How much weight I lost
Was - 12 Stones = 168 Pounds
Now - 8.7 Stones = 121.8 Pounds
total - 46.2 pounds lost.
Size 16/8 to size 8/10
What motivated me to lose weight
At first I realized I was gaining weight fast but I submissively told myself I didn't care (even though it was a major issue) and continued to comfort eat. I started gaining weight around age 15, I use to swim 6/7 days a week, when that stopped the weight just piled on. At this age everyone was going to parties and wearing nice clothes e.g. short dresses. I realized I wasn't as slim as my friends and wanted to do something about it. My mother would tell me I couldn't wear the clothes I desired because it didn't do anything for me, this inspired me to get into a nice dress and feel comfortable for once, not fat.
How I lost weight
At first I didn't really try hard to lose the weight, I didn't have a strict mentality of what I wanted to achieve just to hopefully lose it. Yet, in the first three weeks I kept my daily routine and diet the same yet I traded all drinks, especially fizzy for water. I drank at least two litres a day, I soon noticed results. Surprisingly I lost one stone in 3 weeks by just drinking water with the same diet. Remembering that my diet consisted of a lot of fast food, sweets and bread. I don't believe cutting out the foods you really enjoy will help you lose weight, it's all about moderation. It's hard at first but you'll soon adapt to a new way of thinking.
As the first stone went this made me more determined to reach a weight where I could look good in a dress. I started cutting out fast food, slowly; soon having it once a month as a treat. I removed sweets from my diet and still remained having no fizzy drinks. I can't lie; I did sometimes treat myself if I know I've had a low calorie intake. As my weight began to fall off my diet changed more and more and became healthier, something like this -
Breakfast (vary from day to day) - 200/300 calories
-Slice of brown toast with jam and a piece of fruit.
-Low calorie yoghurt and a handful of grapes.
-Mixture of fruit.
(I'd always have a cup of tea and small glass of orange juice)
Snack mid morning - 100 calories
- 2 x Cracker with Philadelphia cheese.
- Banana / orange / grapes or any desired fruit less than 100 calories.
- Cereal bar.
Lunch - (Vary your food, keep below 200/300 calories)
- Sandwich, brown low calorie bread. Any filling, not too much. With fruit and a small treat. E.g., 2 squares of chocolate or small scone with jam.
Tea - (300/400 calories)
-Rice with vegetables with small piece of meat.
I believe you should be allowed everything in your diet you wish, all in small amounts. Some days I'd have a larger breakfast and miss my snack or a larger lunch and miss my tea. Then having a bowl of fruit at night. I began going to the gym around 3/4 times a week, even if I could only fit a small work out in. On the days off I'd go for a light run. I wake up 10 minutes earlier every morning, have a pint of water and do 200 sit ups. I still have fast food although I'd only order a medium fries and a bottle of water, rather than a large meal with coke. I go out, treat myself to a glass of coke then I'm back on the water. It doesn't happen over night, it takes months. It's hard but you have stay on track
Tips and Tricks
- Don't rush straight into a 'diet'- think of it more as a new life and way of living. Keep everything to moderation and enjoy the things you like. Just make special accounts for other food if you want a sneaky chocolate bar.
- Hit the gym at least 3/4 times a week for a good work out, other nights have a nice run around the park.
- Drink at least 2L of water a day.
- Keep a rough count of calorie intake. You can vary for calorie shifts.
- Don't listen to people when they say you're working too hard, have your own goals and stick to them.
