Losing Weight Was the Result. Changing My Mindset Came First.

Nicholas Forde spent years believing the gym alone would be enough. This is how changing his mindset and adapting his diet helped everything else fall into place.

For a long time, I went to the gym, hoping that would be enough.

I’ve always been into fitness, at least on paper. I’d show up, do the work, and assume things would eventually fall into place. However, I never really reached the point where I felt good about myself. Part of that was simple: I love food. I’m a massive foodie. I come from a Mediterranean background, so food is everywhere — tapas, carbs, big meals, constant grazing.

On top of that, I had a serious sweet tooth. And that, if I’m being honest, was what held me back.

The cycle I couldn’t break

For years, my eating followed the same pattern. I’d miss meals during the day, then get home and completely pig out in the evening. Sometimes I’d go the other way and fast for two or three days, convincing myself that meant I’d “earned” eating badly later.

There was always a reason.

If I’d had something sugary at lunch, I’d write the day off. If I’d eaten badly once, I’d decide I might as well keep going. Sugar wasn’t just a treat — it was a habit. Probably closer to an addiction, if I’m being honest.

I’d tried everything on the market to lose weight. Nothing stuck. So I stopped expecting anything to work.

The moment I actually paid attention

The real turning point wasn’t dramatic — but it was uncomfortable.

I was standing outside my kids’ school, waiting to pick them up, and I caught my reflection. I remember thinking, That doesn’t look like me. I was overweight, disconnected from my body, and I realised I hadn’t really cared for a long time.

On the way to the gym that day, I picked up a Huel Ready-to-drink. No big plan. No expectations. I drank it, thought it tasted good, and later, while sitting at the gym, I actually read the label. I remember thinking, This has got some good stuff in it.

I decided I’d have another one the next day and see how I felt.

That was two years ago. I’ve had one every day since.

Why this time was different

I didn’t think Huel would do anything for me. I honestly thought it was just another protein shake.

I was wrong.

What changed wasn’t overnight weight loss. It was the way it dealt with my sweet cravings. Having a Huel during the day meant I wasn’t constantly thinking about sugar. I’d get home and not immediately want sweets, chocolate, or anything sugary.

That alone was massive.

Instead of skipping meals and then overeating, I was eating more regularly. Instead of punishing myself, I felt set up. Once I’d had a Huel, my mindset shifted. I’d think, I’ve started the day well — I’m not going to ruin it now.

It became a catalyst.

Consistency beats extremes

Before, I was always swinging between extremes — fasting, overeating, starting again. With Huel, things became boring in the best way. Consistent.

I stuck with the gym. I stuck with Huel. I ate healthy meals in between. That was it.

No tricks. No detoxes. Just consistency.

I started at 16 stone 7 (231 lb). I’m now 11 stone 4 (158 lb).

That drop came purely from being consistent — consistent with Huel, consistent with the gym, and consistent with eating properly around it.

Making it part of my life

For me, Ready-to-drink was key. Convenience matters. I drive past a shop that sells them every day, and when I get deliveries, I have a dedicated cupboard at home that I load up. It became routine, not a decision I had to keep making.

Banana and chocolate are my go-tos. That’s basically all I drink.

One of the biggest things for me was protein. I’d never been able to walk into a shop and know exactly how much protein I was getting across a day. With Huel, it’s just there. One bottle, done. That consistency helped with gym gains as well — something I’d never really managed to dial in before.

And when I didn’t have one? I noticed it straight away. Cravings crept back. The old “write the day off” mindset tried to sneak in.

That contrast told me everything I needed to know.

The weight loss wasn’t the main win

I’ve got photos from before. I look swollen. I look uncomfortable. I don’t recognise that version of myself.

But the biggest change wasn’t the weight itself — it was how I think.

Huel didn’t magically fix everything. What it did was give me the mindset to want to be better. My body changed as a byproduct of that.

It made me more aware of what I was eating. More educated. More intentional. Once that clicked, everything else followed — the gym, better meals, better choices at night.

I didn’t feel like I was constantly starting over anymore.

When people ask me about it

My friends and family are probably sick of hearing about it. I’ve converted a few of them. Some were already drinking it without me even knowing.

I work around gyms, influencers, and content creation a lot. When people ask what to grab for lunch, I’m standing there with a Huel in my hand. I don’t force it — I just live it.

Because I was passionate about it long before I ever spoke to anyone at Huel.

What I tell people now

I’m always careful to say this: what worked for me might not work exactly the same for you.

But for me, Huel was the thing that stopped the spiral. It gave me structure. It removed excuses. It helped me build momentum.

The mindset came first. The weight loss followed.

And once that clicked, everything changed.