Ursula's Weight Loss Success

AKA "URSHiEM" on Weight Loss Resources

Approaching her 40th birthday, Ursula realised she had spent the first 40 years of her life being overweight and if she didn’t do something about her weight, she would not enjoy many more years to come. Today, Ursula is nearly 10st lighter and is feeling fantastic and fit!

Dieting History

Over the years, like many mums I’ve picked at the children’s leftovers, and cooked huge portions for my partner. I would dish up the same size portions for me as well so over the years my weight just went up and up.

My previous job was a desk job and I’d eat biscuits every morning with coffee. The boys would send out for McDonalds most lunchtimes as well, so my job did affect my eating habits and weight. I started a new job a couple of months after I started WLR. Thankfully my current job involves being on my feet most of the day so it’s probably helped.

Have You Lost Weight Before and Regained the Weight?

I lost a couple of stone with Weight Watchers but got sick of trying to count points. As soon as I stopped going to the meetings it all went back on because I’d not really learnt about the calorie content of foods.

How Being Overweight Has Affected You…

Being overweight put quite a restriction on my life. I was too ashamed to go swimming so the kids missed out on that quite a lot. I was also terrified of getting stuck in the rides at theme parks or the belt not going round me so I’d just watch instead of joining in.

Being overweight affected every aspect of my life now I think about it.

Motivation to Diet

My 40th was looming on the horizon. I’d spent the first 40 years of my life overweight and I was pretty sure I’d be unlikely to have many more years left to enjoy as I was morbidly obese.

How Weight Loss Resources Helps

WLR is not a diet as such. WLR gives you the information you need to make good choices. With diets you feel you’ve failed if you eat chips one day but the WLR ethos makes you realise you can eat foods like that and still lose weight, as long as cut back somewhere else or exercise to offset it.

WLR members on the forums have kept me going. They can always be relied on to give you a kick up the rear when you need one, or a sympathetic shoulder. They make you realise that one bad day, or even week doesn’t matter as long as you keep going, long term it will work out.

The Best of Weight Loss Resources

I like the fact you can change your rate of loss and therefore daily calorie quota, at anytime to suit your circumstances or how you are feeling. 2lbs a week was great to start with but I did have weeks where I dropped it to 1lb or 1/2lb to give myself a bit of a break.

I like reading the Food Ideas board in WLR Members Forum for recipe ideas too.

Lifestyle Changes

I’ve taken up exercising regularly, and I love it. I would never in a million years thought I’d have a gym membership but I do! As well as that I’m more active in my everyday life; I walk or cycle to work rather than use the car.

I’m a much more confident person. I don’t feel like people are staring and judging me anymore.

I still eat the same foods, only not as much of them and not as often in the case of high calorie foods. I eat much more fruit, vegetables and salad than I did before.

Typical Dinner – Before

Fish and chips with curry sauce, 3 slices bread and butter, 2 or 3 chocolate biscuits.

Typical Dinner - Now

Clear soup, Tomato and low fat mozzarella with spinach, ham, and 1 slice wholemeal bread, yogurt or low fat rice pudding.

Exercise Routines Adopted

I do mixture of Step, Body Attack, Body Conditioning and Aerobics 7-10 times a week.

Ursula's Calorie Counting Tips

Most definitely take up some form of regular exercise. Exercise earns you extra calories which make it much easier to stick to your allowance and gives you that leeway for treats now and then. The feeling of being fit is a fantastic feeling too.