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19kg weight loss with LighterLife – Debbie’s story

Debbie lost 3 stone in 3 months
 

I didn’t recognise the woman in the mirror

There was a time when I could hardly bear to look at my reflection. My knees and back were constantly aching, I suffered from chronic acid reflux, and I had a wardrobe full of lovely clothes I couldn’t wear. The embarrassment of it all chipped away at my social life and my confidence. My wedding was just a year away, yet the thought of choosing my dress was making me miserable rather than excited.

Choosing a programme that really works

I’ve been dieting on and off since I was 19. I’ve tried all the usual slimming clubs and standard diets, and I’ve even dabbled in some of the more ridiculous ones – including one that promised 18lb off in four days by having just celery and prune juice. And every time I lost weight, I quickly put it back on.

I’d done LighterLife before in 2010 and lost three stone, so I already knew it worked. But I’d made the mistake of not completing the weight-management programme so, over time, my results unravelled. This time, I was determined to do it properly. What drew me back was the amazing support it offers for both weight loss and managing your weight in the long term, and the chance it gives you to delve deep into why you’ve been overeating. No other programme offers that combination – and it’s exactly what I needed.

Getting started

In the first couple of days, I felt a bit hungry and headachy, but I soon got into the swing of just having Foodpacks, and fell in love with my Chai Lattes and daily Salted Caramel Bar – it’s chewy and substantial, and tastes nothing like a “diet” product!

My fiancé, family and friends have all been very supportive, but what truly made a difference was the support from my Mentor, Yvonne. She’s very open about her own LighterLife journey and how she deals with her challenges, which has made the whole process very relatable.

Surprising discoveries

The weekly group Zoom sessions were great. Sharing our experiences encouraged me to be more open about myself – and more honest with myself. For instance, I’d never before admitted (even to myself) that I was a secret eater. Yet every time I went to the shops, I used to “treat” myself to something to eat – but secretly, in the car, because I was so embarrassed about my behaviour when I was always complaining about my weight.

Another thing I discovered was that I’d been avoiding social events. I didn’t want to meet people I hadn’t seen in a long time because I was worried about what they might think about my weight. I’ve realised that those thoughts are on me, not on them – looking after my health for me, not anyone is, is what counts.

Everything is better

Since losing weight, my reflux has completely disappeared, my knee and back pain have eased right off, and my energy is through the roof. I’ve always enjoyed walking, but now I can go so much further and faster without getting puffed out. I’ve even started yoga again – it was such hard work when I was overweight, but now it’s calm and relaxing, and I’m really enjoying it.

I used to hide in black or baggy clothes, but now I’m back in lighter, brighter colours – and being able to wear all the lovely outfits in my wardrobe is like getting a new one for free. The day I zipped up a pair of knee-high boots that I hadn’t been able to get into for ages felt like winning the lottery. And ordering my beautiful wedding dress was a really big moment. Just a few months earlier, I was dreading even trying one on. Now I’m looking forward to my first fitting!

The mindset changes make everything stick

The group CBT and mindfulness work has helped me see that I used to react to every situation by turning to food, but now I’ve learnt to take a breath and think about what I’m doing, why I’m doing it, and if I really need or want to do it. The biggest revelation came in a session where we plotted a timeline of when we’d gained weight against what was going on emotionally. Seeing the connections in black and white was so powerful, and unforgettable.

You deserve to feel this good too!

If you’re thinking about joining LighterLife, do it – for you. It’s about being kind to yourself. You deserve to feel good, be healthy and enjoy your life like I am now.

There is always help and support from your Mentor and the LighterLife team, no matter where you are on your journey. It’s also really important to keep reminding yourself why you want to lose weight, and to take part in every group session – because your Mentor and group will become the best friends you didn’t know you needed.

 

 

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