend had lost a stone, and she bought me some scales and sent them to my house. I didn’t know what my weight was, until then I didn’t have a clue, I just knew I was very overweight – but was stunned to see I was 17 stone 7lb.”

Reflecting on her past attempts at dieting, she revealed: “Ever since high school I’d done every fad diet going but I never stuck to them. I was always big as a younger girl, but when I went to university it got even worse.

“I wasn’t cooking properly, it was a case of noodles, turkey dinosaurs and smiley faces. It was pure laziness, and it took its toll.”

Her typical lunch consisted of meal deals, featuring sandwiches, crisps, and fizzy drinks, while evenings often involved takeaways with friends. She recalled: “We’d order takeaways from the local pizza place or Chinese – it’s just what we’d do at university, we’d cry we had no money but then buy takeaways.

“But it only seemed to be me putting on weight. We’d also be out three or four nights a week and I’d drink anything and everything, as you do at uni.”

However, everything changed when Olivia took it upon herself to learn about nutrition, understanding her daily calorie and nutrient needs.

By recreating her favourite dishes at home with healthier alternatives and incorporating exercise, she successfully lost weight. Olivia shared: “I decided to properly educate myself, I taught myself about nutrition. I followed an exercise influencer on Instagram called Courtney Black, I would follow her religiously for her workouts, and then it was all about teaching myself a healthy relationship with food.

“I’d switch out things for lower calories. By counting calories, I would find out what my calories needed to be, and stick to it religiously, I was so strict at the beginning and at the start I was losing a stone a month for the first three to four months.”

Another pivotal moment was when she swapped her usual takeaways for homemade “fakeaways” – healthier versions of the high-calorie meals she’d indulge in at university.

She might, for example, whip up a chicken burger with blended breast meat or air-fry salt and pepper chips. She noted: “I make fakeaways and they honestly taste a lot nicer because it’s fresher and I’ve made it all myself. I genuinely don’t miss takeaways at all because I know I can make them taste just as nice.”

After losing weight, Olivia enjoyed increased energy levels and even took on the Couch to 5K app—a beginner’s NHS running plan. Initially unable to run, she steadily improved her endurance.

Olivia revealed: “Now, I’ve just completed my first half marathon this year [2023] – in Manchester – which I did in two and a half hours. I’ve now applied to do my first marathon in Barcelona next year [2024]. I also go to the gym, I make a point of going to the gym five nights a week, sometimes it’s for running or weight training or other types of cardio.”

Olivia has integrated movement into her day-to-day life, working in an office. Rather than remaining sedentary and scrolling through social media, she opts for 30-minute walks most days.

Her transformation has received praise from family and friends, who are astounded by her progress. Whenever she posts before-and-after pictures on social media, many express disbelief at remembering her prior to her wellness journey.

Olivia shared: “My mum is my biggest fan, she says how proud she is of me. But it’s nice that friends are also now asking my advice on what to eat and how to run, I’d love to inspire others.”