More Than Medication: How Understanding Her Mind Helped Jackie Change Her Body
Jackie, from Dorset has made a truly remarkable transformation on her weight loss journey. With the support of Oviva’s Tier 3 weight management programme and the right combination of medication, prescriber support, and psychological care, she’s lost nearly 5 stone, dropping from 14st 7lb to 9st 8lb, and she’s feeling better than ever. Read what Jackie has said about her experience below.
How It All Started
Being confident and sociable meant no-one really knew I struggled with how I felt about my body. I didn’t have anyone to talk to. My psychologist at Oviva changed all of that. I felt heard and understood.
The typical community programme doesn’t work for everyone. Having someone to talk to who really heard me made all the difference.
For years I felt like I’d tried all the programmes. My weight would drop and then creep back up again, and I never found anything that stuck. I came across Oviva on Facebook. My GP hadn’t heard of Oviva before, but they were happy to look into it, and by February I’d started on medication.
Taking that first step
Deciding to try again after so many failed attempts wasn’t easy. I’d been on a local weight management programme before that hadn’t worked for me, and I wasn’t sure this would be any different. When I first joined Oviva, I felt supported by the team. I was impressed by the level of support I was offered. I didn’t expect to have a conversation with a psychologist who really went into depth about psychology and body image.
I don’t think I even realised how much psychology contributes to trying to lose weight.
What really made a difference for me was a call I had early on with a psychologist.”
What’s made the real difference for me has been the whole programme, not just the medication. Speaking with the prescribers and health coaches has been brilliant. They’ve given me so many hints and tips along the way, and I’ve learned so much about portion sizes, things I honestly didn’t understand properly before.
But that initial conversation with a psychologist has stayed with me throughout my journey. We talked about how I felt about my weight, not just how I looked, but how it affected me underneath. I’m a very sociable person to the outside world. My social calendar is always booked. But I used to dread seeing photos of myself next to my friends. Having someone take the time to understand that side of things, rather than just focusing on the number on the scales, meant a lot.
I started at 92kg. I’m now 61kg
I’m about eighteen months into my Oviva journey. Honestly, I feel amazing.
The changes haven’t just been about weight either. I used to have steroid injections in my knees, and I haven’t needed a single one since. My confidence has changed too. I feel so much better in my body, and I get compliments from people who’ve noticed the difference.
For me, the biggest joy has been getting back to the things I love doing. I’ve done Morris dancing for about 40 years, and as I put on weight over time, I found myself slowing down. Now that I’m lighter, I can join in properly again. I can walk and dance without my knees hurting, which is something I wasn’t sure I’d get back.
I also volunteer at my local museum, on my feet for hours at a time, and I can manage so much more of that now too.
I’m living proof that it works
I know a lot of people are unsure about starting, and I understand that, I was too at first. But the support I’ve had has been amazing, from the practical food advice and alternatives, to the psychologists genuinely caring about my mental wellbeing, not just the physical side.
If you’ve tried the typical community programmes and they haven’t worked for you, that doesn’t mean nothing will.
That initial call with the psychologist really helped me understand my relationship with my weight in a way I hadn’t before.
Ready to start your weight loss journey?
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.
