Here
we hear from some of our very own Essex Mums who have done fabulously
over the last year in eating well and getting fit. You can read about
how they managed it below, or ask them questions
if you need help and advice.
SamWeight lost: 6st 10b over 11 months
Weight loss plan: Simply healthy eating and exercise
What
made you decide you needed to lose weight? I've always been a big girl
and have tried to diet in the past. I think this year I realised I
needed to do this not just for myelf but for my son too. After all, I
need to be able to live a long happy life with him and set him good
examples.
What changes did you make to your lifestyle,
short-term and long-term? Changing the way I saw food was a massive
lifestyle change! Exercise also become a big aspect of it all trying to
work out three times a week from home doing exercise DVDs and making
sure I walked everywhere. A good 2.5 mile walk to town always helped!
What exercise did you find most effective? Walking and exercise DVDs. Martine McCutcheon's and Davina McCall's were my faves!
How has your fitness improved? Massively!
What
were the biggest challenges you faced? Cutting down on food portions
and moderation. Im such a foody with a big sweet tooth!
What
advice would you give to someone trying to lose weight? Have everything
in moderation and don't crash diet! Drink plenty of fluid as alot of
times when you feel hungry actually you're thirsty! A pint of cold water
can keep hunger pangs at bay
Favourite healthy recipe? In
summer, funnily enough salad! I loved adding different things to salads
but in winter a good hearty homemade soup is delicious.
Where are
you now? I've come down
from a size 22-24 to 14-16. I'd like to lose another stone and be a full
size 14 or maybe even a 12 top (I've always been slightly smaller up
top) I hope to reach this within a few months of the new year.
Jacqui Weight lost: 6stone 4lb
Weight loss plan: Weight Watchers
What made you decide you needed to lose weight? After having two babies, health risk and the effect it would have on me looking after my girls.
What changes did you make to your lifestyle, short-term and long-term? Long
term - how I cook things: I don't fry anything without my pan liners!
I grill where possible; type of food (no frozen dinners) we have lots
of stirfrys and pasta now; portion control was the main one, I
weigh all my foods like pasta, rice, cereal, into bags every time I
shop,
so I dont have to worry about my portions thoughout the week, and
they dont start getting bigger!
What were the biggest
challenges you faced? Time/energy with two under twos! I needed my
meetings so I had something to focus on and my friends there. Also the cost
of buying healthy foods, we used different supermarkets for different foods.
What
advice would you give to someone trying to lose weight? It's not a race,
take your time, don't make any radical changes and dont go without what
you want just work them into your new rountine, or swap for a lower fat
version. Get support from friends or join a group like Weight Watchers -
you'll make lots of friends in the same boat and get loads of great ideas
to stop you getting bored. Try different foods, and don't eat the same
thing everyday! Everyone puts on weight some weeks so don't get disheartend,
take your measeurements the day you start, so the weeks you put on you
can see your inches dropping down as they will even if the scales
dont show it.
Favourite healthy recipe? Weight Watchers syrup sponge pudding, cooked in the microwave!
Where are you now?
I
have 2 more pounds to lose too get to 9stone 7lb, which I will do after
Christmas and starting the gym. I have never done any exercise whilst
doing Weight Watchers but now I have the confidence to go to a gym, and
the
energy!
Classes
from David Lloyd Sports Centre, Basildon - Mums on the Move!
