I went from size 20 to size 10 & I still eat takeaways and chocolate… I don’t believe in fat jabs – here’s how I did it

A MUM who slimmed from a size 20 to a toned size 10 has revealed how she lost an incredible five stone in just six months without weight-loss jabs, detox teas or punishing cardio sessions. Teagan Hopwood tipped the scales at 16st 4lb after gaining weight during pregnancy and continuing to overeat afterwards. Teagan Hopwood went from a size 20 to 10 without using fat jabs Credit: Jam Press/@teags.weightloss Her diet is now chicken burgers, fajita mince with butternut squash, homemade pizzas, chicken skewers with rice and veggies Credit: Jam Press/@teags.weightloss The 31-year-old says that rather than turning to quick fixes, she focused on building sustainable habits she could stick to long-term. Now she weighs 11st 9lbs and boasts a ripped stomach after eating in a controlled calorie deficit, initially consuming around 2,200 calories per day before gradually reducing that amount as she lost weight. Sign up for the Fabulous newsletter Thank you! By the time she reached her goal weight, she was eating around 1,700 calories a day while still enjoying many of her favourite foods. And it’s a loss she has been able to maintain for years – unlike weight loss jabs, which carry the risk of piling back on the pounds after stopping use. She follows the 80/20 rule, so 80 per cent of homemade food, 20 per cent takeaway and chocolate Credit: Jam Press/@teags.weightloss Teagan, pictured left in 2022 and right in 2023, has focused on building sustainable habits Credit: Jam Press/@teags.weightloss Teagan, from Canterbury, Kent, says: “I can safely say I would never have even considered using jabs. “Even though I was overweight, I knew I could lose the weight on my own. “It was staying consistent that I needed to work on. “It was never that I couldn’t lose the weight, it was that I wasn’t in the right mindset to do so – I had to be ready. Most read in Fabulous “I have nothing against people taking the jab, but I do wish people would actually try doing it themselves first, though, instead of thinking they are taking the easy route. “You have to learn how to keep the weight off. “Yes, I lost my weight quite quickly, but that was never my intention. “I wanted to lose it steadily in a sustainable way. “My body just happened to drop the weight at that time. “Maybe I was in too big a deficit for my body; however, I was still eating a lot and fuelling my body. “If you need the jab for a medical reason, then fair be it, but if you are just taking it because you don’t want to put in the work, then I don’t agree with it.” Standing at 5ft 9in, Teagan was deeply unhappy with her appearance, and one small moment during the summer of 2022 became the catalyst for a complete lifestyle overhaul. Teagan was 16st 4lb after gaining weight during pregnancy and continuing to overeat afterwards Credit: Jam Press/@teags.weightloss She is now ripped but still eats all her favourite food Credit: Jam Press/@teags.weightloss Teagan's diet before and after weight loss BEFOREBreakfast: Just a coffee Lunch: A toastie, crisps, Subway, or a high calorie salad like a CaesarDinner: Four fajitas or a takeawaySnacks: Crisps and share bags of chocolate AFTERBreakfast: Baked oats Lunch: Chicken wraps, light Babybel, and a piece of fruitDinner: Homemade chicken burgers with homemade chips or takeaway pizzasSnacks: Anything high protein and low calorie, rice cakes The barista says: “It was the first heatwave of 2022, and I couldn’t fit into the only pair of denim shorts that I owned. “I was already unhappy with my weight; this was the push that made me change for good. “I had just had enough, and this time I’d seen so many videos about calorie deficits that I actually understood what I needed to do now. “The biggest change wasn’t just physical, it was my mindset. “I stopped comparing myself to others and focused on being consistent, even when progress felt slow. “Some weeks I wouldn’t see any weight change, and some weeks there was a big weight drop. “I weigh myself daily to get my weekly average, as weight fluctuates so much during the week. “You could be weighing in a high fluctuation day when really you’ve lost 2lbs. “I prioritised protein at every meal, making smart swaps and still eating all the food I love like Pizza Hut takeaways, homemade chicken burgers, and I perfected my baked oats recipes. “I upped my activity level. I did maybe two HIIT workouts in my dining room while my daughter napped and did some weights at home. “I strength trained four times per week after I lost the weight to build muscle and change my body composition. “This is how I look so toned. “It’s the result of building muscle through progressive weight training and losing fat through a calorie deficit.” The mum-of-one began documenting her fitness journey on her TikTok account @‌teags.weightloss, where she shared home workout routines and healthy meal ideas. Teagan says she has completely transformed her relationship with food. How to lose weight safely Losing weight should be a long-term commitment to healthier living, rather than any drastic measures. The NHS tips – which can be adopted slowly – include: Get active for 150 minutes a week – you can break this up into shorter sessions Aim to get your 5 A Day – 80g of fresh, canned or frozen fruit or vegetables count as 1 portion Aim to lose 1 to 2lbs, or 0.5 to 1kg, a week Read food labels – products with more green colour coding than amber and red are often a healthier option Swap sugary drinks for water – if you do not like the taste, add slices of lemon or lime for flavour Cut down on food that’s high in sugar and fat – start by swapping sugary cereal for wholegrain alternatives Share your weight loss plan with someone you trust – they can help motivate you when you have a bad day Read about: The five fat loss foundations The calorie formula for weight loss The perfect portion sizes for meals to lose weight Sun Health’s 8-week weight loss kick start plan She says: “I’m happy, way more confident, and I can safely say I love my body. “Despite the stretch marks and saggy skin from the weight loss, I am the most confident I have ever been. “I’m more active, made new friends at the gym, and my daughter aspires to be strong like me instead of how I felt growing up wanting to be skinny. “I have more energy and a drive that I didn’t have before. “I’ve kept a healthy lifestyle since, and for me, that means balance. “Yes, I eat processed foods. “I like to go by the 80/20 rule, so 80 per cent of homemade food and 20 per cent takeaway and chocolate. “I’m still human and still want to enjoy my life.” Teagan says that large portion sizes and bags of chocolate were her downfall. She says: “I wasn’t tracking anything and would make for fajita wraps, but would have about three wraps, which adds up. “I never really used to eat breakfast, but loved bags of chocolates in the evening. “It was never much about what I was eating, just how much I was eating. “I gained the weight through pregnancy and sort of used it as an excuse to overeat since I was going to get big anyway. “Then I guess I just continued eating in that way. “Now I plan out my weekly meals on a Sunday before I do the food shop. “I have things like chicken burgers, fajita mince with butternut squash, homemade pizzas, chicken skewers with rice and veggies. “I love making egg wraps for lunch and filling them with chicken wafer, mustard and lettuce. “And I always have light Babybel and kiwi with lunch. “I enjoy a sweet treat in the evenings. I make something I like to call a movie night bowl, which is 200g 0 per cent fat Greek yoghurt mixed with chocolate protein powder, topped with mini marshmallows, pretzels, M&Ms and chocolate sauce. “It fits my calories, so why not?” Comment now