A young woman who felt deeply uncomfortable at 12 stone has revealed how she shed an impressive 40 pounds without ever stepping foot in a gym, following a restrictive diet, or undergoing surgery. Leaha Ureel, now 26, embarked on her transformative journey three years ago, employing what she describes as psychological "mind tricks" to fundamentally alter her relationship with food, movement, and her own identity.
The Power of Psychological Reframing
Leaha openly admits she "gaslit" herself into becoming a thinner person, a term she acknowledges is intentionally provocative. "I just pretended I was already skinny," she explains. This was not mere wishful thinking but a deliberate strategy grounded in research. She immersed herself in studies by obesity experts, analysing the subconscious behaviours that differentiate lean individuals from those struggling with weight.
Mimicking the Habits of Naturally Thin People
Her research led her to a pivotal academic finding: lean people tend to fidget for an extra two hours per day compared to their obese counterparts. Leaha decided to incorporate this non-exercise activity thermogenesis (NEAT) into her own life. She began mimicking the subtle movements of thin people—twitching, fidgeting, standing more, and even walking around while talking on the phone.
"To a full-blown caffeine addiction that keeps you moving and visiting the loo," she adds with a smile. By consciously adopting these behaviours, Leaha calculated she was burning an extra 350 calories daily without formal exercise. This behavioural shift sparked the initial weight loss, which in turn created a powerful positive feedback loop of improved energy and heightened motivation.
Transforming Identity Through Daily Habits
Leaha's approach extended far beyond fidgeting. She undertook a complete identity overhaul, consciously adopting patterns she observed in naturally thinner people. These included prioritising protein and fibre over junk food, consuming smaller portions without obsessive restriction, and reducing the emotional intensity she previously associated with eating.
Perhaps most strikingly, she transformed her personality from a self-described "messy girl" into a "clean freak." Housework became her secret fitness weapon. "I started cleaning for a couple of hours every morning and I consistently cleaned throughout the day," she says. "I convinced myself that I am a clean freak after years of being a messy girl. It really is fake it until you make it."
She turned cleaning into a strategic, enjoyable habit by listening to audiobooks, framing it as a skill to be mastered rather than a mundane chore. This not only increased her daily movement but also helped her regain executive function and build much-needed structure into her life.
Sustainable Changes and a New Mindset
Critically, Leaha's method rejected punishment and denial. "The point wasn't punishment or denial, it was consistency and sustainability," she emphasises. Cooking became a creative outlet where she experimented to keep meals fun, healthy, and high in protein. She also reassessed her sedentary habits, swapping endless scrolling in bed for intentional rest and proactive task management.
Simple lifestyle tweaks became second nature: parking further from stores, walking miles to local coffee shops, and running outside with her dogs. Within 18 months, the weight steadily fell off—totalling 40lbs, or nearly three stone.
The Profound Impact Beyond the Scale
The physical transformation was just the beginning. "I noticed my energy was unlike anything I'd experienced before," Leaha recalls. "Before I knew it, I was always vibing, happy with myself." This newfound vitality was accompanied by a deeper bodily awareness and a different kind of confidence. Shopping became enjoyable as clothes fit well, freeing her from previously limited style choices.
With the weight loss achieved, Leaha then introduced strength training and calisthenics, shifting her focus to strength, function, and sustainable energy rather than mere numbers on a scale. "I didn't realise how unwell and disconnected I was until I started to lose the weight," she reflects. "Being shorter, extra weight affected me quickly in day-to-day life—in my energy, mobility and posture. I feel better now, happier, healthier and much more energised than ever before."
Her journey has not been without its social complexities; she notes receiving increased attention, both positive and negative, from friends and strangers alike, requiring her to navigate newfound insecurities. Nevertheless, now maintaining a healthy BMI, Leaha Ureel stands as a testament to the profound power of psychological strategy and habitual consistency in achieving lasting health transformation.
