Wendy loses the baby weight!
Catherine Matthews After the birth of her fourth child a few years ago, Wendy realised her family was not the only area of her life that was experiencing an expansion! The weight she gained during her most recent pregnancies were proving very difficult to shift.
“I put on weight during my first two pregnancies but found I lost the extra weight without trying. The last two children were born close together in my late thirties and early forties. This time was a different story and the weight would not shift.”
Wendy had never tried any kind of diet before. She had always been slim without having to count calories or obsess about her weight. She was understandably frustrated when the control she had over her waistline gradually began to diminish. Wendy decided to take a pro-active step in regaining her slim physique and registered with our online healthy eating plan. “I have never had to diet. I was fed up with being overweight when I had always been slim before.”
When she registered with us, Wendy weighed 10 stone 6 lbs, and had a BMI of 29. After only 5 months of following the weight loss plan, she has lost a fantastic 2 stone 3 lbs giving her a healthy BMI of 23 and a new trim size 12 figure.
Not only has she achieved amazing success on this diet but her adoring husband has also managed to shed a stone by eating similar foods to her. He has been a real support through “thick and thin” for Wendy.
Losing weight has made a huge difference to Wendy’s confidence. Before she hid her frame away in baggy and dull clothes, she felt embarrassed to be seen in public and lost all interest in her appearance. “I wasn’t able to buy the clothes I liked. I edged towards the baggy, colourless end of the market. I felt fat and frumpy and didn’t like to think that my husband would be embarrassed to be seen out with me.”
Now Wendy enthuses she is looking forward to her first big shopping spree since regaining her figure. “I feel happier in myself and I am looking forward to a major shopping spree. I enjoy wearing the more fitted clothes that are fashionable now, whereas before they just emphasised the fat. It has been great getting old favourites back out of the wardrobe and being able to fit into them. The best thing about losing weight was being able to fit into and old pair of jeans – a real landmark.”
Wendy really got to grips with the flexibility of the plans, making sure meals were tailored to suit her specific needs and likes. Plans fitted into her lifestyle, she realised the trick of successful weight loss was not to deny herself. “I could adjust the plan to fit into my lifestyle. I have learned how to change old favourites into more healthy versions. I liked being able to have a couple of glasses of wine at the weekend and it was great to have the convenience options on the plan if I didn’t feel like cooking.”
Before starting the plan Wendy felt her diet was fine, now she realises that the small changes the plan incorporated to her usual eating pattern made all the difference to her. “My diet wasn’t too bad, but I have made changes to more healthy options for example swapping butter for low fat olive spread and choosing skimmed milk. Also I eat a lot more fruit and vegetables than I used to. And I have learned to change old favourites such as chilli and bolognese sauces into healthier versions.”
The reaction Wendy received from colleagues after the school holiday was immensely encouraging. The surprise on peoples faces when they see the ‘new’ Wendy gave her the motivation to stick with the diet and maintain her weight. “Work colleagues really noticed my weight loss when I returned after the six week summer break. They were both positive and flattering. I can’t wait to see my family whom live up North; they are really going to notice the difference.”
Wendy has a really optimistic outlook on life and realises that failure only occurs when you give up trying. “Eating the wrong foods one day does not mean failure and end of your diet. Just keep thinking tomorrow is the first day of the rest of your life!”
