Catie Achieves Slimming Success
Start Weight | 13st 7lbs |
---|---|
Current Weight | 9st 6.6lbs |
Goal Weight | 8st 13lb |
Weight Lost | 4st |
Working to Rate of Loss | 2lbs per week |
About Catie
Before joining WLR I had never been a healthy weight for my size. I’d always had body issues growing up.
I was bullied at school and convinced I was different; feeling fat, even though I was probably average.
"I spent most of my childhood comparing myself to a very skinny family friend."
As a teenager a man assaulted me near my home in 2003 whilst I was out walking my dogs, and this really affected my confidence.
I developed agoraphobia and put on about 1-½ stones. I wasn’t particularly slim before; I was a dumpy size 12- 14 but soon ballooned up to a size 16 from a combination of inactivity, anxiety medication and comfort eating.
My dad tried to encourage me to go to our local gym with him, but when I was there I felt very self conscious and thought people were looking at me, so that quickly fizzled out.
In June 2008 my Granddad passed away and I started another long binge and ballooned up to 13 ½ stone, which is my heaviest weight ever as an adult.
The Christmas after my Granddad died was awful for me. I spent my time moping and comfort eating in the house.
I was invited to a family party for New Year and none of my clothes fit me.
"I hadn’t noticed I’d outgrown them as I spent most of my time in my pyjamas and velour tracksuits around the house."
I managed to squeeze into a black stretchy dress but it didn’t feel comfortable at all. There were lots of slim girls at the party and it just made me feel totally inadequate.
On the 10th January 2009 I decided enough was enough.
I was either going to just continue on the path to obesity or I was going to change my life.
I called my dad that morning and we went to the gym.
"4 days later I discovered WLR when looking for a calorie counter and the rest is history."
Almost a year on I’m 4 stones lighter and a regular gym user! I’m happier today than I’ve ever been in my life! I also got engaged in April so 2009 has been a year where everything in my life has come together for me.
When I lived with my parents the portion sizes were huge, and there were lots of goodies to comfort eat on.
When I moved out I spent most of the day on my own, so I ate all day whilst doing my college work. I live a street away from my mum and dad too, so I’d go round there and raid their cupboards!
My partner Russell is quite partial to a curry so we’d get an Indian take away in regularly and what I’d say now would serve a family, we’d finish between the two of us!
Being a student I spend a lot of time at home, so it’s easy to eat out of boredom. On the flip side I’m in control of my time, so it’s just a case of motivating myself.
Dieting History
Slimfast:
I loved the Slimfast milk shake but it got boring and I ended up drinking them as well as eating normal food! I lasted about 1 week...
Special K diet:
Special K diet lasted a few days. I felt faint and grumpy and just stuffed my face afterwards!
How Being Overweight Has Affected You
I was self conscious all the time when I was out, that people were looking at “the big fat girl” and felt inadequate next to slimmer relatives and friends.
I used to get out of breath just walking home from my mums!
What Was Your Main Motivation To Lose Weight?
My main motivation to get slimmer was when I went to the doctors to go on the pill. She didn’t want to prescribe it for me as she said I was close to the obese category and the pill would increase my appetite further.
I was disgusted with myself. I decided not to take it.
I loved shopping and clothes and I hated not being able to wear what was the in thing and feel nice in it.
"I would never show my arms in a short-sleeved t-shirt or vest, I would cover up with shrugs and cardigans not just to hide my arms but also my muffin top and back rolls!"
People’s snide comments also spurred me on to slim down; my now ex-boyfriend made me feel like a whale, and my sister wouldn’t let me borrow anything in case I stretched it!
I channelled all of my upset and frustration into taking control of my life with WLR, and I never looked back!
The Best Of WLR
I always use my food and exercise diary, you can’t go wrong if you’re deadly honest with this.
"The message boards are fantastic and everyone is so friendly and supportive."
I used to eat when I was bored now I read the message boards.
Why Do You Think WLR Has Helped You Lose Weight Where Other Diets Have Failed?
Simply because it’s not a diet, it’s a lifestyle change.
I don’t deny myself anything. I eat what I want, but in order to do that I need to earn the calories in the gym. If I’ve had time off from the gym, I simply make wiser choices.
Have You Struggled at Points in Your Weight Loss Journey? Experienced a Weight Loss Plateau? What Has Kept You Motivated?
I think what I found hard was getting my head round the fact that I could stick with it and make a difference.
I never thought I’d be able to get slimmer, in the past I’d just accepted that being big was the way I was. I didn’t believe in myself at all.
I really thought back then that I wouldn’t lose more than a stone, if anything at all.
I also had moments where I thought it was going to take me forever to get to where I wanted to be. There was a quote I came across on WLR that flipped my mind set completely and I now apply it to other areas of my life:
"Don't let the fear of the time it will take to accomplish something stand in the way of your doing it. The time will pass anyway; we might just as well put that passing time to the best possible use." Earl Nightingale
Lifestyle Changes
My life has changed immensely! I am a more confident, independent person.
I can go out and do things for myself that I wouldn’t have done before, like ride the bus and go shopping on my own.
"I don’t mind getting my picture taken, as I like comparing the new slim ones to the old big ones!"
I don’t get out of breath when I do stairs and I can keep up with people now. WLR showed me how to do something positive for myself. They made me believe in myself. You learn so much on this site!
Exercise Changes
20 mins weights and 40 mins Cardio at the local gym 3 times per week.
What You Love About Your Body Now
I just love that I feel comfortable in my clothes and I can wear what I want! I’m not busting out of things like before. I suit a mini skirt!
Before | After | |
BMI | 30.5 | 21.4 |
Body Fat | 32.7 | 23.7 |
Chest | 36in | 30in |
Waist | 34in | 27in |
Hips | 43in | 36.5in |
Your Tips
Try not to look too far ahead, take your weight loss day by day and don’t get too obsessed with the number on the scale. There are other ways of seeing if you’re losing fat, such as how your clothes fit. I bought myself a pair of jeans a size too small as an incentive.
Take pictures throughout to keep a track of your slimming journey.
Hang on to an item of clothing that is now too big to remind you of how far you’ve come. I kept some denim shorts that I wore on holiday that are like a tent on me now!
Set mini goals throughout your weight loss and reward yourself for reaching them.
Be prepared for people asking if you are eating properly! You’ll get sick of telling people that you are. I know I did.
Don’t freak out if you go over your calorie allowance. Just get back on the wagon the next day. It’s what you do most of the time that counts!
Last of all give yourself a pat on the back for joining, and stick with it. It really does work. I was sceptical at first too!
Start a Free Trial Today
Like Catie you can achieve a new slimmer you by using the WLR Food Diary to track calories and the WLR Exercise diary to inspire you to get moving. Try it free for 24 hours.