Weight Loss
By August 2017 I knew I needed to do something about my weight. I was feeling uncomfortable in my own skin. I knew I was going to have to go up a dress size and didn’t want to do that. I knew I needed to do something, but I didn’t know what. I felt lost, hopeless.
On returning from my holiday that year I found out that Slimming World were going to be starting classes in my works building and I remember thinking “this is the “what””. I signed up on the first week saying that I just needed to lose weight, no number in mind, just that I had to do something. I have always struggled with my weight and had tried other slimming clubs and diets but after a while the weight crept back on again and especially after having children. This time though I was doing it for me, I was determined this was my last time.
Now, I’m not advocating that Slimming World is the only way or that diets and numbers on scales are what you need to do but for me I knew I needed guidance and accountability to start me moving to a place where I felt happy with my body. I started by aiming to lose 10% of my body weight then when I achieved that I took it 7lb’s at a time and in total I lost just over 3 stone (42lb’s). When I was on this journey, which wasn’t all plain sailing, I made a promise to myself that I wasn’t going back to how I had been. Something clicked that if I went back to eating and drinking the way I had been then I would end up where I started. So I worked on my mindset, changing my ideas of food, alcohol and exercise. I cooked from scratch, tried new dishes, was mindful of what and how much alcohol I was consuming and upped my exercise.
The family had no choice and we all ate the food I prepared. This has now influenced my children with positive attitudes towards food, healthy eating, and cooking. I still like a takeaway and a gin or prosecco but in moderation. I know it can be a slippery slope if I start having things like that more often.
Changing my mindset to how I approached my weight loss and maintaining it was key to success. I celebrated the small wins. Enjoyed buying new clothes but kept some of the old ones to vow that I would never wear them again.
Although changing my mindset was key, it wasn’t easy. Daily I would remind myself of why I was doing it. Making a promise to myself and that I didn’t want to break that promise was the biggest motivator. When you know deep inside that change is needed and you don’t want to go back to the old ways then changing your mindset is the biggest thing you can do. My hubby is awesome as well. That really helps.
