Profile – Trish

AKA "TRISH" on Weight Loss Resources

Dieting History

I have tried the F Plan Diet, the Egg Diet, Slimming World… oh, the list is endless. I have tried calorie counting on its own in the past, but found referring to books too time consuming and soon lost interest (the online databases are brilliant, all the work is taken out of calorie counting).

I have been going pretty much from one diet to the other over the last year or so and have been a yo-yo dieter all my life. I can't remember EVER being normal, I seem to have spent all my life dieting. I usually lose a stone or two and then regain it all with a little extra for luck. But not this time. This time it is for real, this time I intend to get there.

On Being Overweight…

At my heaviest I felt unattractive, not surprising when you look at me then. I would cringe when the Christmas party came around, as I seemed to get bigger each Christmas. I would leave looking for an outfit until the last moment, and then get upset because nothing fitted. My excess weight seems to hang around my middle, my legs and bum are quite firm, but my tummy is not. 

When I was at my largest I wouldn't buy clothes from shops, only mail order, and if they fitted I bought them. I wore a size 22 at my biggest, but they got to the stage where they were cutting me in two, they were way too tight. When I started dieting this time and took my measurements they told me I should have been wearing a 24/26. I would never have bought clothes in that size. 

I was tired all the time too, never seemed to have the energy to do anything. Not any more, I love shopping now and have bags and bags of energy. I'm not thin in anybody's book, but as a size 14/16 where I am now I have a little self esteem. 

Finding the Motivation

I got to the stage where enough was enough. I either had to lose some weight or buy new clothes and I wasn't going to buy them any bigger than they already were. 

I also had a worrying episode where I thought I was going to have an heart attack, and I thought seriously about losing some weight. I started dieting in January 2001 and, despite a setback earlier this year, I am on the way back down. 

I did a 25km sponsored ski last Autumn to keep me on track and ensure I went to the gym – I managed to raise a nice amount for a very worthwhile charity.       

Discovering WLR

I buy all the slimming magazines that are published every month or bimonthly. I find the success stories so inspiring, and I saw an advertisement for Weight Loss Resources in one of them.

How WLR Helps

I find the support from other members invaluable. Somebody will always pick you up when you have had a gain, and cheer for you when you have lost. I also find the Food Diary a great help, it makes keeping track of my eating habits a lot easier. 

The Best of WLR

I always read the messages. I try to give support and encouragement because I am growing to rely on the support of the other members.  

Trish's Tips

Use the planner, especially if your time is limited. Plan for the week ahead.

Finally, if you are going to do it you have to do it for yourself – nobody else can do it for you.