With high blood pressure and arthritis affecting her mobility, Angela Watson, 66, felt her weight was putting years on her. Here she tells us how losing weight with LighterLife has improved every aspect of her life…
I’ve struggled with my weight since I was a little girl. I’ve been on diet after diet, and I’d lose weight but always put it back on. I’ve got osteoarthritis in my feet, knees and hips, and my weight was crippling me. At my biggest, I had high blood pressure, my water works were suffering, I felt bloated and tired… I just felt ill. I was at my wits’ end when I saw an advert on the TV for LighterLife. When I heard they offered counselling sessions, it was music to my ears. It was exactly what I needed to get to the root of my unhealthy eating.
I used to hate having my photograph taken!
I hated having to get dressed to go anywhere. I had to wear frumpy clothes, and photographs were my nightmare. I hated them! I didn’t want to see myself in them so I didn’t see the point. I disgusted myself, but I couldn’t help it. I was in that mindset of ‘no one else cares, so why should I?’ When I joined LighterLife and the weight started to come off, I felt amazing. I was losing a stone a month! I went from being afraid of the camera to actually taking photographs every week to see my success.
What I learned on LighterLife…
I discovered that my eating habits were terrible. I’d never have breakfast, and by midday I’d be starving. I’d then snack between meals – I’d go through packs of biscuits a week. The group work was my saviour. I learned that I’d been eating because I was tired or stressed. Now, when I feel that way, I say to myself, ‘I have a choice – do I want to stay slim or get fat again?’ And my answer is always ‘stay slim’, so I stop myself.
Life now
I’m 66 now, so I’m not going to say that I’ve lost weight and taken up rock climbing or skiing, but I will say that it has made my life so much easier, and that I’m a lot happier. I’m so much more outgoing. I no longer need my walking stick, and even though I still have osteoarthritis, being lighter makes getting around a lot easier. I’ve waited all my life to be able to wear lovely clothes. I’ve never felt happier about myself, inside and out. LighterLife has taught me that it’s never too late to make a change.
Angela’s Counsellor, Sam Reay, says…
“Angela has done so well, she’s an example to inspire my groups. She’s done brilliantly, managing her weight for over a year now. She’s learnt about herself, knows her limits and, most importantly, still comes to group every week.”
*Each of our client’s results and stories are unique to them and their experience of LighterLife. Your own results will be personal to you and may vary.
