One woman’s incredible transformation went viral on TikTok and has been viewed nearly 300,000 times.
Millie Slater told Newsweek how she managed to lose weight from 250 pounds to 150 pounds in just 12 months. She says consistency was the key to her success.
The 20-year-old marketing executive from Northamptonshire, England, revealed she achieved her goal by doing strength training six times a week, logging as many steps as possible and doing incline walks on the treadmill. She also tracked her calories, focusing on getting enough protein and maintaining a calorie deficit.
Millie Slater
The July 1 video (@millieangel_lifts) sees her slowly gyrating to show off her size 18 frame. The clip then jumps to more recent footage, which sees Slater in a size 4 boob tube top and skirt as she shows off her muscles. Text superimposed over the clips reads: “12 months of consistency?”
Before she started her weight loss journey, Slater struggled with the pounds and tried many fad diets without success. She and her partner decided to make a change after years of snacking and fast food.
Slater said Newsweek: “I never really knew much about calories, but I’d be shocked if I knew how many I was consuming every day.”
In January 2023, Slater joined a gym and started tracking her calories. This allowed her to continue eating things she likes, like chocolate, as long as it didn’t exceed her 1,500-calorie intake. However, the first video in the viral clip was recorded in June, and the latest version was exactly 12 months later.
“I started doing incline walking on the treadmill and then lifting weights, which made the gym less boring,” Slater said. “My training has really varied over the last year and a half, but I’ve kept doing incline walking because I’ve never been a runner.”
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Millie Slater
Slater encourages others to find a form of exercise they enjoy and to take photos of their progress to stay motivated.
I share some advice with Newsweek Slater said via email, “I would say finding a form of exercise that you enjoy is so important. I used to think I couldn’t run, so I had no chance. But just walking more and being more active is all you need.
“I always thought I would get muscular from lifting weights, but that’s not the case at all,” she adds.
“I’m glad I feel so strong, and it’s given me so much more confidence!”
TikTok responds
Her transformation has inspired many on TikTok, where her results have gone viral. Slater’s story is a testament to the power of consistency and determination in achieving one’s goals.
“I never thought I could lose weight, especially not this much. So I have to remind myself regularly how far I’ve come and remind myself to be proud,” Slater said.
At the time of writing, the popular video has garnered over 35,000 comments.
“PLEASE TELL me how you skimmed your arms? I’ve had similar things as you in the past and that’s my biggest insecurity. You look amazing,” one user wrote.
“This is AMAZING,” another posted, with a third commenter agreeing. “Your arms were already muscular, just bigger, that’s why they look so amazing! This might be my favorite transformation!”
Why consistency is important
In 2017, researchers from the Department of Psychology and Brain Sciences at Drexel University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, conducted a study to understand the impact of weight variation during the initial phase of a weight loss program on long-term outcomes.
The results showed that people whose weight fluctuated more during the first few weeks of the weight-loss program lost less weight in the long run. This could be because inconsistent weight changes can indicate inconsistent habits and behaviors. Therefore, tracking pound fluctuations early on could help improve long-term weight-loss results.
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Personal trainer Alasdair Nicoll, who works at The Fitness Group in the UK, said Newsweek: “Consistency is the key to losing weight, because it’s simply not something you can knock off in a few weeks. It requires a long-term commitment, because if you stick to a regular calorie deficit, your body will gradually start using stored fat for energy and thus your weight will drop.
“Plus, regular exercise helps you build muscle, which increases your resting metabolic rate and helps you burn more calories. It’s also about developing healthy habits and changing your mindset from seeing it as a temporary diet to a long-term lifestyle change. Losing weight slowly and steadily is more effective at preserving muscle and preventing your metabolism from slowing down, which makes future weight loss harder.”
Nicoll said everyone’s weight loss journey is unique, influenced by genetics, age and fitness level. Setting realistic goals helps maintain motivation and focus on long-term health. Tracking calories is helpful because it increases awareness, control and accountability, which helps with planning a balanced diet. Combined with consistent exercise and daily walking, this approach provides a strong foundation for effective weight loss.
Of Slater’s journey, Nicoll said: “Physically, she will not only lose weight, but also build muscle strength and endurance, improve her cardiovascular health and boost her metabolism. Mentally and emotionally, this commitment to regular exercise can reduce stress, improve her mood through the release of endorphins, enhance her cognitive function and improve sleep quality.”
Do you have a health issue that concerns you? Let us know at [email protected]. We can ask experts for advice and your story can be featured on Newsweek.
Unusual knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
