‘Greedy’ mom loses 126 pounds in 13 months with controversial diet

UK mom Verity Bambury said she lost 126 pounds in 13 months. She followed the very low-calorie, controversial Cambridge diet, also known as the 1:1 diet.

After a challenging Christmas in 2020, UK mom Verity Bambury decided to prioritize her health for future holidays and transform her lifestyle.

“With my sweet tooth, I couldn’t resist indulging during the yuletide season. Surrounded by temptations, I went all out,” Bambury, 49, shared.

At her heaviest, Bambury weighed 299 pounds. She's 5 feet, 5 inches tall.

She successfully shed 126 pounds in just 13 months using the very low-calorie Cambridge diet, also known as the 1:1 diet. Bambury swapped large portions for three replacement meals or snack bars and one low-calorie, high-protein meal daily.

Her weight loss journey not only improved her health but also opened up new opportunities, such as her current job assessing offshore oil rigs in the Irish Sea, made possible by her ability to travel via helicopters.

“There is no way that I could have done any of this [at 126 pounds heavier],” she emphasized.

She said she lost 11 pounds in her first week on the Cambridge diet and 28 pounds in the first month. The extreme eating plan — developed in the 1960s — relies on the consumption of calorie-controlled products like shakes and soups.

Bambury, a mother from Liverpool, has long struggled with her weight, particularly during Christmas, when the festivities brought a lot of tempting treats like Baileys, After Eights, mince pies, and more.

Determined to make a change, Bambury committed to her weight loss journey in January 2021, motivated by a desire to improve her health and lifestyle.

"I had tried dieting countless times. This time, though, I was determined to stick to it," Bambury shared

“At my heaviest, I weighed 299 pounds. I'm 5 feet, 5 inches tall,” she revealed, highlighting the significant transformation she underwent.

Although the Cambridge diet has drawn criticism for its extreme calorie restrictions and potential risks, Bambury found success with its rapid weight loss approach.

More than two years later, Bambury has kept the pounds off. She now weighs around 175.

By December 2021, she had adopted a balanced approach to holiday indulgences, allowing herself small treats in moderation instead of overindulging.

Maintaining her weight loss, Bambury now enjoys creating Christmas memories with her son, Jarvis, and engaging in festive activities like shopping for outfits and going for walks.

The Liverpool mom, who has a son, says she's always struggled with her weight — Christmas was especially tough.

With her newfound confidence and lifestyle, Bambury has become a 1:1 diet consultant under her brand one2oneVerity, aiming to inspire others facing weight struggles with her journey and success story.