Karen Heffernan, from near Glasgow, shed a staggering 13-and-a-half stone over the course of around 18 months, which equates to losing more than half her body weight without ever counting a single calorie.News
Narin Flanders and Tom Capon Affiliates Lead, South and Wales
10:07, 27 Apr 2025
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Karen Haffernan has shared her weight loss journey after losing more than 13 stone(Image: Simple)
A woman from Scotland who shed over half her body weight has attributed her remarkable transformation to small, consistent changes. Karen Heffernan, residing just outside Glasgow, decided to take control of her health following a minor health scare and a challenging discussion with a surgeon.
Rather than obsessing over calories, she utilised a fitness app to implement a series of minor, gradual changes. Over approximately 18 months, she lost an impressive 13 and a half stone, more than half her initial weight of 26 and a half stone.
Karen asserts that she’s now in the best physical and mental shape of her life, stating: “I can’t believe it’s actually been so simple. I’ve not felt deprived along the way, my motto just now is ‘delay don’t deny.’ You can have the treats, you have the yin and the yang, you build things up.
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“This isn’t through surgery, it’s not through medication or any of that, some vitamins along the way, yes, but good food, good exercise, good sleep and motivation to keep you going along the way. She detailed how this health overhaul has positively impacted her life, providing her with increased energy among other benefits. She added: “It’s little things like going out for a meal and not having to worry about where you’re sitting or going on an aeroplane and not worrying, if you’re in the middle seat, about encroaching on anyone else.
The popularity of fitness and wellbeing apps has surged in recent years, particularly during the pandemic as individuals sought ways to maintain their fitness during lockdown. From meal tracking apps like MyFitnessPal and LoseIt to digital workout programmes such as Hevy, there’s now a plethora of tools available to assist people in achieving their fitness goals.
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If shoppers want to try the Simple app for themselves, it’s currently 60 per cent off with code REACH60
The Simple app amalgamates various features from these apps, offering fitness options that range from strength training and cardio to chair yoga, along with a suite of other high-tech tools. It includes NutriScanner, which can assess the nutritional value of meals using just a photo, and an intermittent fasting tracker for those who prefer this method over calorie counting, reports the Mirror.
This approach is also utilised in Michael Mosley’s 16:8 plan, which aims to boost metabolism by adjusting meal timings. Additionally, the app features an AI-powered assistant, Avo, which offers advice and answers questions throughout the user’s fitness journey.
Currently, the Simple app is offering a 60% discount for all new signups using the code REACH60 at checkout. Upon signing up, users will be asked to complete an online questionnaire about their diet and exercise preferences and goals.
This information is used to create a fully customised plan tailored to each individual’s needs and schedule.
Karen detailed her weight loss journey, stating: “I started small, I found the intermittent fasting lifestyle, did a lot of research and I gradually built things up. Simple was a great way to track the fasts that I was doing and gives you tips along the way. I also introduced Avo, which was great in giving you some tips for health and nutrition and making recipes.”
(Image: Simple )
She shared her advice for others: “One of my first tips is to just keep going. Guilt? Get it out the window. There’s always the next day where you can start again and get on the journey. Exercise is really important. Now I do core stability, I’m doing pilates and you can’t stop me from walking. I take the family on little walks after a meal.”
Karen is among the more than 17 million users worldwide who have turned to the app as a tool to improve their fitness levels. Her testimonial was compensated by Simple and results with the app can differ; individuals should seek medical advice before undergoing significant lifestyle changes.
The Simple App boasts an impressive average rating of 4.2 out of 5 on Trustpilot, with over 28,000 reviews to back it up. A recent five-star reviewer couldn’t help but share their enthusiasm for the app: “Love this app. It’s teaching me how to make eating healthy and being active a lifestyle that I can continue on my own. Love the workouts that I can adjust from low to high depending on my time and energy. Logging food and water is easy, as well as using their AI to get recipes from a list that I have in my pantry and fridge to scanning menus at restaurants to help me choose the best option.”
Another user applauded the app’s motivational aspect: “The coach is helpful. Also, when I fall off track the coach doesn’t make me feel like I failed the day. It is very encouraging and helps keep me motivated and focused.”
The app isn’t without its critics, however; one three-star review stated: “I feel tied to my phone. It’s not good for me.”
Yet for another user, the convenience was a significant advantage, stating it’s ‘one of the best weight loss and lifestyle apps I’ve ever used,’ and went on to add: “It’s the best culmination of evidence based strategies (fasting, Mediterranean diet, mindfulness, etc) plus the power of AI, which is like having a personal health coach or therapist in your pocket. Also, I love that tracking is so easy and more focused on the quality of food choices vs cumbersome portion size and nutrition tracking like programs of the past.”
The Simple app can be downloaded on both Android and iOS devices, and is currently offering a 60% discount with the use of the code REACH60 at checkout.