A father-of-two from Greater Manchester has 'completely transformed his life' by implementing a series of minor adjustments to his daily habits, achieving a remarkable weight loss of nearly four stone within just nine months. Mark Brockbank, recognised he needed to take action when he received an invitation to a close friend's wedding and worried he wouldn't be able to squeeze into a seat on the plane.
Instead of launching into a restrictive eating plan or concentrating purely on calorie counting, the 52 year old who works in IT, opted instead for the Simple app. The AI coaching application for adults steered him through a sequence of small, gradual lifestyle changes that made a big difference to his health and his confidence.
Starting from 2024, this approach helped him lose nearly four stone (23.5kg) over approximately nine months, making a 'massive difference to (his) life' and he has since flown multiple times. Speaking about what inspired him to begin using Simple, which currently has 60% off with the code REACH60, he explained: "What motivated me to start using the Simple app was a general need to improve my health, which included reducing my weight.
"Good friends had just started to pull me on one side for a chat and, rightly so, and I've thanked almost every one of them since."
He continued: "And one of the things that particularly motivated me was, one very good friend invited me to their wedding, which is overseas next year (in 2025). And at the time, I hadn't flown for a long time, probably around about 10, 12, maybe even 14 years," reports the Mirror. "I'd just assumed in recent years that I was too big, I wouldn't fit in a plane seat, and therefore I didn't bother with overseas holidays. I was constantly holidaying in England and the UK in general. But I thought, no, this is something that I can have a go at."
He described how he now incorporates more wholesome foods into his diet, whilst still indulging in 'treats' like burgers; his fitness has improved dramatically and he no longer gets 'breathless' when ascending stairs; he has resumed playing cricket and adores swimming; and his clothing options have broadened considerably.
He said: "(My) increased mobility has got me out more, walking more, moving more. It's expanded my wardrobe too -- I've got more choice in trousers and clothes, and I just feel less self-conscious about what I wear."
On a lighter note, he also admitted to a slightly 'daft' perk, admitting that he can now easily navigate through the turnstiles at football matches. He added: "Now, the kind of level of football I watch, the turnstiles range from waist-level ones to full height ones. I'm proud to say that I've got through every one of them this season, so that's another little goal."
Mark attributes his successful weight loss to the dietary advice and information provided by the Simple app. He explained that by losing weight at a steady rate, he has managed to stick to his goals without feeling restricted.
He's had access to personalised daily workouts, scientifically-backed coaching, nutrition analysis and an AI coach named Avo - something he refers to as his 'extra mate', providing him with motivation, constructive feedback and valuable insights.
With over 17 million downloads and roughly six million users per month visiting its web channels, the journey for Simple subscribers begins with a questionnaire covering fitness goals, preferences, previous weight loss attempts and other relevant factors. The app provides a variety of tools, including easy-to-use food logging and exercise guidance.
Its NutriScanner feature is designed to help users understand the nutritional content of their meals, whether they're eating at home or out. Moreover, Avo serves as its AI-powered in-app coach and personal wellness companion, which Mark is particularly fond of.
Simple is in good company with other apps such as Noom, a weight loss platform that encourages mindful eating over rigid diets, and MyFitnessPal, a calorie tracker and BMI calculator designed to help individuals reach their goals and monitor their nutritional intake, with some sections available for free on the app. Mark specifically praised Simple for its user-friendly interface and making his goals 'achievable'.
While he's still committed to losing more weight, aiming to shed eight or nine stone in total, he's 'roughly halfway' through his journey and feels a 'tremendous' sense of achievement regarding his progress so far. He also spoke about how his weight loss has transformed his family's life.
He said: "Thanks, Simple, you've probably made a massive difference to my life and my family's life. It might sound a bit emotional, but I've got a 19 year old son, I've got a 14 year old son, and there was a time maybe a year or so ago when maybe I didn't realise that I probably wasn't going to see enough of their life that I want to, and now I feel I'm on the right track seeing a lot of their life."
Reviews for the Simple app on Trustpilot continue to be positive, maintaining an impressive average of 4.3 out of five stars across more than 33,000 user evaluations.
One person wrote: "I love the Simple Life App! It's incredibly motivating and helps me stay on track with my new healthy habits. I can easily log what I eat, drink, and do throughout the day, which keeps me mindful and honest with myself."
Another reviewer said: "Great website so helpful, love the check-in each morning and giving encouragement right throughout the day. Never found it easier to lose weight."
A third individual observed: "Really helps keep you motivated to meet goals!".
One user expressed their views, saying: "I am enjoying the experience of being promoted when to do certain things. I am still learning about the program and how it works. Timing seems a little off but I deal with it."
Meanwhile, someone else added: "I know it's been a month since I started on the app, but I'm still uncertain about some things. But it's been amazing experience and so thoughtful! I've enjoyed every minute of it! Thank you so much."
This is not medical advice. This is a personal experience and results may vary. Please consult your healthcare professional for any medical conditions.