Woman sees nine stone weight loss using intermittent fasting like Chris Moyles

A woman has seen a nine stone weight loss using the method I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!'s Chris Moyles has previously used – and has managed to keep it off while still enjoying a doner kebab once a week.

Laura Holder, 45, started intermittent fasting – which typically involves only eating during an eight-hour window – without realising what it was at first, when she decided to stop having late snacks.

Holder, from Sidcup, Kent, consumed 1,200 calories (below the recommended daily calorie intake of 2,000 calories for women) within a seven hour window (12-7pm), going from 18st 7lb (117kg) and a size 24, to 9st 10lb (62kg).

However, with intermittent fasting more about when you eat than what you eat, she still allowed herself to enjoy a doner kebab and chips every Friday.

Read more: What is body dysmorphia? The condition Chris Moyles has been affected by explained

DJ and TV presenter Moyles recently spoke about his weight loss journey in an episode of I'm A Celeb, crediting climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in 2009 as one of the turning points in him adopting healthier lifestyle habits.

Speaking on Ross Kemp's podcast The Kempcast in August 2020, he said, "I do intermittent fasting and I'll eat at 6.30pm or 7pm and I'll be fine. I need to do that from the weekends that I have."

While being fairly strict in the week, he said he would go out for dinner and drinks at weekends.

Speaking on Jamie Carragher's podcast The Greatest Game in November that year, he also said, "I lost weight about 10 years ago or something like that, but it's just keeping it off that's the difficult thing."

"You were saying before we started recording like 'what do we do for the rest of the day?' We get asked that a lot [as a radio presenter]. So today, I'll go home - I'm intermittent fasting at the moment Jamie. I'm doing that," he added at the time, also speaking about his use of the Peloton during lockdown.

Since October this year, there has been a 5000% increase in searches for 'Chris Moyles weight loss', as well as a 250% increase for 'intermittent fasting times' and 100% increase for 'intermittent fasting for weight loss', according to recipe delivery service, Green Chef.

Now a size eight or 10, Holder explains, "I fell into intermittent fasting because I needed to stop eating in the evening with my husband. He could indulge because he's super fit and boxes. Mentally I could never say no to food. I trained myself to stop eating in the evening and have a set time to eat."

This was before she realised what method she was trying out, which has been associated with both positives, with it thought to help factors like weight loss, digestion and allow time for old and damaged cells in the body to be replaced, and negatives, with scientists warning it isn't a 'magic bullet'.

"My friend then turned to me and said it sounds like you're intermittent fasting," Holder recalls. "I started reading up on it and I was fascinated by it."

Holder now helps other women on her Facebook group 'My One Year Glow UP' and gets a "buzz" from sharing what has worked for her personally with her weight loss.

"I won't eat until around midday and I will break my fast with some sort of carb," she adds. "For example, I will eat egg on toast or porridge or beans on toast at lunch time."

While everyone is different, as is what works for people, it's important to consider that intermittent fasting typically involves not having breakfast.

This is in contrast to the NHS' number one top way to help you lose weight – 'Do not skip breakfast'.

"Skipping breakfast will not help you lose weight. You could miss out on essential nutrients and you may end up snacking more throughout the day because you feel hungry," the website states.

Read more: 12 expert-approved weight loss tips good for your body and mind

"Later in the day, I will have stir fries or chicken salads," Holder adds. "I swap out pasta for courgette or butter nut squash spaghetti."

She would previously comfort eat and enjoy a greasy-spoon full English breakfast, followed by a chippy lunch and a kebab for dinner.

Holder associates her new found energy with her weight loss and is enjoying going out more. "I was always so scared and now I have so much confidence. It's so new to me," she says. "I'm still trying to find out what my style is because I've never been able to enjoy clothes before.

"I'm so shocked by how I look now, I look in the mirror and think 'oh my god is that me?' It's like a big Christmas present to myself whenever I look at myself in the mirror."

And, as long as she stays in her calorie limit, she can still enjoy one of her old favourite treats. "I still have a takeaway every Friday, you can fast and eat what you like – as long as it's in your calories. I have a doner kebab every Friday night because I save 50 calories a day. I've trained myself to eat until I'm full and will throw the rest away."

Read more: Woman achieves 11st weight loss and reverses her diabetes after young death warning

Watch: Dr Michael Mosley speaks on the importance of exercise in weight loss

While Holder might have found what works for her, speak to a professional before drastically changing your diet or trying out weight loss methods.

To help lose weight, the NHS also suggests eating regular meals, eating plenty of fruit and beg, getting more active, drinking plenty of water, eating high fibre foods, reading food labels, using a smaller plate, not banning foods, not stocking junk food, cutting down on alcohol, and planning your meals.