Mum looks unrecognisable after ditching her 'worst' habit

A mum has undergone an incredible weight loss transformation after realising she was "neglecting" herself. Leanne Wall, 41, from Stockbridge Village, decided to set up The Weight Loss Prep Kitchen after an idea she had in a fitness class nine years ago.

Leanne told the ECHO: “I joined a slimming group. Everyone said it was hard to make healthy meals, and they were talking about how much they cost and how much food you end up wasting. I was like, I could make you meals if you want.”

Leanne began cooking and delivering meals to people in the nearby area and built up a loyal customer base including local actors, comedians and footballers. She said: “With my business, it’s £6.50 for a meal. It can work out more than that sometimes if you’re having to buy all the ingredients yourself.

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“Everyone loves salt and pepper food. We keep it homemade with pies, Scouse and soups rather than doing bland salads. I think it’s part of the reason why people stay.

“We change the menu every week which keeps it fresh. A lot of our clients have gone on to become friends. Sometimes it's not just about weight loss - it's so easy to grab fast food rather than making healthy food.”

It wasn't until two years ago that Leanne, who is a mum to Sienna, Arina and Lennon, realised despite the success of her business, she had put on weight herself due to stress. She said: “I used to open from morning through to the night and at weekends.

"I was sacrificing being a parent. My health came last. That was only two years ago when I was turning 40. I knew I had to put myself on a plan.”

In a message to her customers on the business’ Instagram page, Leanne said: “Over the years I've watched my clients shrink before my eyes whilst totally neglecting myself.

"I spent that much time thinking about food, prepping, cooking for work then juggling being a mum of three, I was picking at junk, takeaways and eating at all the wrong times. My worst downfall is eating on the move, unconsciously, consuming way too many calories per day.”

In November 2022, Leanne weighed 16 stone. She began workouts with a fitness group called Conscious Living and put herself on her own plan, cutting out unhealthy habits from her diet. Now, Leanne weighs 10 stone.

Leanne feels proud of where she is right now, but is keen to emphasise there are no quick fixes when it comes to weight loss. She said: “The changes don’t come quick. I wanted to lose weight fast but it took two years.

“You've got to be focussed. There are always people you can get advice from to help as well. I understand it’s expensive to keep eating healthy but you’ve got to keep going.”

With that in mind, Leanne ensures that children eat free at The Weight Loss Prep Kitchen. She said: “It’s important that I give back. When they finish school, I know it can be hard to keep them fed.

“Every year at Christmas I always try to give back. Last year I did a Christmas market and bought Christmas presents for 30 families. The year before that I did a Christmas bingo and bought a Christmas dinner for 50 families. We’re doing a Christmas market again this year and we're donating it to the local food bank.”

Leanne feels her weight loss has been beneficial for The Weight Loss Prep Kitchen, which now has a permanent base on East Prescot Road in Knotty Ash. This month, the business was named as the best healthy eating company in Britain for the second year running at the British Fitness Awards.

She said: “What I like about my own weight loss is that I can really relate to customers who are trying to do the same thing. It’s hard to juggle running your own business and being a mum but it’s also good to show people that it’s possible, and that you can achieve your dreams if you carry on believing in yourself.

“I didn’t think I would ever get to my own shop. Doctors, nurses, people in all professions come here. People ask me about opening more shops or delivering to other areas, but I think I’d lose that personal touch.”