
Gabriele lost 5 kg in the first 12 weeks with Oviva
If you ask Gabriele, 52, about her life goals, she’ll tell you about two big adventures: skydiving and crossing the finish line of a marathon with her son. But before tackling these challenges, Gabriele set herself another goal – to lose weight.
Using Oviva, she lost 5 kg in just the first 12 weeks and is continuing her journey. Read more about Gabriele’s experience with Oviva and start your own journey to your ideal weight today.
“I was preparing for a half marathon when my doctor diagnosed me with high blood pressure.”
Gabriele works as a carer for the elderly, a physically demanding job. She also exercises regularly to stay fit. Yet she noticed she was gaining weight – her uniform felt tighter, making her increasingly uncomfortable.
While preparing for a half marathon, Gabriele had a routine medical check-up, which revealed a shock: her doctor diagnosed her with high blood pressure. “It felt like a slap in the face because I was training and exercising,” she recalls. Despite her active lifestyle, her diastolic blood pressure was too high due to her weight, and her doctor prescribed blood pressure medication.
For Gabriele, this was a turning point. She realised she didn’t want to rely on medication and risk potential side effects. Instead, she wanted to address the root cause of her high blood pressure by improving her diet and losing weight.

“I wanted a sustainable approach to healthy eating that worked with my shift patterns.”
Gabriele found Oviva while searching for a way to adopt a balanced, long-term approach to healthy eating that fit her busy shift work. She needed a programme that could adapt to her irregular schedule and still deliver results. With Oviva, she was able to leave the prescribed medication behind and begin her journey, maintaining her usual level of physical activity.
“What I love about Oviva is that I can eat what I want.”
Gabriele appreciates how flexible Oviva is. There are no forbidden foods or strict rules. “The app shows you areas where you could make improvements, but you’re always in control of your choices and your pace,” she explains. She also loves the convenience of the app – since she always has her phone with her, it’s easy to use. A surprising bonus? She no longer needs to count calories.
“It was a completely new experience for me not to count calories.”
Before Oviva, Gabriele meticulously tracked the calories in her meals, writing down every detail. With Oviva, she doesn’t need to do that anymore, describing it as a completely new and liberating experience. “I don’t have to overthink everything, which simply isn’t practical in everyday life,” she says.
Instead of logging individual ingredients, Gabriele takes a quick photo of her meal and uploads it. In return, she receives tailored recommendations. The process is quick and integrates seamlessly into her daily routine. She also values the photo food diary for another reason: reviewing her meal photos often inspires her to add more fruits or vegetables next time.

“I lost 5 kg in the first 12 weeks, and my blood pressure normalised.”
Gabriele’s first 12 weeks with Oviva were incredibly successful: she lost 5 kg, and her blood pressure returned to normal without medication. At work, her uniform fits comfortably again, and she feels freer and more confident moving around.
She also completed the half marathon that had been jeopardised by her high blood pressure. Now, she’s setting her sights on even bigger goals: a skydive and running a full marathon with her son. For Gabriele, one thing is clear – Oviva will continue to support her every step of the way. And thanks to full coverage, cost isn’t a barrier.
“At first, I was worried about the cost of the programme, but everything was covered!”

Looking to achieve your health goals like Gabriele?
Oviva’s flexible weight management programme can help you lose weight sustainably and improve your overall health – without restrictions or calorie counting. The programme is designed around you, combining an easy-to-use app, personalised health plans, and expert guidance to track your progress and support lasting change.
Eligibility criteria varies based on your location in England. You’ll also need:
- A BMI of 30+ with weight-related health conditions, or
- A BMI over 50, regardless of health conditions.
And the programme is NHS funded! Start your journey today with our simple eligibility survey.