Age: 29
Height: 5' 7½"
Start Weight: 10st 6lb
Current Weight: 9st 3lb
Goal Weight: 9st 3lb
Weight Lost: 1st 3lb
Working to Rate of Loss: 1lb per week
Weight Loss History
No specific diets. Just cutting down on food generally,
although that didn’t last long. As soon as I’d lost a bit of
weight I’d start upping the intake again and within a couple of
months I’d have put on weight again.
Have you lost weight before
and regained the weight?
Yes many, many times! My weight has yo-yoed from 9st to 10½
st and back countless times over the last 10 years or so. I was
always chubby as a child and was amazed when the puppy fat came
off in my late teens. Until the age of 24 or so I could lose any
weight gain easily by cutting down on sweets, crisps, chocolate
etc - in fact, food in general, but never really did much exercise. I’ve never really had a
particularly healthy relationship with food until the last
couple of years when I have been making more of an effort to eat
healthily and regularly.
How being overweight has affected you…
I have never been hugely overweight so my weight has never
really stopped me doing anything but my mood is definitely
affected by my weight. My self-confidence takes a battering when
I put weight on and I feel so much better about myself when I am
slimmer. Plus all my friends are slim and gorgeous and I have to
admit to feelings of jealousy when I’m bigger than they are. And
no one should be jealous of good friends!
Motivation to Lose Weight
Reading an article in a magazine about a group of 50-60 year
old women who took care of themselves and looked fantastic
motivated me! I suddenly realised I am nearly 30, half their
age, yet was letting everything go. I started to think what I
would look like at 60 if I continued the way I’d been going.
Also struggling to get into a pair of size 14 trousers gave me a
bit of a kick up the backside. That and a wardrobe full of
clothes I couldn’t wear!
Discovering Weight Loss Resources
I was doing an Internet search for calorie contents; WLR came
up and I signed up for the free trial, then joined after the 3
days. That was a couple of years ago and I have been back and
forth to it ever since.
This time around I’m looking at it more long-term though and
fully expect to be a member for life!
How Weight Loss Resources Helps
It is so educational being able to see exactly how many cals,
fat etc is in everything I eat. I am still often surprised by
how high in cals supposedly ‘healthy’ foods can be. Since using
the site I have upped my fruit and veg intake and hardly ever
eat fried foods. Overall, the food and exercise databases have
changed the way I think about ‘bad’ foods, such as chocolate and
I now know that I can eat them without guilt as long as I have
earned the calories. It has been a revelation and I really enjoy
the treats now they are not covered in guilt! I never used the
message boards until this year and I’m sure they are partly to
thank for my success and change of mind-set this time around. It’s so great to be
able to get help and advice from like-minded people anytime it’s
required. The encouragement and welcome from other members never
fails to amaze me.
The Best of Weight Loss Resources
I use the food and exercise diaries daily and although I
rarely have time to post messages anymore I often read through
them to see how everyone is getting on. I actually got my job
through the message boards after Erin123 replied to a message I
posted about being unemployed and frustrated. I love the job and
it’s great working with a fellow WLR-er!!
Adele's Tips for Losing Weight
I would just say ‘stick with it.’ It has taken me a few years
on and off to get where I am today. For some reason everything
seems much easier this time; it’s just clicked. It is so
important to be completely honest when entering food and
exercise. I used to stop entering my food once I’d reached my
daily limit and would somehow convince myself that if it wasn’t
entered then it didn’t count! I’d also say to try lowering your
rate of loss if you are struggling. As an ‘all or nothing’
person I previously set my rate of loss to 2lbs per week and
found it almost impossible to stay within cals. Rather than do
this and deny yourself it’s much better to lower your rate to
something you can easily achieve, then rather than seeming like
a ‘diet’ it becomes a way of eating for life.
To anyone who is struggling, I’d just say don’t give up. Even
if you go away from the site for a while never be afraid to come
back and try again. Also I know it’s a cliché but drink lots of
water! It does help fill you up and it certainly makes me feel
better health-wise too. If you’re struggling to have enough
calories try ‘earning’ extra cals by walking every day. Even if
it's just 20 minutes round the block. I walk to and from work now everyday (4 miles in
total) and it makes such a huge difference. If I don’t have time
to go to the gym I feel like I’ve had a good workout and it’s
made my legs better than they have been for years!
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