Mum-of-five lost over 8st in less than a year and has kept it off thanks to weight loss jabs
Steven Smith Content Editor
08:51, 31 Oct 2025
Ellen Ogley shares updates about recovery, workouts and the realities of maintaining her weight loss(Image: @nelle_fitandwell/Cover Images)
Ellen Ogley, a 42-year-old nursery manager from Ilkley, was taken aback when surgeons asked her to declare her weight and enquire about her will before her hysterectomy operation. The mother-of-three and stepmother-of-two, who once struggled with her self-image and health, has since undergone an incredible transformation, losing eight stone (51 kg) and boosting her confidence after years of battling emotional eating and self-doubt.
She confessed that she used to hide her unhappiness behind alcohol and excessive calories, but now she exudes the health and positivity she once only dreamed of. “My heaviest weight was 16st 12 lbs (107 kg),” she revealed.
“It was during my hysterectomy surgery that I realised something had to change. I was asked if I had a will and needed to sign a declaration about my weight and the risks of lengthy surgery, even a resuscitation form.
“As a mum, this was really scary and all I could think of was ‘what if I don’t make this?’. At that moment, I knew I couldn’t carry on like I was.”
Following her recovery from the five-hour operation and receiving the cancer all-clear, she made a commitment to become the healthiest and strongest version of herself – not only for her own wellbeing but for her three children, aged 17, 15 and 12. She embarked on her weight-loss journey in September 2023 and, through dedication and perseverance, shed three stone (19kg) via a strict diet and exercise regime.
However, when the scales plateaued, she worried about reverting to previous patterns.
“I thought, ‘Here we go again, I’m going to fail,'” she recalled. “So I did what many do, I booked a tummy tuck, thinking it would help bring the number on the scales down. But it didn’t. I was still obese on the BMI scale, which devastated me.”
That’s when Mounjaro entered the picture – the weekly weight-loss injection that has captured global attention. “I started Mounjaro in June after ordering it in May,” she explained.
“At that point, I’d already lost three stone but was completely stuck. I’d been super restrictive to this point and just couldn’t shift any more. I was sceptical about the medication, but I thought I had nothing to lose.”
Ellen Ogley once hated herself(Image: @nelle_fitandwell/Cover Images)
The initial weeks presented challenges. “I had headaches and an upset stomach at first, but I quickly realised that was because I wasn’t eating enough. Once I started fuelling properly, the side effects eased massively,” she said.
Throughout 22 weeks, including a six-week tapering period, Ellen dropped another three stone. Yet for her, the most significant transformation wasn’t physical – it was psychological.
She explained: “Mounjaro was a real light-bulb moment. I’d struggled with binge eating, especially emotional bingeing. I’d eat when I wasn’t even hungry, if I was happy, sad or stressed, it didn’t matter. The jab switched off that constant food noise and helped me stop those impulsive habits and urges. It gave me the space to learn new, healthy behaviours that I’ve kept on with, even almost a year since coming off it!”.
She continued: “It’s been almost 12 months since my last dose and haven’t gained a single pound back. In fact, I’ve even managed to lose another stone and a half on my own with the great habits I’ve learnt. It’s shown me that long-term success really does come from lifestyle changes, not dependency. I’m proof that if I can do it, anyone can.”
Beyond her weight loss journey, Ellen has also had several cosmetic procedures to complete her transformation – including a tummy tuck, face and neck lift, and upper blepharoplasty (eyelid lift), all carried out by AM Aesthetic Surgery in the UK. “My tummy tuck was the first one,” she revealed.
“I definitely had it for the wrong reason, because I was convinced it would make me skinny. It didn’t, but it did remove the loose skin that made me feel uncomfortable.
“I wish I’d waited, though, because now I’ve lost another four-and-a-half stone and have some excess skin again. I’ve thought about a revision, but it would mean a full tummy tuck with a vertical scar, which I don’t want.”
Nevertheless, she described the procedure as “one of the best decisions” she’d ever made. “You don’t realise how much you use your abdominal muscles for everything, coughing, sneezing, even laughing, until you can’t,” Ellen said. “The recovery was tough, but it was worth every second.”
Ellen Ogley two years ago and now(Image: @nelle_fitandwell/Cover Images)
Her facial and neck lift, coupled with an upper blepharoplasty, followed just seven weeks ago. “I’m still healing, but I’m already thrilled,” she said.
“The crepey neck, the jowls? Gone. I feel fresh and confident again. My scars are tiny and barely visible, and my upper blepharoplasty has completely transformed my eyes. I feel like me again, just a more polished version.”
Ellen’s candid approach to discussing her surgical procedures and Mounjaro experience has established her as an inspirational figure online, where she provides transparent updates about recovery, fitness routines and the day-to-day realities of sustaining her weight loss. What began as an anonymous profile, which Ellen created under the pseudonym “Nelle” to avoid recognition, has now emerged from the shadows, with her proudly chronicling her transformation to thousands of followers across TikTok and Instagram.
Her blend of wit, authenticity and encouragement has resonated deeply with middle-aged women, demonstrating that radical change is achievable regardless of age. “Once, I hated exercise,” she said.
“I used to dread it, sweaty, painful, awful. Now I love it so much that rest days make me feel lost! I now train four to five times a week, a mix of weights, cardio and core work, and I easily hit 10,000 steps a day, sometimes 15,000 on rest days. Exercise is everything for me now, not just for my body, but for my mind.”
Her relationship with food has transformed entirely: “I used to be carb-heavy and drink too much alcohol. Now I’m mindful, lots of fruit, yoghurt, granola, frozen mango, the occasional treat like a biscuit or takeaway, but always moderation. I feel fully in control now.”
Outside the gym, Ellen has found renewed pleasure in fashion, travel and embracing a healthier lifestyle. “I’m actually in love with clothes,” she said.
“I used to dread shopping, it was always about finding what would cover my problem areas but now I love trying on outfits and feeling confident in my skin. My new dress size label still shocks me even now! I love travelling, meeting new people and saying yes to life again.”
Ellen Ogley went from booze and bingeing to 7st 8lbs lighter(Image: @nelle_fitandwell/Cover Images)
Reflecting on her journey, Ellen said she hardly recognises her former self: “I’d tell her, ‘That magic fix you’re looking for doesn’t exist. You’re going to have to work hard and make those uncomfortable changes. You’ll hate it at first, but one day you’ll love it, even become a bit obsessed. But your body and confidence will thank you for it. Now get moving!'” Eleven months into her weight loss journey, Ellen is keen to inspire others. “I want people to know you don’t need to stay on Mounjaro forever,” she said.
“It can be done, with small, important changes which you’ll later thank yourself for. I’d love to keep coaching others, maybe start a podcast and interview people who’ve had similar journeys. I think we can all learn from one another.”
Nowadays, Ellen’s life has taken a complete turn, becoming fitter, healthier and brimming with energy she once thought was lost. “I’m grateful every day,” she expressed.
“I got my health back, and with it, my happiness. I’ve learned to love movement, to enjoy food without guilt and to finally be proud of the woman in the mirror.”
To follow Ellen’s fitness journey, visit her YouTube channel, where she shares her workout sessions and training routines designed to help others feel stronger, fitter and more confident at any age.
