From BMI 30 to 24 in just 12 weeks!
Over the years, I have done many diets – everything from cabbage soup and juicing to going low-carb, fat-free and slimming clubs. On my passport, under ‘occupation’, I could declare myself as a ‘professional dieter’…
My main reason for wanting to lose weight was to improve my health – I am nearly 80 and had a BMI of 30, which I was quite concerned about. I’d heard about LighterLife from a friend and, at first, I was a bit sceptical – it sounded like a food fad.
But once I did my own research into the programme, I was impressed. I liked the fact that all your daily nutritional requirements were met with just four Foodpacks a day and no Calories to count – all the hard work has been done for you. I had nothing to lose… actually, I had 2½ stone to lose!
No more constant snacking
I don’t do social media, and I chose to tell only a couple of friends that I was even doing LighterLife. I wanted to avoid any negative comments and just quietly get on with it. I must admit that I was hungry for the first two weeks on TotalFast to the point of eyeing the cat’s bowl with envy! But I was assured by my Mentor, Anne Marie, and the ladies in my group that this would pass – and it did.
The hunger aspect is interesting as I came to realise that it wasn’t a case of feeling hungry but rather not feeling full for 12 hours a day because of constant snacking. I then began to look forward to my three meals a day, even though they were just Foodpacks, and I began to eat more slowly.
The steady weight loss is what motivated me each week. LighterLife is the first programme I’ve followed where I’ve lost weight every week. I found myself looking forward to Mondays when I could send my “scales” photo to my Mentor to show my progress.
My favourite Foodpacks
One of my favourites is the Blueberry Pancakes – now I’m in Management, I enjoy them with a dollop of Greek yoghurt and a handful of fresh blueberries and raspberries.
If I’ve had lunch out, I’ll often have the Spicy Sweet Potato and Carrot soup in the evening to keep me on track. Occasionally, I make the Garlic Flatbread and top it with the Spaghetti Bolognese, which is more substantial if I’ve had to miss lunch for some reason.
Recognising your relationship with food
Helping you to recognise your own personal relationship with food, and then learning to deal with it, is one of the cornerstones of the programme – and this is different for each of us.
Soul-searching is often difficult but I think it’s the key to making the programme work for you and in understanding that you are making a lifestyle change. Being on TotalFast is not a 12-week interruption to your normal eating pattern.
“Think about your thinking”
My Mentor, Anne Marie, is brilliant and so positive. She encourages us to focus on what we have achieved rather than the journey still ahead.
I found the discussions in the weekly group really useful – someone always contributes a different point of view or shares a similar problem. Although there is always a themed topic to “nibble” around, it’s more like having an informal chat with girlfriends than a heavy discussion. I will probably have “think about your thinking” engraved on my gravestone!
Most importantly, I’ve learned about portion control, stopping when I’ve had enough and realising that eating everything on my plate is not compulsory – I blame my mother for that one. And I now accept that I, and I alone, am responsible for what I eat.
Better energy, better sleep
Since losing weight with LighterLife, I can stand for longer, and I’m moving more quickly and more assuredly because I don’t feel sluggish anymore. I’m nearly 80, so it’s important that I can continue doing what I’ve always done, but now I’m doing it better, for longer or more quickly – I can’t ask for more than that.
I’m sleeping so much better. In fact, my nighttime sleep has increased by 50%. I try to get in a short walk each day, and if I’m not able to go, I really miss it – I never thought I’d ever be saying that! I also attend a weekly Pilates class – I now have more energy since I can’t remember when!
No more tunic tops!
Losing weight has had far-reaching benefits, apart from the obvious improvements to my health. I’ve lost three to four inches off all my measurements, and the thrill of buying clothes that are two to three sizes smaller is pure joy, as is not having a wardrobe consisting mainly of tunic tops. I never want to wear another tunic top again!
Without a doubt, my new wardrobe is now far more stylish. I am now able to wear clothes that actually suit me and reflect my new shape. Previously, my wardrobe consisted of things I didn’t necessarily like but were all that fitted me at the time. I have a friend who is a fashion advisor, and she has been very helpful in getting me on-trend.
A lifestyle change – not a quick fix
As with any weight-loss programme, you have to look beyond getting to your goal weight. It’s not just about becoming slimmer – it’s about living a healthier lifestyle and all the benefits that brings. All the tools are provided to help you follow the programme and to make the transition to managing your new weight.
LighterLife is a change in lifestyle, not a quick fix. So I would say to anyone to stop thinking about it and just do it. Let’s face it – 12 weeks on TotalFast is a very tiny part of the rest of your life.
