Losing the Babyweight

Emma, Age 34, Height 5ft 7in

Start Weight	12st
Current Weight	10st
Goal Weight	10st
Weight Lost	2st
Working to Rate of Loss	2lbs per week

About Emma

I am surrounded by food all day from preparing my 8 month old's food (transitioning from milk to solids) to sandwich prep for the following day’s lunches, sorting out the kids tea to sorting out tea for my husband and I.

Oh and then there's the kid’s supper. It's endless!

"There is always a temptation to pick and graze at these times."

Running around after 3 children which on reflection is hardly moderately sedentary (which is how I recorded my activity level!)

I worked at a local University as an HR Advisor for 10 years and finished this when I was expecting my 3rd child.

After my twins I carried an extra stone around with me which never seemed to shift and I went up a dress size (size 14) which I just accepted happened when you had kids.

I remained in the overweight category for about 7 years in total!

Dieting History

This is the first time I have really been serious about dieting. (lucky me!)

I have been fortunate enough not to have to try loads of diets. When I was looking to lose weight I checked out Slimming World and Weight Watchers and they all seemed very expensive to me.

I also thought about the Cambridge Diet but didn't like on the advert the fact that you just had liquids with the concessions of low cal chewy bars "for those who really must chew!" It just seemed outrageous and unsustainable to me.

I saw WLR when I was trying to check out the calories for an item and liked the look of it, signed up for the trial and off I went!

How being overweight has affected you…

I hated being stared at and feeling judged particularly by those who knew me before I was ever pregnant.

"I refused to buy new clothes following my pregnancy as I really couldn't face buying the next size up so ended up staying in my maternity clothes for a while." 

I really hated my muffin top trousers!

Motivation to Diet

Not to increase to any further dress size

"To be fitter and healthier. I owe it not only to myself but my kids and husband."

To have a lifestyle change - to make it a permanent way of living.

The Best of Weight Loss Resources

Calorie Counter in the Food Diary.

Forums and the challenges.

The Weight and Nutrition reports in Goals & Results.

Why do you think WLR has helped you lose weight where other diets have failed?

It made me totally accountable and responsible for what I was eating - was I sure I wanted to add that Mars bar on to my list of food for the day?!!

Actually weighing the food I ate and checking out the labels to see how calorie laden certain foods are and just looking for the lower calorie alternatives.

"The fact is you can actually have a little of what you fancy just as long as it's in moderation and you have worked for it in the week!"

It's educating not only your mind but your palate too!

I am generally eating much smaller portions now and feel I have adjusted to this and if I am full I don't have anything else.

I think the other battle was taking my mind off food and diverting it to doing something else.

"I learned that if I felt hungry and had not long eaten something I could quite easily distract myself doing something else - making jewellery, gardening - the more physical the better really." 

I would then think to myself a few hours later - "I didn't really need that anyway"

Have you hit any plateaus, and what has kept you motivated?

My first week I found really hard. I went for a  2 pound a week rate of loss which is such a shock to the system when you have had free reign!

I had to work really hard to stick to it. I managed that for a week and then had to up the calories a little to make it sustainable.

I moved to 1 pound a week loss which I personally found more manageable. I wasn't quite so tired or irritable then and probably a good deal nicer to live with!

I found that at certain times of the month I would be far more hungry and be tempted by all my sweet cravings.

I did have a few occasions where I fell off the wagon but it really doesn't matter about the odd occasion like that.

"As long as you dust yourself off and get back on it again and that is where the forums are so helpful."

I made a few supportive friends out there and it's a shared experience we are all familiar with (we're all human!)  and there are always folks on the forums who are willing to encourage you and keep you going.

"My husband, sister and neighbour also joined WLR so I managed to surround myself with folks all doing the same thing." 

It helps so much to be accompanied by people all striving for the same goal.

Lifestyle Changes

I have more energy. I can get up the stairs a lot quicker!

I am fitter in readiness for my 8 month old crawling.

I know I'll have to be quicker on my feet as he is already into everything and my 7 year olds love lego and leave it lying around!

Exercise Changes

Probably not as much as I'd have liked but I have been doing more walking and did take up jogging on the treadmill. I do intend to try to keep this up but to be honest running around after 3 kids keeps me on my toes!

What do you love about your body now?

My profile has changed and I have had several comments about how slim I am looking - it is so worth all those times when you have pushed through the hunger barrier for that!

My legs look so much slimmer too!

Emma's Calorie Counting Tips

Weighing and recording the food you eat is essential to successful weight loss. Be aware that even healthier foods can be calorie laden like dried fruit and some drinks.

Look at the labels to see what calories you are eating or drinking and see if there are any lower calorie alternatives!

"Check out the latest challenges on WLR - it keeps things interesting. I particularly liked the fruit smoothies idea (helping you to get 5 a day)  and my kids loved getting messy in the kitchen with new types of fruit."

Put some music on whilst doing the housework and give yourself a real workout! It's a job that has to be done so it may as well be enjoyed with a bit of your favourite music!

Being on WLR has helped my whole family eat in a much more healthy way as I am far more conscious of the food I am buying.

We also are more active as a family and it's great to just get out together kicking a football or playing cricket with the kids which has the added bonus of helping lose a few more pounds here and there!