Vicky’s Weight Loss Success

AKA "VickyD88" on Weight Loss Resources

About Vicky

When I was in school, I was an active girl. I ran the relay race, hurdles and the 800m for sports day most years, and was on the basketball team. I also attended a weekly cheerleading class. In fact sport was a big part of my life! As I got older, this got less important and my new interest was boys! I pretty much blame long-term relationships for my weight gain! That’s what they say isn’t it, you get ‘comfy.’

At the moment, I have a wonderful boyfriend, Thomas. We have been together three years . . . I’d say that’s where it all began. When I met Thomas I was a small size 12 and around 9 ½ to 10 stone. After the first year my weight crept up to 11 stone and after the second year I was 12 stone and verging on a size 16! We used to eat McDonalds most nights for dinner and drink a ton of alcohol most weekends!

I currently live at home with my Mum and Dad! Dad’s diet is horrendous and Mum buys him junk food, and eventually I was eating the same! I use to eat a big plate of fried chips most nights with a ton of cheese and a dollop of full-fat mayonnaise AND half a pizza! I wasn’t bothered about my weight; I had someone who loved me and was very happy, or so I thought...

It wasn’t until one night, when I was out with a group of mates, that I started to feel low about myself after a nasty comment from a passer-by. I bought myself a gorgeous yellow dress from River Island and felt great in it, and then I heard someone behind me saying, ‘You shouldn’t be wearing something like that at your weight! You’re too fat for that dress!’ I cried myself to sleep that night and decided it was time to do something about the weight gain! It didn’t help that I was working 9.30 to 5.30 five days a week and was too tired after work to get to the gym!

What diets (if any) have you tried in the past?

The first diet I remember trying was Tesco Diets. I wasn’t really sure how it worked and soon got bored of it. I had the same problem with Closer diets.

I then signed up to Weight Watchers online. I did lose around 6lbs but it took a while and I got impatient. It was also very expensive and I found calculating points a bit of a chore!

Tell us how your weight has affected you?

When I reached my peak weight of 12st 6lbs after yo-yoing for a while, I stopped going out with friends. I felt like the ‘fat one,’ the one who never got any attention! I can remember getting that bad I contemplated making myself sick! Luckily Mum caught me and saved me from going down that road! I was so depressed and cried constantly. 

What has been your main motivation to lose weight?

I wanted to get my confidence back; I wanted to feel good in clothes and be happy again. I wanted to go out and party like I used to and not be scared of another vicious comment.

Which tools and resources do you use regularly on WLR? Which tools do you find invaluable?

The forums are the real backbone of WLR. You post a message and within seconds someone has replied. You can really rely on the support of other members. The Food Diary is fabulous; a great way of keeping an eye on what you eat, and being able to plan ahead is a great help. This is why I have been so successful in my weight loss!

Why do you think WLR has helped you lose weight?

There is no messing about with points etc. It is easy to use, and the members are fantastic. To have the Help Team on hand is great. Any problems I have had have been sorted quickly and efficiently. It is by far the best £10 a month I have ever spent.

Have you struggled at points in your weight loss journey??  Experienced a weight loss plateau?? What has kept you motivated?

I have gained weight, stayed the same, had huge losses and small losses, but this is all part of the learning experience. It is going to happen to most people, but you can’t let it drag you down. I just keep strong and keep going. It’s going to take time, so why not use that time and turn it into something positive.

I look back at old photos and remember that if I stop now, I will end up back where I don’t want to be.

The forums are also great. I can’t praise them enough, and I know that if I need a little support I can get it from fellow members. Don’t be scared to post messages, it is what has kept most of us going.

Since losing weight can you give some examples of how your life has changed??

I am so much more confident. I wear those little tight bodycon dresses and feel proud of what I have achieved.

In some ways it has helped my relationship. I’m no longer jealous of slim girls, I’m proud of me and who I am.

I go out and enjoy myself again. I am me again.

Exercise routines adopted?

I love walking! Mum joins me and we’ve become closer - losing weight has so many advantages!

What do you love about your body now?

I love my feminine curves. My little waist and curvy hips! My smaller bum! I love that I can walk up 3 flights of stairs and don’t feel as though I’m about to pass out. I love that I can go into a shop and pick up a size 10 and not a 16!

Vicky's Tips and Hints:

When the going gets tough, the tough get going! Stick at it. If I can do it anyone can. Set yourself small weight loss goals and work to them. Setting one goal can feel like it’s a mile off and can be disheartening.

Use the forums, everyone is friendly and all messages are answered without fail!

When you have a bad day, enter it all into the diary, learn from it, draw a line under it or claw back what you can and pick yourself up and start again. I have done this countless times, we are only human!

Never deprive yourself of the foods you love, you will only begin to resent it and give up on your weight loss! I still enjoy pizza, chips and sausages etc. I look forward to my Saturday morning grilled breakie!

Find someone with similar stats and pair up as buddies. FIFI87 has been a backbone for me, I can’t thank her enough!

And last but not least, never give up. I did so many times in the past and it only made me more miserable and fatter!

Vicky's Vital Statistics

	Before	Now
Weight	12st 2lbs	9st 8.8lbs
BMI	28.7	22.9
Waist	34"	28"
Hips	41"	35.5"