Grere is our April Calendar Girl
Grere, lost 1 stone 7lbs on our Light Choices diet plan and found the strength she needed to combat depression. Grere's Calendar Charity is The Child Bereavement Charity. The UK's leading charity that supports families and educates professionals both when a child dies, or when a child is bereaved. All proceeds from the calendar will be donated to the charities listed in the calendar.
Grere tells us about the difference losing weight made to her.
Have you lost any inches?
Yes, I lost 5.5 inches off my waist, 2.5 inches off my hips, 1.5 inches off my bust, and I've lost 8% body fat.
How has your life changed for the better in 2010?
In late 2009 I was diagnosed with depression. I think it was post-natal depression that had been going on for 2 years. I had also suffered two significant bereavements in the previous 5 years - my first-born son in November 2004, and my father a year later in December 2005. As a result I had turned to comfort eating which continued through my pregnancy in 2007, and beyond. I felt empty inside - perhaps that's what the food was filling. To top it off, at the end of November 2009 my employers announced a restructure which meant possible redundancy. So I started the year feeling fat, vulnerable and depressed. In January 2010 I had just been to a counselling session and stopped by Tesco on the way home. On the counter was a brochure about Tesco Diets . I signed up and started losing weight straight away. I realised after a few months that I had become almost 'addicted' to food as a way of dealing with stress and anxiety. I ate far too many cakes and 'treat' type foods in an effort to comfort myself. I am now more aware of the way I was using food and am not so inclined to overeat. I have dropped a dress size, and I'm still losing so intend to drop another. Just being slimmer has made me feel so much more positive. I feel a lot more in control - it's funny how being able to control my eating has made me feel less stressed in other areas of my life. We also used to spend a small fortune on food - both at home and by eating out too much. Now I've managed to keep my meals simpler, tastier and cheaper than before .
What steps have you taken to achieve this positive change?
I've started planning my meals out a week ahead, so I can be sure to eat healthily. Before I was so tired and depressed I just picked up something fattening on the way home, or ordered a fast food delivery. After I lost the first significant amount of weight and felt less 'heavy' I took up jogging every second night. This helped boost my metabolism and so I lost more weight. Exercising also helped me to feel more energetic and improve my mood.
Is there something you love doing that has had a major role in this change?
Not really - I love eating. But now I make sure I eat more healthily. I must admit that I am a bit of an internet addict, so I thought that using the Tesco Diets site was a way to put this internet addiction to good use. I was very physically active before I had children, so it felt good to get out and exercise again.
