For 15 years, Robbie struggled with sugar cravings, yo-yo dieting and a chocolate habit that made walking past a shop without buying chocolate almost impossible. Then, during lockdown in 2020, he discovered Killa Vanilla.
We caught up with Robbie to hear how his relationship with sugar changed, why he stopped putting sugar in his tea, and how he went on to lose 1.5 stone in six months.
Where's home?
Nottingham
What do you do for a living?
Operations manager at a University.
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
I enjoy going to the gym and Pokémon GO!
Before Killa Vanilla, what did a typical day of sugar cravings look like?
I couldn’t walk past a shop without buying some chocolate! It could be in the morning or whenever I was out and about. My willpower burnt out very quickly and I’d crash quite early in the day. My diet was pretty poor too.
How long had that pattern of snacking and cravings been part of your life?
Since university, so around 15 years.
What foods or drinks would you most commonly crave?
Milk chocolate, Diet Coke and Pepsi Max, with a bit of alcohol too! I was a real yo-yo dieter.
How did those cravings and sugary snacks make you feel afterwards?
It was a constant cycle and so engrained that, to be honest, I didn't really notice how I felt afterwards. It was just normal to me.
Have you ever tried to calculate how many calories, snacks or treats you were consuming?
I did, but if I broke my diet, I'd just stop counting for the rest of the day.
Had you tried anything prior to Killa Vanilla?
I'd tried calorie counting and joined a gym in 2011. I also did WW back in the day, but I never tried anything specifically for my sugar cravings.
How did you discover Killa Vanilla?
Instagram ad.
What made you decide to give it a try?
I’d heard about an anti-chocolate patch a very long time ago, which gave you the smell of chocolate. I also watched a TV programme about it, so the concept wasn’t entirely new to me. This made it easier to buy Killa Vanilla because I was already familiar with the principle of smell driving flavour and our enjoyment of food.
How was your experience getting started?
I bought the sticks during the first lockdown in 2020, shortly before Easter, during lockdown. On my morning walk, I'd take Killa Vanilla with me. Over time, without even realising it, I wasn't going into the shop for my chocolate anymore!
When did you first notice something changing?
It happened really quickly, within a couple of weeks.
I never really weighed myself because it wasn't fun! But when I did weigh myself after two weeks, I'd lost half a stone. It was the combination of all the walking and Killa Vanilla. It became a virtuous cycle. I started doing more in the gym and lifting more weights too.
What were the first changes you noticed?
Within a few weeks it was Easter and I didn’t finish the easter eggs. I didn’t even open some of them! I thought - this is amazing!
At what point did you realise your relationship with sugary food had genuinely shifted?
It was when I noticed I'd stopped putting sugar in my tea!
I worked from home a lot and I'd normally have a teaspoonful of sugar with every hot drink. One time, I just thought, “No, I'm alright!” That was the beginning, and it's been like that ever since... which I'm grateful for!
What changes have you noticed in your health, weight and wellbeing?
I lost 1.5 stone in six months. My sleep was better. I became more alert mentally and more interested in doing different activities, especially getting out and about. I felt liberated.
Have you experienced any unexpected benefits?
My habits overall are much better, but specifically, I noticed I had a much better appreciation for flavour profiles. As I ate less and less sugar, foods started tasting sweeter, which meant I enjoyed them far more! I even like coffee now and appreciate it in a way I never could before.
How do you feel now compared with before using Killa Vanilla?
I’m more energised. I find myself doing more. I have more mental power! I’ve started studying again. I’m currently doing my MBA!
What would you say to somebody currently struggling with sugar cravings?
You need some willpower, but give Killa Vanilla a go! Take it with you, use it when you'd normally reach for the chocolate or sugar, and see how it goes. Everyone goes on their own journey, and this could change your life like it has mine.
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your experience?
I think it's a very well-designed product. It’s discreet and it’s so easy to take with you. What I really like is that it doesn’t smell all the time. I get the scent when I use it, so it’s never overwhelming.
