Before LighterLife, Lisa Craig, 30, would dread buying her outfit for her Christmas party. This year, thanks to losing 4st* with LighterLife, Lisa has hit the shops and can’t wait to show off her slim figure at her Christmas party. She shares her inspiring story…
What are you excited to wear this Christmas?
“Last Christmas was the first Christmas since my weight loss and I wore a mini dress with ostrich feathers for the skirt – I felt a million dollars! This year, for my more casual events, I’m looking forward to wearing leather trousers that I bought from Zara. I also bought a cobalt blue bodycon dress from Gorgeous Couture, which will see me through the Christmas parties. I feel so glam in it! Before LighterLife, I always felt frumpy. Everything was black to try and make me look thinner, with a hint of sparkle to try and jazz it up – but I never felt glamorous.”
When did your weight first become an issue for you?
“Growing up, I was really athletic and played hockey. I ate well and my size wasn’t something I worried about. Then, in my early 20s, I met my husband, John. Like many new couples, we soon fell into the ‘comfort’ zone – eating lots of takeaways and drinking lots of wine. Every time I started to feel uncomfortable with my size, I’d go on a diet. I’d lose a stone or two, feel good about myself, and then before I knew it, the weight would go back on again. I was caught in a vicious circle.”
How did you feel at your biggest?
“I was in complete denial about my size. When I went shopping, I couldn’t believe things wouldn’t fit. So I’d go to Asda and buy something inexpensive to wear – thinking that I’d wait until I’d lost a few pounds before spending more money on clothes. I felt miserable. I didn’t feel like me – I’d dye my hair so that I became a different person. I’d turn down invitations to things and instead I’d end up sitting in alone at weekends, and end up eating and drinking.”
What was your trigger moment for joining LighterLife?
“My husband and I were invited on holiday with some friends. The idea of wearing a bikini in front of them terrified me. I didn’t have time to do anything about my weight before we went away but I vowed to do something when I got back, and before I turned 30. I was fed up having my weight hold me back and change the person I was. The week I got back, I signed up to LighterLife.”
How did you find the group work?
“It was really helpful – I learned so much. I realised that I dealt with ‘bad’ days with food. If I’d had a stressful day, I’d turn to food to cheer me up – snacking during the day on unhealthy treats. Then, when I got home I’d end up having a takeaway and a bottle of wine to cheer myself up. The groups also made me realise that I was lonely. I’d sometimes spend whole weekends on my own if my husband was out with friends – and I’d cheer myself up with food.”
How has your life changed since LighterLife?
“I’ve lost 4st and I’m back to the person I used to be. I’m much more active and I have more drive to do things, like going hill walking, which I wouldn’t have done when I was big. I feel my weight loss has made me more empowered. I’m more confident and don’t need to hide away anymore. I’m back to my sociable, bubbly self. I’m able to go into shops and buy things, and feel happy in my own body. I now take pride in my appearance.”
How will you avoid overeating this Christmas?
“I plan to enjoy Christmas by making sensible food choices. In the build up to Christmas, at work, I’ll limit my intake to a LighterLife porridge for breakfast and soup for lunch, and avoid the treats that will be brought in from the beginning of December. I also plan to do some fitness between festivities. You can’t put a price on the tools and knowledge you gain from LighterLife. If I hadn’t have done the programme, I’d still be in size 20 clothes and I would, without a doubt, binge over Christmas. Instead, I can feel and look fabulous!”
>*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.
