‘I didn’t surrender something’: Ex-teacher, 55, dropped 2 gown sizes with app
Sam Matthews turned to the Simple app to shift the pounds and focus on her long-term health goals – and it worked
Sam wanted to find a realistic weight loss routine that worked for her body(Image: Simple)
As temperatures soar, so does the pressure to achieve the perfect “beach body”, putting body confidence firmly in the spotlight. For many Brits, summer sparks a fresh wave of fitness goals, but constantly jumping from one fad diet to the next can be exhausting and disappointing.
That’s why more people are turning away from quick fixes in favour of simpler, more sustainable ways to lose weight that fit around everyday life. One app that’s been quietly building a loyal following is Simple, thanks to its personalised plans and realistic approach to weight loss.
Among those giving it a go is 55-year-old retired teacher Sam Matthews from the West Country, who discovered the Simple app after spotting it on social media while battling a series of health problems. Recalling the difficult period, she said: “In my mid-forties I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia after a series of physical illnesses, and it was awful actually.”
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Sam continued: “Alongside arthritis in my toes, I had to give up my running, and I’m very much an all-or-nothing person. And because I couldn’t exercise, what was the point of eating healthily? The weight piled on, and suddenly I was huffing and puffing around, feeling really self-conscious, embarrassed, and in pain.”
Further into her transformation, Sam Matthews returned to the Simple app in search of a more sustainable approach, saying she eventually “managed to get down probably by about 30 pounds.” The impressive weight loss helped her build a routine that better suited her body, especially as she found that “things that had worked in the past don’t necessarily work now,” reports the Mirror.
Try the Simple app
Users can get 80% off Simple Weight Loss Plans with the code ‘REACH’
Rather than depending on rigid calorie counting or cutting out whole food groups, the app concentrates on small, achievable habits that are genuinely simple to stick with. Right now, new users can secure up to 80% off plans by using the code REACH.
Currently working part-time in community positions, Sam explains she maintains an active, outdoor-centred lifestyle and describes herself as neurodiverse (ADHD). However, with an extensive history of weight cycling, she was determined to find a method that would integrate weight loss with improving her long-term health objectives rather than simply altering her appearance.
Since using the Simple app more consistently from mid-January, Sam reports she has successfully shed a remarkable “24 pounds.” Now back within a healthy weight bracket, she enthusiastically revealed she’s gone from “squeezing into my UK size 14s” back down to her “UK size 10s,” an achievement she’s genuinely thrilled about.
She said: “I use the app every day. I find it really beneficial. There were other benefits too – I was still sleeping well, feeling better for moving around more.” What she values most is that she hasn’t “had to give up anything” but has made more “conscious choices.”
Rather than feeling constrained, she explained that the app enabled her to “analyse what I’m eating a little bit,” allowing her to savour meals out with a glass of wine while still prioritising additional protein. At the core of the app lies a thoroughly personalised experience, beginning with a brief questionnaire that crafts a plan precisely suited to your objectives and daily schedule.
It smoothly incorporates practical features such as intermittent fasting monitors, straightforward exercise guides and effortless food tracking through text, voice or simply snapping a photo of your dish.
A key highlight is Avo, the app’s integrated AI mentor that delivers immediate meal suggestions, useful advice, and gentle motivation whenever required. For users like Sam, having Avo alongside her created a “massive difference” by maintaining her progress and encouraging healthier decisions without ever leaving her feeling constrained.
Sam said: “The Simple app has helped me think more carefully about what I’m eating. I’ve been a lifelong vegetarian and I really enjoy vegan food, so my diet is already fairly healthy, but the app has made me more mindful about nutrition and how to improve it. It’s particularly helped me focus on increasing my protein intake, which I’ve always found challenging. Now, most days I meet or even exceed my recommended protein levels, which is great.”
Rather than relying on strict diets and complicated rules, the Simple app focuses on small lifestyle changes that users can stick to long term. The platform helps people build healthier habits that fit around their daily lives, making it easier to lose weight and keep it off.
For those looking at other options, Noom takes a science-backed approach to weight loss, focusing on mindful eating rather than strict dieting. The app offers personalised plans and coaching tools, with subscription costs varying depending on the package selected.
Another popular choice is MyFitnessPal, which helps users track their food intake, calories and exercise in one place. The app is free to use for basic tracking, while a premium version unlocks extra features and deeper insights into eating habits.
Meanwhile, Simple also features an intermittent fasting tracker that concentrates on safe, sustainable practices rather than harsh calorie limitation. Sam describes this as a flexible and maintainable element of her routine, typically undertaking 14–16 hour fasts, sometimes extending to 18 hours and occasionally up to 20–21 hours once a week.
She explains that “going 12 hours or 14 hours without food sounded really quite not possible” but now finds it manageable and even enjoyable.
Sam also says she often doesn’t eat until later in the day, sometimes “half past three or four o’clock,” and reflects that “it feels great,” showing how fasting has become a natural and positive part of her lifestyle. Reflecting on her journey with the Simple app, Sam said: “I’ve definitely got more energy since starting with Simple, and I think movement and exercise are important, but it’s about finding what works for you. I’ve also found I’m much more consistent now, and I feel better in myself overall.”
Simple users have also voiced their opinions on Trustpilot, with one reviewer observing: “The clue is in the name. Simple. Simple but a seriously good app that doesn’t take itself too seriously. Dare I say it is good fun. Packed with features and information. Keeps me on track and mindful. Definitely recommend.”
Another added: “It really is Simple to use and provides a lot of support by giving me feedback on everything I eat, encouragement and ideas. This is educational and informs my next meals. It’s only been a few weeks and I’ve lost 10 lb.”
A third said: “It makes it easy to try to keep track of what we eat, and our fluid intake. It makes one want to stay in track with the diet.”
Not all users were entirely convinced though, with one pointing out: “The app is fairly intuitive, and it is nice to be able to ask the AI assistant when I have questions about really anything at all. The only drawbacks I’ve seen are that it was really hard for me to figure out how to edit something I had logged, as well as the Avo assistant sometimes loses track of our conversation and diverts from the mission midstream.”
Nonetheless, the majority of users have found success with the Simple app, with another reviewer declaring: “Great app. Really keeps me on track.”
