How slim people eat!
Catherine Matthews
Having spent years convinced that she was 'naturally heavy' and would never be able to lose weight Antonia decided to have a last ditch attempt at reducing some of her more ‘voluptuous curves’. She admits to trying almost every diet known to man, but none were successful until she discovered the online Gi plan.
“I have a wonderful history of failed dieting. I am not naturally skinny and have been overweight since childhood. I tried the Rotation diet, Atkins diet, Weight Watchers diet, Scottish Slimmers…not to mention the many home grown variations, some of which included as little as a yoghurt for lunch.”
Her determination to lose weight made the poor results all the more disappointing. Antonia was tired of being knocked from her own virtual dieting round-about.
“When it comes to 'how not to diet' I could write a book on the subject, none of them worked in the long term. I did lose weight with some of them, but hungry and miserable I would stop following the diet and regain all the pounds lost.”
After giving birth to her daughter Antonia started to feel as though the time had come to finally do something about her weight.
“I have always been ‘curvy’; my weight generally fluctuated between 11 and 12 stone. Over the past couple of years it was firmly stuck above 12 stone, the birth of my lovely girl meant I was closer to the 13 stone mark and I still looked pregnant. When my daughter was about 3 months old I started to exercise again in an attempt to take some control of my weight. You can imagine how demoralised I was when at the end of a dance class somebody asked me when my baby was due.”
Just 6 months after joining the online Gi plan, Antonia has lost 2 stone 9 lbs and has achieved the sort of shape that would make any woman proud. Her BMI has reduced from 28 to 22 and she has dropped 3 dress sizes to a size 10.
Before registering, Antonia’s eating habits and weight meant she was at a high risk of developing health complications. As a new mother and woman in the prime of her life she was understandably concerned about her health and fitness.
“I was the classic ‘apple shape’ and carried all my excess weight around my middle, which I knew was bad news for my health. I have always hated being this shape and was aware that there were links between eating refined carbohydrates and gaining weight around your abdomen. This made perfect sense to me, I have had a sweet tooth and a love of white bread since childhood and unfortunately the waist to go with.”
“I didn’t want to be setting myself up for Diabetes; I knew the flab had to go and that I had to become healthier for life.”
Now that Antonia has toned up and dropped the pounds she has developed a shopping fetish and loves nothing more than browsing through the aisles of pretty clothes that would never have fitted her previously.
“There are a few high street stores I would not have gone into, because I was too embarrassed to try their large or extra large sizes in case they would not fit. Now you can’t keep me out of the shops. I take size 12 clothes to the changing rooms never really believing they will fit…to my amazement they do and sometimes they are even too loose so I need to return for the size 10’s.”
Another bonus associated with her weight loss, is the sense of adventure she has gained when shopping. She no longer resorts to purchasing mourning type clothes. The new lease of life Antonia has gained, is reflected in the vibrancy of the clothes she wears now.
“I love that I can just pop into any high street shop and pick up something that I fancy, I have not bought anything black for months.”
Antonia had the constant support of her sister Andrea who also happens to be a very successful follower of the online weight loss programme.
“We had very different approaches, but both of us achieved great success. We were a little competitive at times but I had to remember that we are all different people and everyone needs to do things in their own way.”
Changing your eating habits is never easy especially if you have an addiction to the sugary stuff.
“I have broken my cake and biscuit habit. I used to keep biscuits out of the house because I knew I would eat far too many. I don’t feel a ‘need’ for all those sweet foods anymore. The Gi plan definitely tamed my sweet tooth.”
One of the main reasons for Antonia’s success is her love of exercise. Sure it helps to keep your weight under control but it can also be a wonderful way to improve your mood, health…need I go on?
“I can’t recommend exercise enough. I have a healthy appetite and enjoy food, so regular exercise allows me larger and more satisfying portions.”
There is no doubting how determined Antonia is to remain slim and healthy.
“I have lost the weight at a slow and steady rate, so I have no doubt that it will stay off. I honestly feel like someone has let me in on the secret of ‘how slim people eat’!”