Age: 38
Start Weight: 16st 7lb
Current Weight Now: 12st 12lb
Weight Lost: 3st 9lb
Rate of Loss: 1½-2lb per week
Dieting History
I lost about 2 stone with the Micro Diet, when I was 21 (very
low calorie and horrible) and 3 stone by eating very, very low fat
meals and exercising, when I was 30. After both successful attempts it
all came back on again slowly.
I have also been with Weight Watchers and Slimming World. With both
these clubs I didn't like the way I was made to feel stupid and I
didn't know why I'd put on weight or how to lose it. Most overweight
people know that they have eaten too much and not exercised enough in
the past and that they need to change this pattern. With Weight Loss
Resources you are treated with respect - as someone who needs an easy
tool to get you where you want to be.
On Being Overweight…
Since losing the weight I have increased in confidence and
happiness. I remember this feeling from being slim and, although I
still have a long way to go, this feeling can only get better!
I am out and about a lot more now, and no longer putting up with
situations I don't want to be in. I have regained an interest in
buying clothes and, though I am buying size 16 at the moment, it is
fantastic to be able to walk into a "normal" shop and know
that I will be able to wear the clothes they sell.
I also get stuck and plateau, and whether this is due to the
shortening days of winter, or (as someone on the message board
suggested) "smug feelings of having done so well", I don't
know. But the motivation comes in waves now. Right now I am feeling
very motivated - Christmas in a few weeks and then my holiday. I am
also being sponsored at work with a few other people and we are
currently on target to raise over £500 for Cancer Research.
Finding the Motivation
I don't think there is anything specific (although I do have a
holiday booked to Sydney in January!) When I began on May 17 - a date
burned into my memory - a switch just flicked in my head and I was
ready to begin. I was about to go on holiday, which turned out to be
the holiday from hell as on Day 2 I discovered my partner of 6 years
had been seeing someone else. Maybe that spurred me on. I came home
immediately and booked the trip to Sydney. I used to live there and am
going back to see the sights I love, revisit old haunts and stay with
friends.
I also lost my father in March, after a long illness, and perhaps this
makes me look at life in a different way. Thankfully that switch is
still on in my head - although I'm not as obsessive about every
mouthful as I was to begin with. But I know I can do - and I will!
Discovering WLR
I read an article in Slimming magazine which was very convincing
and I joined there and then.
How WLR Helps
It enables you to take control and learn about food. You get to
understand where the calories come from, and how the different food
groups differ in the amount of calories they give you. It makes life
easy to plan, and helps you feel in control. One evening I couldn't
log on and was about to cook something - but didn't as I couldn't find
out how many calories and how much fat was in it. Instead I panicked
and reverted to the tried and trusted frozen Weight Watchers meal!
It's a bit worrying that I relied on it so much!
The weight report is encouraging with the graph so you can see it
going down, and be encouraged when you aren't too far from the target
line. It is also very sensible because it doesn't allow you to lose
more than 2lbs per week. At first I lost weight very quickly, then had
a mad social summer and slowed down, but I'm picking up again. I am
very aware, especially at work when buying lunch, of what is in
everything. Thank goodness for M&S' "Count On Us" range
- a godsend for an office worker with a microwave!
The Best of WLR
The main thing that the site has enabled me to do is be in control.
I almost always use the Food Diary, and check out the Message Boards.
On days when I have more time, I check out the other pages and always
find something that I didn't know. I have loved reading the profiles -
which was the reason I am doing this!
Nicky's Tips
My main tip for anyone is to use the Food Diary as much as
possible, and pay attention to the nutrition pie chart.
Check the Message Boards often - particularly when you think you
are the only one who feels the way you do. The members are amazing,
supportive and reassuring and it's a huge relief to realise that you
are not weird, odd, alone or going mad because of how you feel
about your weight or relationship with food. We are all in the same
boat at some point and it's great to read the stories other people
have.
Drink water - it really does help. One shelf in my fridge is full
of bottles of water, and I always have one in my handbag. At work I
top this up all day from the water fountain.
Walk up stairs as much as you can. You'll be amazed at how much
this can burn!
If you have friends who are supportive, confide in them. If you have
friends or family who are not, then don't go on about your weight loss
with them - they will have the power to bring you down in an instant.
As you grow out of your big clothes throw them out or give them
away. I spent a day doing this and keep it up so that I only ever have
clothes that fit or are a little small in my wardrobe. The best
feeling ever for me is seeing a wardrobe full of things that I want to
put on. I have a couple of things that are a size 22/24 and it is
amazing to think that I was once filling them. Try your old clothes on
now and again and be amazed! Yes you can do it. I never believed I
would succeed in losing weight, but once that switch in your head
flicks on there is no stopping you.
Finally
I was out shopping recently and saw someone I hadn't seen since
before I began to lose weight. She rang me the next day to ask how I
had lost weight, as she thought I looked fantastic and wanted to know
how I had done it as I looked so happy. I know I look far from
fantastic, but the boost that gave me was brilliant.
I know I probably shouldn't mention male attention, but being
single, happy, confident and slimmer (and getting more and more slim)
does wonders for a girl's life! You have the confidence to say no when
you mean it and yes when you mean it. dating is truly fun again!
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