Sue is our February Calendar Girl
Sue, lost 3 stone 8lbs on our Gi diet and said goodbye to her heart problems and hello to a gorgeous new look. Sue's chosen Calendar Charity is Cancer Research UK, the UK's leading cancer charity. All proceeds from sales of the Calendar go the Charities listed in the Calendar.
Sue tells us about the changes losing weight had on her health.
What weight and BMI were you when you started the Tesco Diets meal plans and what weight and BMI are you now?
I was 14 stone 5 lbs and had a BMI of 31 in September 2009. Not I am 10 stone 12 lbs and my BMI is 23. I am delighted to have reached and maintained my target weight.
Have you lost any inches?
Since January 2010 I have dropped 6 inches from my waist, 3.7 inches from my hips, 1 inch of each bicep and 2 inches off each thigh.
Has your life changed for the better in 2010?
I am a different person to who I was before I used the Tesco Diets Gi plan. I look and feel much younger and fitter, and I also feel more attractive. I can do things that I never thought I would be able to do before and I have a real 'Can Do' attitude now. I always avoided sporty activities before, because I felt that I would be no good at them - the only things that I did do were walking and a brave attempt at half jogging, half running for the annual Race for Life.
Now that I am fit I no longer take medication for high blood pressure, as that has come down to the level of a healthy 20 year old (my GP's words). I am so glad that I may well have added several years to my life by losing weight and getting fit.
I love being able to buy clothes that don't just fit, but show off the figure that has finally come out of hiding after years or lurking under layers of flab and bulky clothing. I also really enjoy getting dressed up for special occasions now.
Oh - and one more thing - old friends who I have seen recently, have barely, if at all, recognised me. I have had such fun telling people who I am - it's like reinventing myself. Who said life begins at 40 - for me it began at a BMI of 24.
What steps have you taken to achieve this positive change?
I have completely reviewed my attitudes to eating and I really looked into my eating patterns. This has helped me to identify the times when I have eaten for reasons other than hunger. Following the Gi Plan has really helped me to change my eating habits for the better, as it smooths out the peaks and troughs in my blood sugar levels. Having more stable blood sugar levels has meant that I don't crave sugary foods and also don't experience severe hunger. I have learned to plan my meals and snacks so that I can perform at my best, rather than having to grab a snack on the run.
I also joined a local gym around the same time as I started with Tesco Diets (back in September 2009). I followed an exercise programme, which is regularly reviewed, and this has helped to speed up my metabolism as well as tone up my body. I go to the gym 3 times a week and also go to an Aquafit class, which is really good fun. Once a week I attend a Pilates class, this has helped me to improve my posture, so that I can now stand up and be proud. I spent 50 years trying to hide my body, so it didn't come naturally to stand tall and enter a room with confidence and my shoulders back.
Is there something you love doing that has taken a major role in this change?
I never enjoyed exercising. The more exercise I get, the more I grow in confidence, both in my ability to improve at what I am doing, and in body confidence. Now I go to the gym because I know that I will enjoy it; even if I am tired when I go there, I always feel so much better afterwards. The gym staff at Melksham Blue Pool are really great and so encouraging. I cringed when I first joined the gym and was measured, but now I feel as though I want to be an ambassador for exercise and sensible, sustainable weight loss - I have to restrain myself from rushing up to complete strangers and telling them that if I can achieve this, they most certainly can!
Any other information you would like to give?
There is always an excuse not to lose weight or exercise, and I of all people know that I should have taken these steps years ago. But what I would say is - don't listen to your own excuses; be true to yourself. I embarked on this wonderful journey the day after my lovely husband of 26 years left for a tour of duty in Afghanistan, so I had every good reason to wallow in misery and comfort eating. Instead I used it as a focus and look what happened. Once Mark returned he was so impressed that he supported me as I continued to lose weight, cooking and eating the meals with me.
