Success Story: Emma

Emma, Age 29, Height 5ft 8in

Start Weight	12½st (Post baby)
Current Weight	9st 8lbs
Goal Weight	9st-9½st
Weight Lost	2st 3lbs
Working to Rate of Loss	1-2lbs per week

Dieting History

Nothing official. I did try cutting out white stuff like bread and pasta at one point and that made me feel less bloated.

"To be honest I have never really had that much weight to lose before getting pregnant in 2004." 

So when I put on 4 stone over 6 months I didn't really have a clue how to lose it. I tried exercising like mad but that just made me hot, tired and miserable!

Have you Lost Weight Before and Regained the Weight?

My heaviest before being pregnant was 10½ stone after a month in the US - Taco Bell, Mac Donald's and Benny's (Yuk). That came off really easy as I have always been quite active.

Late 2002, I split up with my previous partner and started scuba diving every week, looking after my lovely horse and training to be a Chartered Accountant.

"I think the combination of activity and stress and a smoking habit caused me to get to my lowest weight of about 8½ stone in late 2003." 

Some of that went back on over Xmas but not a lot and I was only 8 3/4 stone at 9 weeks pregnant in September 2004!

How Being Overweight has Affected you…

After having my daughter and getting married, I don't have as much spare time on my hands.

I haven't been diving or riding for at least 18 months.

"I miss my active life a great deal and I think the whole weight gain and lifestyle change has been a real shock." 

I wanted to get active and lose the weight but found it hard to find the time. I would get very miserable sat at home on maternity leave and just eat.

I wanted to get out with friends but had no clothes to wear and shopping for them made me cry (actually in the shops and changing rooms).

I have argued with my OH and things have really been rocky.

He believes in 'tough love', i.e. push someone hard enough and they will thank you when they get there. People still saw me as me but I didn't.

Motivation to Diet

I have a lovely pair of jeans that my OH bought me just before I found out I was pregnant.

"I wanted to get them on again. I wanted to look like a slim mummy and feel less squidgy." 

I wanted to go shopping without crying and wear lycra again!

I wanted to know I could get my Drysuit on and go diving. I knew I could do it I just had to find a way to get there and prove to myself that I could have all of the above!

Discovering Weight Loss Resources

Hmm, I have no idea. I think I stumbled across it looking for a calorie counting website.

Sorry not very exciting like coming to me in a dream!

How Weight Loss Resources Helps

Well I have lost the last stone since January. I can wear those jeans, fit into my dry suit with a squeeze, go shopping and not cry, wear lycra to go running and have to find a soft bit for my daughter rest her head on when we cuddle.

"I have been able to 'talk' whenever I wanted and some one would listen on the message boards." 

So much advice has been offered and so many cyberhugs and pats on the back have been given.

One message told me that 'your family/friends get angry because they are so fed up of hearing about the calorie content of this and that and your latest exercise plans that they don't want to hear any more'

I thought it was quite harsh but realised that this was right - so now I talk to the guys on the boards instead.

"I have started running and decided to do Race for Life in June and the runners message board has been great. It's like being at a club."

The diary is great as you don't just focus on calories but look at how balanced your diet is and how much fruit and veg you are consuming. This makes it more of a lifestyle exercise than just another diet.

Oh and the little jotters are fab!

The Best of Weight Loss Resources

I use the food diary, research facility, recipes and the message boards. That covers most of it hey?

Emma's Calorie Counting Tips

Fill in your food diary as realistically as you can and change things about to get the best plan for you, ie rate of loss, weigh in days. Look at the balance of what you are eating and not just the calories.

Talk to the other members as they are a huge source of help and support.

"Look at people's profiles and you'll be surprised at how many people are like yourself and how far some people have come already. It helps to know you can do it."

Find time to exercise even if it only means getting the ironing out and hoovering the lounge. My dog has enjoyed his extra walks even the ones in the rain and I dance to the Tweenies with my daughter.

I feel like I have had a massive personal journey since January.

I was doubting I would ever lose the weight and sort out my eating habits.

"I am still about 1/2 stone heavier than before I was pregnant but I don't care. I have come to the realisation that I am slim now and I just want to get fit and toned. The message has finally sunk in."

I'm not perfect but then no one is. I am still going to keep going with the food diary to keep an eye on my eating patterns, to give back support that has been given and to join in with the runners on the message boards.

I don't think you can just get to your ideal weight and simply stop taking care of your diet and lifestyle. It's not just about the weight, that’s just the tangible thing that we blame it on.

So that’s where I am now - Thanks WLR.