Kayleigh smiling

43kg Weight Loss, Reduced Sickness Absence and a Return to Exercise: Kayleigh’s Journey

Last modified by Oviva · Checked by Oviva ·

Kayleigh was referred to Oviva’s Tier 3 weight management programme a year ago, weighing 120kg and feeling the weight of far more than just the number on the scales.

Through one of the hardest years of her life, she’s lost over 43kg, gone from a size 22-24 to a size 12, and discovered something she never expected, a love of running. But more than anything, she’s found her passion and a community within her run club.

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“I made a decision: the weight had to go.”

I was referred to Oviva about a year ago. At 120kg, I knew I was excessively overweight, but if I’m honest, life kept getting in the way of doing anything meaningful about it. I’d been overweight my whole life, I was sometimes taking up to a week off work a month due to feeling sick and tired, and I was too tired to play with the kids. I’d tried so many different diets over the years. Nothing ever stuck.

Then 2025 arrived, and everything changed at once. My mum became seriously ill. In March, she was placed on end of life care. In May, I found out I had cancer myself and needed a full hysterectomy. I also received an autism diagnosis around the same time. It was an enormous amount to process. But when I came round after my surgery on the 27th of May, something shifted in me.

Kayleigh Medals

Knowing that I was being made accountable, made all the difference.

I’d started on a different weight loss medication in early 2025 before moving on to Oviva’s full programme but didn’t have the best experience. That’s why I was so enthusiastic when my doctor initially recommended me joining the Oviva programme.

I won’t pretend I found every part of the journey easy, I’m probably one of the least technical people you’ll meet, and the app was something I was a bit anxious about. But it has been super easy to use and the team I communicate with make every conversation meaningful. The app is great but what I came to realise is that the app isn’t the most important thing. The mindset shift is.

Knowing that someone was going to contact me, I knew I couldn’t just quietly give up. Someone was there, checking in, keeping me honest.

“I used to hate running. I wouldn’t even participate in PE at school. Now it’s my therapy.”

My mum passed away in August 2025. It was devastating. But at her funeral, something remarkable happened. Everyone signed up to do the Great North Run together in her memory. I put my name down too.

Forty weeks later, I cannot stop running. I joined a run club, worked up through 5Ks and 10Ks. Recently I even completed a half marathon and ran an ultra marathon in the same week. Running has given me a community, a purpose, and a way to process everything I’ve been through. The run club holds me accountable in the same way Oviva does. Everyone there has their own story. I want to become a run leader one day, to show kids what’s possible.

The transformation hasn’t just changed how I feel,  it’s changed how I function. I work as a cleaning supervisor, and before Oviva, the physical demands of the job were a real struggle. Carrying equipment, staying on my feet, keeping up with the pace of the day, it all took a toll. I was often taking sick days because my body simply couldn’t cope.

That’s not my life anymore. I’m now far more productive at work, able to get through my shift carrying equipment that would have floored me before, and I rarely take a sick day. My body feels healthier overall, and that shows up every single day on the job. My BMI is now within two points of the healthy range, and I’m beginning to titrate off Wegovy. A year ago, that felt unimaginable.

“I can breathe now. Nothing feels heavy anymore.”

I have such a healthy relationship with food these days. I don’t see things as good or bad anymore. I recognise what my body needs. I carb load when I’m training and I don’t feel guilty. That’s a freedom I’ve never had before.

My mental health was really poor before Oviva, especially after everything 2025 threw at me. But once it clicks, once you’ve worked through the modules and really educated yourself, you become a different person. I can’t recognise the old me when I look back.
I lost weight, I’m rarely taking days off work, they’ve dropped by more than half and my social life is great. But what I really found was my happiness.

“If you’re thinking about joining Oviva, you have to change your mindset and put the effort in.”

You have to change your mindset and put the effort in. There’s no shortcut. But if you do, the rewards go so far beyond the number on the scales. This programme doesn’t just change your body. It changes your whole life.

Kayleigh cooking

Take control of your health with Oviva

If you have a BMI of 35 or higher with a weight-related health condition, you may qualify for Oviva’s NHS-funded weight management programme, which includes:

  • A personalised, science-backed plan tailored to your goals
  • Remote, ongoing support from doctors, dietitians, and health coaches – all from the comfort of home
  • A simple, easy-to-use app to track meals, goals, and progress
  • Potential access to NHS-covered weight loss medication, delivered straight to your door

Eligibility criteria varies depending on your location in England.

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