Hannah Chandler lost a massive chunk of weight in just 18 short months, but had to lie about how she did it to her friends and family for a really horrific reason
From the outside Hannah Chandler looked like a busy mum juggling family and work. But behind closed doors she was quietly fighting a battle with her weight that she thought she could never win.
At just over 17 stones (109kg) and 5ft 5in tall, the 35-year-old had tried time and again to slim down, but nothing worked. Then, in the space of 18 months, she shed an astonishing eight and a half stone (54kg). “I’ve lost 120 pounds using a GLP-1 medication which was Ozempic,” says Hannah, from San Luis Obispo, California.
“For almost a year I lied to everyone about it, but eventually I realised I wanted to become a public voice for others who were struggling like me.”
“I want people to know it’s not a shortcut and it doesn’t mean you’re lazy, it just means you’re giving your body a tool to finally work the way it’s supposed to.”
Living with her husband and their seven children, five biological and two adopted, Hannah knows all too well what it feels like to put everyone else first. “I used to work as a psych nurse and my life was about caring for others,” she says.
“I didn’t prioritise myself. My blood sugar was completely unregulated, I was starving all the time, and the food noise in my head was relentless. That’s why I couldn’t just ‘eat less and move more’ like people would tell me.”
She says the medication gave her body a sense of balance, but it was her determination to change everything else that made the difference. “Some people go on this medication and just eat less of the junk they’ve been eating for years,” she says.
“That wasn’t my life. From day one I completely overhauled my diet. I wanted the medication to be a tool, not a crutch. Now 90 per cent of what I eat is whole, real food.
“I still have treats, I still have pizza, but I just don’t eat a lot of it. Protein, vegetables, carbs, healthy fats, that’s my foundation. I don’t really do dairy, but I love chicken, salmon, turkey, ground beef, and all the fruits and vegetables I enjoy. And I move my body every day, walking, light weights, whatever feels good.”
She’s candid about her transformation not being just about the scales. “Since being on the meds I’ve not only lost weight but gained confidence, reduced inflammation, increased my energy levels, gotten sober, improved my marriage, learnt who my true friends are, and realised nothing was wrong with me,” she says.
“My transformation wasn’t just weight loss, it was everything. My mental health improved, my relationships improved, my career improved, my parenting improved. All of it.
“But it didn’t happen overnight. It took about a year to get to where I am, and I’m still growing every day. I’m not special. If I can do it, so can you.”
Hannah admits the road wasn’t easy. “If you’re not tracking your calories at least at first, you’re probably overeating,” she says.
“Being in a calorie deficit works. Period. But there are so many reasons your body might be working against you, your metabolism, your hormones, your lifestyle.
“That’s why a GLP-1 can be the missing piece for a lot of people. And if what you’re doing isn’t working, put your ego aside and use what works. I tried to lose weight on my own for years and it did not work. There’s no shame in needing help.”
She’s open about the surgical decisions she made along the way. “I had a tummy tuck with muscle repair, and at the same time I had my 11-year-old implants removed and a lift done. That’s it. After five pregnancies I had a ton of skin on my stomach that made it hard to even wear pants. Now I feel free in my body.”
On TikTok, where she has built a loyal following, she’s known for her tough-love advice. “You got yourself into this position. Only you can get yourself out of it,” she says.
“The sooner you face that hard truth, the better. That’s not to say circumstances didn’t contribute, but you’ll only lose weight once you take full responsibility.” Her feed is packed with practical tips too.
She says: “Here are three things you can do today to start your transformation: journal your feelings and actually let yourself cry if you need to, nourish your body with one healthy food, even if it’s just adding a glass of water, and go for a 10-minute walk. That’s all it takes to start.”
She also warns against common pitfalls. “I wouldn’t weigh myself every week. People don’t understand fluctuations. One week you’re down half a pound, the next you’re down three. Look at the big picture,” she says.
“And stop comparing yourself to other people – that journey isn’t yours. By the end, when you’ve lost the weight, you won’t care how long it took.”
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