How weight loss is changing my life
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I’ve been a mentor with Tesco Diets for almost three years now and I have to confess that although I spend my working day advising others on how to lose weight and get fitter, I didn’t always practice what I preached. I come from an easy-going family who like their food and drink and it’s all too easy to just go with the flow. Now and then, I’d try to lose a few pounds for some special occasion but I only ever did it under pressure and when the occasion had passed again, I’d be back to my ‘normal’ eating habits. My weight was steadily creeping up and when I hit the 11 stone mark I found that not only was I overweight, I was in the obese category. Seeing my true weight on the scales made me take a long look at myself. I knew that my BMI had strayed into unhealthy territory and, as Mum to an 8 year old daughter, I realized that this wasn’t good. I didn’t just need to consider my own life, but hers too. That’s when I knew things had to change. I had no excuses really. I had access to a host of diet plans and fitness information. It was time to start using it. I chose the Low-Carb plan because it was one I had tried before and I liked the type of foods I could eat on it. I had also recently found I was becoming intolerant to bread and too much of it was upsetting my stomach and making me bloated. Cutting it out, along with rice, pasta and potatoes wasn’t going to be a big problem. The idea of being able to lose weight while enjoying bacon, eggs, cream and other such delights may seem alien to some but once the process of ketosis begins, the body starts burning fat as fuel rather than the small amount of carbs I’d be taking in. I lost 3.5lbs in the first week which gave my motivation a huge boost for the weeks ahead. My weight loss since then has been slow and steady with an average of a pound per week with the occasional static result. Frustrating though those stagnant weeks are, I try to be philosophical about them as I know the weight loss will continue if I stay on track. As I began to lose weight, I noticed some other unexpected changes. I stopped feeling sleepy during the day. I wasn’t as moody and I felt I had a lot more get up and go. The thought of exercise no longer made me cringe and I began to walk and cycle more often, leaving the car at home for short journeys whenever I could. I also enlisted the help of my daughter to encourage me to exercise with the Wii fit each day. On my mornings off, I went swimming and tried to visit the pool at least twice a week. Don’t get me wrong, none of this happened overnight and I hit a fair few bumps in the road. When that happened, I just kept going, making a fresh start whenever I needed to and got on with it. I researched for extra recipes, talked to members doing the low-carb diet on the forums and joined a few internet groups. The phrase ‘knowledge is power’ really does count and I was able to add plenty of variety to my diet with some clever recipes. It helped to compare notes with others and feeling that I wasn’t making the journey alone really helped. I also got enormous encouragement and support from my family, friends and colleagues in Tesco Diets which has kept me going. Three months on, I am a stone lighter and halfway to my target weight. I know that compared to others, it’s not a huge amount but it really makes a difference to me. In that time, I have become fitter, dropped a clothes size and regained my confidence. I felt like I was slipping into a frumpy, forty-something rut but now I feel years younger and a whole lot happier with myself. The best thing is, those healthier eating habits I adopted are sticking. I eat a lot more vegetables than I used to, make healthy choices without really thinking about it and drinking water comes naturally. The other half of my journey still lies ahead but I know that if I keep going, I will eventually get there. I’m not putting a time limit on myself but my ambition is to complete the women’s mini-marathon next June. For the first time, I feel I can do it. Watch this space!
Kind regards,
Jennifer Roche
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KATEMACLEAN, the very best of luck to you and your husband starting the plan. I hope you will both enjoy the recipes and meal choices. Stick with it, stay active and keep your fluid levels up. If you do this, you are sure to succeed. Be sure to ask if you need any help or guidance.
Comment by JENROCHE -
HEALTHIERSELF, congratulations on reaching your target weight. That's fantastic and I'm so pleased for you. It's great to hear you are feeling fitter and more confident and are enjoying veg and healthy food more. Keep up those healthy habits and you will be able to maintain that ideal weight for life.
Comment by JENROCHE -
i have tried every diet out i just have very little willpower so this is the first one i have tried on line so here goes my husband is also doing it although not joined as such but he is the chef in the house and needs to lose a stone or two so wish us luck and motivation
Comment by KATEMACLEAN -
a stone is a big positive change, congratulations! I have just hit my target weight and I can tell you that it's a fantastic feeling. I feel like I have more energy too and I am a lot fitter and confident. I like veg and healthy food much more too.
Comment by HEALTHIERSELF -