In the swim with a 6 stone success!
Have you ever woken up and thought, “This time next year I want to be different”? Well, that’s exactly what Jacqueline did on her 34th birthday. She thought “I don’t want to be fat on my 35th birthday”.
Jacqueline was fed-up having no self-confidence, she hated buying clothes, and most of all, she wanted to be energetic for her 3-year old niece.
So Jacqueline took action and joined our programme in September 2002. At her first weigh-in, Jacqueline registered 15st 11lbs and had a BMI of 38 – too far above the healthy range of 20-25 for the good of her health. Since then, she has shed a whopping 5st and 12 lbs, not to mention 10 dress sizes!
Jacqueline had dieted in the past but then found that her underactive thyroid caused her to put the weight she had lost back on.
But this time she was determined. “I wanted to be able to play with my 3-year old niece, Cydney – go to the park and run around with her”.
With the support of her mum, brother, sister and friends, Jacqueline is a new woman and has never had more energy. “I have lots more self-confidence and I believe that I can do anything now! This year I did a 5km walk for charity and raised money for cancer research.”
Jacqueline has also taken up swimming and will be heading for the Olympics at the rate she’s going! “I enjoy swimming and now do between 400 and 500 lengths a week. When I started going swimming over a year ago I could only do 10 lengths per session. Now I can do up to 150 lengths in a session. I’ve also started horse-riding lessons and I’ve taken up Irish dancing!”
Spurred on by other success stories on our site and the weekly newsletters, Jacqueline completely changed her eating and lifestyle habits. “Being overweight holds you back from so many things in life. I used to eat 5 or more bars of chocolate per day, every day of the week. I decided to give it up totally and do not miss it at all. The difference is that I’m healthier and fitter, and am not a size 22 but a size 12.”
In fact, Jacqueline has changed so much that she’s virtually unrecognisable to her friends! “When I meet friends who I haven’t seen for some time, their reaction to my new figure is great! Some friends only recognise me by my car, or if I’m with my sister. Sometimes I even have to stop them when they pass me on the street!”
As a result of her incredible weight loss, Jacqueline has bought herself a whole new wardrobe. “Before I lost the weight I hated buying clothes as I felt that I didn’t look good in anything. Now I enjoy going shopping for clothes. I’ve started buying low-cut tops and dresses. Last summer I wore a bikini for the first time ever on holidays, and this winter I am wearing short skirts with knee length boots. I have so much more confidence.”
Friends and family are noticing the difference too. Jacqueline says, “My sister says my personality has changed since my weight loss. Before the weight loss, I would hide in a corner and was very shy indeed but now I am confident and outgoing as well.”
Jacqueline’s friends and family aren’t the only ones who’ve noticed her new look. “I’m getting lots of male attention! This is something new to me and I’m really enjoying it.”
So what are Jacqueline’s tips for a successful shape-up? “The only way to lose weight is to eat healthily, exercise, and most importantly BELIEVE IN YOURSELF! You don’t have to spend a fortune joining a gym either – I go swimming over 30 times a month and it only costs me £12.55 a month. And don’t forget, having the odd treat is good for you.”
This energetic lady is surely a true inspiration to us all!
