A woman who couldn’t breathe and hated her photo being taken has revealed how she ditched cigarettes and grab-and-go snacks to shed 16st.
As Lisa Halls looked back on family photos, she struggled to find herself – as she was always hiding in the back.
The 54-year-old, from Southampton, had always battled with her weight, though she used her bubbly personality to hide how ashamed she really felt inside.
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Until it became impossible to ignore.
Her size, at 26st 11lbs, meant her asthma kept getting worse, to the point where she was unable to breathe.
And then, after her mum quit smoking following being diagnosed with cancer, Lisa knew she had to quit bad habits in the name of her health, too.
“I was like, if she can do it, so can I,” the quality returns investigator told Need To Know.
“I had tried most diets and just failed every time.
“At one point, I did get help from the doctors and was put on pills, which did work.
“I lost six stone – but, over time, I put it back on – and more.
“I used to have fat naps in the afternoon because my body was so tired all the time.
“When I stopped walking and began driving everywhere instead because I was unable to breathe, I knew something had to change.”
Lisa used to fork out £500 per month on cigarettes and grab-and-go snacks.
Both addictions were not only putting her out of pocket, but also out of time.
And so, she quit both cold turkey.
She swapped the cheap processed foods, such as frozen chips and nuggets, as well as white bread and takeaways, for high-protein and nutritious items such as lean meats and vegetables.
And, even though Lisa still enjoys crisps and chocolate each day, she says it’s all about balance.
Within six months, she had lost an impressive six stone, which gave her the confidence to join a gym, which she now goes to three times a week.
She also does 15,000 steps per day.
In total, Lisa lost 13st 5lbs in seven years.
As she had a lot of loose skin – to the tune of 12lbs – Lisa underwent a tummy tuck.
Since she has a back condition, and the skin was adding extra pressure, this was done for free on the NHS six years ago.
And, in November 2025, she underwent a breast lift, totalling £9,000.
While she felt great on the outside, old feelings struggled to shift inside.
She said: “I felt amazing, as in all my life, I have never had a flat stomach before.
“Overall, I felt really good.
“But as I looked in the mirror, I still saw myself as huge.
“I don’t see what others see.
“My confidence is building, but like anything, it takes time.
“Old patterns from childhood are still there.”
Lisa’s battle of walking without getting out of breath was no longer.
Instead, she was always on the go.
Until menopause hit, and the number on the scales kept going up with no sign of shifting.
Lisa said: “No matter what I did, I was getting heavier.
“So I decided to use weight loss jabs.
“I did the hard bit by myself.
“It helped with food noise and stopped me thinking about food 24/7.
“It also helped with inflammation in my body, so it worked in other areas, not just with losing weight.”
Lisa lost two stone using Wegovy, before switching to Mounjaro to lose a further two stone.
Now, she sits at a trim 11st 7lbs.
And while she believes the jabs should be more widely available, there are a few pieces of advice she hopes those using them keep in mind.
She added, “It should be used as a tool.
“You still need to put the effort in, because if you don’t, you will not learn anything.
“When you do come off the jabs – or pills – the weight will just go back on.
“I used to hide behind food to make myself feel happy.
“But now, I’m always on the go – and there’s no more fat naps.
“I really don’t think I would still be here if I carried on the way I was going.”
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