Gaining weight can be challenging for anyone, but for Hannah Mai, it wasn’t simply down to diet or lifestyle; it was the symptom of a rare and serious condition that saw her gain an astonishing 10 stone in just two and a half years. After years searching for answers, undergoing major surgery, and managing medication, Hannah finally found the key to reclaiming her health and losing the weight through a combination of focused diet and one consistent daily exercise: pilates.
Hannah’s journey began subtly around age 30. Despite always maintaining a weight of around nine stone, she suddenly started gaining rapidly, adding seven stone in mere months and eventually peaking at 20 stone 5lbs, wearing a size 26. Concerned, she repeatedly visited doctors, but her symptoms were often dismissed. She was asked about pregnancy multiple times and told her weight gain might be normal hormonal changes or due to her diet, despite her knowing something was fundamentally wrong.
Discovering the Cause: Cushing’s Disease
The turning point came in October 2020, over two years into her unexplained weight gain, when Hannah woke up with a hunched back. Researching this new symptom online alongside her rapid weight gain led her to Cushing’s disease. This rare hormonal disorder occurs due to prolonged exposure to high levels of cortisol, often caused by a pituitary tumour – the most common cause of spontaneous Cushing’s in adults. Recognising other symptoms she experienced, such as weight gain focused on the midsection and upper back (sometimes leading to a “moon face”), Hannah took a list of symptoms back to her doctor.
This time, her concerns were taken seriously. She was referred to University Hospital Coventry & Warwickshire, where an MRI scan and blood tests confirmed the diagnosis: she had Cushing’s disease caused by a pituitary tumour. Getting the diagnosis brought a mix of relief at finally knowing the cause of her struggles and fear about the condition itself.
Surgery and Recovery
Just five months after her diagnosis, in February 2021, Hannah underwent crucial brain surgery to remove the pituitary tumour. The surgery was successful, but managing the condition afterwards required her to take steroid medication for the next two years. Hannah found that losing weight while on steroids was incredibly difficult.
It wasn’t until April 2023, when she was finally taken off the steroid medication as her health improved, that she felt truly empowered to tackle the weight she had gained. Feeling much better and recognising control over “this was my body,” she became fiercely determined to shed the 10 stone.
The Weight Loss Strategy: Diet and Daily Pilates
Hannah committed herself to a rigorous two-year plan. She adopted a low-carb, high-protein diet rich in vegetables. She eliminated all sugar and, following a separate diagnosis of Celiac disease, also cut out dairy and gluten.
But a cornerstone of her incredible transformation was consistent exercise. She made a deliberate choice to incorporate pilates every single day. This gentle yet effective form of exercise helped her build strength and flexibility as she worked towards her goal.
While acknowledging the role some weight-loss medications like Ozempic play for people with medical needs, Hannah believes her success demonstrates that significant weight loss is possible through dedicated lifestyle changes and pushing yourself towards your goals.
Reclaiming Her Health and Size
The results of her disciplined approach were astounding. Over two years, Hannah successfully shed 10 stone, returning to her pre-Cushing’s weight of 10 stone 4lbs. Her dress size plummeted from a size 26 back down to a size 10, where she was before her illness.
Hannah is incredibly proud of her achievement, though she admits a lingering worry that the weight could return. Looking back at old photos of herself at her heaviest evokes sadness about the difficult period she went through but serves as a powerful reminder of how far she has come. Now feeling much happier, Hannah is also raising money for The Pituitary Foundation to help others affected by similar conditions. Her story is a testament to resilience, determination, and the power of consistent, focused effort in overcoming health challenges.
