Hannah Mai, 37, managed to lose the weight in two years by doing a simple daily exercise
A woman who piled on 10 stone due to a rare condition has shed the weight in just two years, thanks to a daily exercise routine.
Hannah Mai, 37, was diagnosed with Cushing’s disease, a hormonal disorder caused by high cortisol levels, in October 2020 after gaining 10 stone in just two and a half years.
Following her diagnosis, Hannah underwent brain surgery in February 2021 to remove the pituitary tumour causing her condition and was prescribed steroids to manage it.
In April, 2023, Hannah was taken off her steroid medication and was determined to shed the 10 stone she gained due to the disease – who weighed 20 stone 5lbs and was a size 26.
Through a combination of high-protein meals and daily pilates sessions, Hannah impressively slimmed down to 10 stone 4lbs, fitting into a size 10, all within two years.
Hannah, from Coventry, Warwickshire, said: “Once I started losing the weight, I just kept going.
“It isn’t easy, you really have to push yourself, and focus on who you want to be and think about who you want to be.”
When she turned 30, Hannah noticed she started gaining weight and went from nine stone to 16 stone in a few months. She revealed that despite frequent doctor visits, she was constantly asked if she was expecting or if her weight gain was due to hormonal changes.
Hannah shared: “I was always around nine stone, but I noticed how I started to gain a bit of weight. I knew there was something wrong with me, but people around me thought I had changed my diet and asked if I was eating more.
“I was asked if I was pregnant six times, and told that my weight gain could be caused by hormones. I went up to 20 stone at my heaviest.”
In October 2020, over two years since her weight began to increase, Hannah woke up one day with a hunched back.
After a quick Google search suggested Cushing’s disease as a possible cause, and noticing the other symptoms including weight gain, she immediately sought medical advice.
She was referred to University Hospital Coventry & Warwickshire, where an MRI scan and blood tests confirmed she had Cushing’s disease.
Hannah added: “I printed off the list of symptoms and took them to my doctor, who then referred me to the hospital.
“There, I had an MRI scan and blood tests, which confirmed that I had Cushing’s disease.
“I was relieved but scared when I got the diagnosis. I had been saying for years that there was something wrong with me.”
Five months post-diagnosis, in February 2021, Hannah underwent brain surgery to remove the pituitary tumour causing the condition, and was put on steroids to manage her symptoms.
After battling with her health and spending two years on steroids to manage her condition, Hannah came off the medication as her health improved.
After she came off her medication, Hannah said she knew she was better and became determined to lose weight.
She said: “It wasn’t easy to lose weight whilst I was still on steroids, as soon as I came off them, I knew this was my body and I was a lot better.
“I really pushed myself, I worked super hard, cut out all sugar, cut out dairy, and gluten after I was diagnosed with celiac disease.
“I have a low-carb, high-protein diet with lots of vegetables, and I do pilates every day.”
Her commitment paid off as she impressively slimmed down from 20 stone to 10 stone within two years. She went from wearing a size 26 clothes to wearing a size 10 – back to where she was before Cushing’s disease.
Hannah said: “I am super proud of myself, I am always worried that the weight will come back.
“I feel so much happier. When I look back at myself, I just can’t believe I was that size.
“When I look back at old photos, I feel very sad about what happened to me, but it makes me think that I need to be proud about how far I have come.”
Hannah is currently raising money for The Pituitary Foundation.