Losing weight isn’t just about fitting into a smaller dress size. For some, it’s a decision that comes from deep within — from grief, from fear, from a desire to break family patterns. For Tracey Woodward, the decision to transform her health came in the year following the death of her mother. This was not just a physical journey, but an emotional and mental one. The story of Tracey Woodward’s weight loss is one of resilience, radical self-care, and complete life transformation.
At 48, Tracey was at a breaking point. She had just lost her mother at the age of 65, making her the first woman in Tracey’s family to live past 50. But even she was taken too soon, like the generations before her. Tracey, weighing 97 kilograms at the time — though she had come down from 110 kg — had recently been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. She had also gone through early menopause at 35 and was juggling the enormous weight of running a global business, managing a family, and silently coping with unresolved trauma from a difficult childhood.
She looked in the mirror and didn’t recognize herself anymore. That’s when she knew it was time to change.
A Painful Past and a Stressful Present
Tracey’s early life was marked by instability. Born prematurely when her mother was just 18, she faced hardship early on. After being thrown out of her grandparents’ home at age four, she spent the rest of her childhood bouncing from squats to rough estates and unstable housing. She raised her younger brother from the age of nine and didn’t learn to read or write until she was nearly 15.
Her first job at 14 was in a chemist shop. From there, she climbed the ladder, eventually working with beauty brands like Clinique, Aveda, and Aromatherapy Associates. Despite a three-decade career in wellness and beauty, she was quietly neglecting her own health.
Her fear of failure, long hours, emotional eating, and personal stress led her to develop unhealthy habits. She found comfort in food — not sweets, but snacks like crisps, cheese, Twiglets, and fizzy drinks. Her then-husband, a professional chef, didn’t help matters either. The weight, the blood pressure, the thinning hair, and the sleepless nights became symptoms of a life out of balance.
The Turning Point: A Decision to Change
Two years after her mother’s passing, Tracey decided to break the cycle. She had already begun working with a nutritionist and was exercising more regularly. But something inside her knew that she needed a more powerful reset — something to shock her system into a new way of living.
So she booked herself into a fasting clinic in the German Alps. For almost two weeks, she ate nothing.
The idea might seem extreme, but for Tracey, it was the beginning of a new life. The clinic, Buchinger Wilhelmi, is renowned for medically supervised therapeutic fasting. The goal isn’t just weight loss — it’s detoxification, cell regeneration, and mental clarity.
The Power of Fasting: Mind, Body, and Spirit
The first three days at the clinic were the hardest. Her body screamed for food. But she kept moving — walking on the treadmill, attending yoga sessions, going on hikes, and participating in guided meditations.
By day four, something shifted. Her body stopped craving. Her mind cleared. She felt content. This, Tracey later learned, was autophagy — the process by which the body recycles old, damaged cells. Triggered by fasting, it boosts immunity, reduces inflammation, and activates fat burning.
Each day, she was given simple nourishment — herbal tea with apple skin, hot water with lemon, a spoonful of honey. In the evenings, she’d have a light soup while listening to a harpist or attending a health talk. It wasn’t deprivation. It was healing.
She returned home feeling proud, grounded, and lighter — in every sense.
A New Routine for a New Life
Since that first fasting retreat, Tracey has returned to the clinic every year for a decade. But she doesn’t rely on expensive retreats to stay on track. Once a month, she practices a home fast: just hot water and lemon for a day, followed by smoothies and broths the next.
She also made long-term changes:
- Stopped eating ultra-processed foods
- Avoids sugary treats and snacks
- Swapped comfort eating for mindful nutrition
- Lifts weights two to three times a week
- Takes a walk every evening after dinner
- Doesn’t go to bed on a full stomach
She now weighs around 69 kilograms, down from her peak of 110 kg. She wears a size 12 instead of a 20. More importantly, her diabetes is in remission. Her skin glows, her energy has returned, and she looks and feels younger than she did at 40.
Overcoming Cancer and Staying Strong
Tracey’s story took another unexpected turn when she was diagnosed with womb cancer at age 58. But because of her lifestyle changes, the cancer was caught early. It hadn’t spread. She firmly believes her healthier body helped contain the disease and gave her the strength to recover.
Today, she is cancer free. She’s still working, still walking, and still living a life that prioritizes health and healing. Her children, Ava and Josh, now adults, have seen firsthand how determination and self-care can change everything.
A New Kind of Success
Tracey’s life no longer revolves around food, stress, or the fear of early death. She no longer attends food-fueled holidays or lavish dinners. Instead, she plans her time around health retreats, long walks, meditation, and quality time with loved ones.
She has become the health role model she never had. Her journey is proof that it’s never too late to take control. And it doesn’t require perfection — just consistency, honesty, and a willingness to start over.
Tracey Woodward’s Transformation at a Glance
| Timeline | Milestone Achieved |
|---|---|
| Age 35 | Early menopause diagnosed |
| Age 48 | Weight at 97 kg, type 2 diabetes diagnosed |
| Age 50 | First fasting retreat in Germany |
| 10 years later | 69 kg, size 12, diabetes in remission |
| Present | Cancer-free, mentally and physically strong |
Tracey’s Top Tips for Lasting Weight Loss
If you’re feeling inspired by Tracey Woodward’s weight loss journey, here are some of her personal strategies that may help you start your own:
- Start with small changes: Begin by cutting processed foods and sugary drinks.
- Don’t fear fasting: Whether it’s intermittent or periodic, fasting can reset your system.
- Be consistent, not perfect: Small daily habits matter more than occasional big efforts.
- Move often: Even short walks after meals can help regulate blood sugar and digestion.
- Listen to your body: Pay attention to hunger, energy levels, and emotional triggers.
- Make mental health a priority: Therapy, meditation, or self-reflection can aid transformation.
FAQs About Tracey Woodward’s Weight Loss
How much weight did Tracey Woodward lose?
Tracey lost over 40 kilograms, going from around 110 kg to 69 kg over a 10-year period.
Did Tracey follow a specific diet?
She focused on clean, whole foods and practiced periodic fasting. Her diet avoids ultra-processed foods, added sugars, and late-night eating.
What is autophagy and why is it important?
Autophagy is the body’s natural process of cleaning out damaged cells and regenerating new ones. It is boosted during fasting and helps prevent disease and promote longevity.
How often does Tracey fast?
She attends a 10-day fasting retreat once a year and conducts her own 1-day fast at home each month.
Did fasting cure her diabetes?
While fasting did not “cure” her diabetes, it helped her lose weight and improve her metabolic health, leading to diabetes remission.
Final Thoughts
Tracey Woodward’s weight loss journey is about much more than numbers on a scale. It’s about reclaiming power, rewriting a family history, and healing from the inside out. Her story reminds us that we all have the ability to make lasting change — no matter our age, our past, or our starting point.
If you’re facing your own health battle, let Tracey’s story inspire you. Start small. Start now. And trust that transformation is possible when you decide you’re worth the effort.
