Milton Keynes woman who tragically lost her mum and husband within 12 months launches new look self

A 40-year-old mum from MK who tragically lost both her mum and her husband within less than twelve months has found weight loss an unlikely solace.

Cathy Smith, a key account manager and mum-of-one, put on weight while caring for her mother, who had breast cancer.

With healthy eating at the bottom of her priority list, she survived on convenience food, takeaways and snacks and the weight gradually piled on.

Sadly, Cathy’s mother lost her battle with cancer in July 2021. Shortly afterwards, Cathy was dealt another bitter blow when her husband became ill with aggressive bowel cancer.

The devastated wife once again put her own health and wellbeing aside and cared for her husband, who died in March this year.

She said: “When you are caring for poorly loved ones, your own health is at the very bottom of your list of priorities. I didn’t give much thought to what I was eating, but would pile my plate up with large portions of high-calorie food, such as fry-ups, roast dinners and takeaways.

"Portion control wasn’t even on my radar, I was concentrating on getting us through an incredibly difficult time.”

After losing her husband, Cathy maintained her unhealthy eating habits, and it wasn’t until she was on holidaywith her daughter in July that she finally felt strong enough to recognise that something needed to change.

Looking at photos of herself reminded her that the weight gain was due to tragic circumstances, and she began to find her own body a trigger for the losses she had experienced.

Cathy signed up to the slimming meal delivery programme Jane Plan after seeing it advertised on TV adverts. The plan delivers three healthy and fuss-free meals a day.

“I knew the type of plan I wanted but wasn’t sure it existed,” said Cathy. “I found that Jane Plan fitted perfectly. It ticked all the boxes: portion control, easy meals, healthy, everything prepared for me. I didn’t have to weigh or measure food, or even think about what I would be eating that day, beyond picking meals from my delivery. I finally felt positive.”

Jane Plan also gives access to a Lose Learn Live hub, which includes psychological support and guidance from a team of nutritionists and Behaviour Change Psychologists.

Cathy lost one and a half stone over a period of two months, quickly reaching her target of 9 stone 8 lbs.

"I feel so much more confident and less sluggish than I did before,” she said.

Founder and CEO of Jane Plan, Jane Michell, said: “Caring for unwell loved ones is an incredibly difficult time, and it’s natural to put your own needs on the back burner. As Cathy has found, healthy eating can help with feelings of sluggishness and help give you the energy you need to take you through difficult times.

"We are thrilled for Cathy’s new lease on life and truly value her as a member of our supportive members’ community.”