“LighterLife is a lifestyle change”
I’ve spent most of my adult life worrying about my weight, the way I look and my body image. The result? Not wanting to go to social events, not being able to enjoy outdoor pursuits, which I love, and not living my life to the full.
On top of all this, I had a stressful job with a lot of time spent travelling – it might sound exciting, but being away from home so much is a lonely existence, and one that impacted badly on my eating habits and wellbeing.
Everything came to a head last Christmas, when I suddenly realised I couldn’t move easily, my joints hurt – especially my knee – and I was becoming breathless. I had never felt so unfit.
Finding LighterLife
In all honesty, I seem to have been on a diet of some sort since I was 20, doing everything from all the conventional slimming clubs to Calorie counting and a whole load of fad diets. Some were successful in helping me lose weight, but within a short space of time I’d slip back into bad habits, which then spiralled into putting the weight back on, and more. So the more disheartened I became. It felt like a never-ending treadmill of failure.
Then I spotted an advert for LighterLife. I read the profiles of people who’d used the programme, and what attracted me was the focus on wellbeing, rather than Calories, and “why” I was stuck in my overeating and weight-loss/regain cycle, so I thought it was worth a try.
The online approach was something I was initially unsure about, but it did give me the confidence that I could commit to my group even with a busy work schedule that took me away from home.
A simple routine
My first week seemed very simple. It was almost a relief to be on a rigid routine with the TotalFast plan – it’s easy to follow, and it works. I was a little hungry at first, but I went into ketosis very easily, and then I suddenly felt very well and positive – a whole new concept for me!
The Foodpacks tasted lovely. The Porridge FastPot was a great way to start the day, and I also loved the soups, the shakes and the Chicken Noodle FastPot.
My group have become my friends
My group has been my rock and sounding board since day one. I’ve loved learning together and exploring our shared experiences with food, body image and the “why” of why we turned to food. I also love the fact that no one shames you about your weight. Whether you lose or perhaps don’t, there is no shame – just a good conversation to find out why.
We have also spent a lot of time laughing! I found I was starting to look forward to my Tuesday evening online meetings, and the ladies in my group have become a circle of friends I never knew I needed.
Our group WhatsApp chat room is my best group! We are pretty active on it and recently, when one lady was struggling, it was fantastic to be able to offer support when she needed it. The group has brought people into my life who have truly understood some of the issues I’ve been dealing with, with no fear of shaming or negative thoughts.
Understanding my eating behaviour
The group work was enlightening and sometimes very thought-provoking, and for the first time in my adult life, it made me look inward at myself in some detail. I have been both fascinated and horrified by what I’ve found out about myself in the weekly sessions.
Sharon, my Mentor, has been really supportive – I felt I had someone who was supporting me right from the start. She is a good facilitator of the group discussions, and it’s great to have a platform which allows us to share our experiences. Listening to the other group members’ stories allowed me to reflect on my own experiences and work out why I’d never seemed to get into the right frame of mind to make a difference to my eating lifestyle before.
Embracing mindfulness
I’m now in Management and I still really look forward to my weekly sessions. I ensure life fits around them, even while on holiday – my husband knows how important they are, so we made time when we were away for me to continue with them.
Mindfulness has been a new concept for me – I’d never researched it because I suppose I never made the time… Now I’ve embraced it. I use my mindfulness tools when I’m having a “wobble” or a “crooked” thought which, in the past, would have led me straight to the fridge.
Everything’s changed – from my job to my health
Through the group work, I’ve discovered that my job was playing a huge role in my lifestyle and eating and drinking habits – so I now have a new one that’s much closer to home. I would never have taken the plunge to do this before joining LighterLife.
I’ve now got a healthy approach to eating, and since I’ve been in Management, me and my husband cook from scratch together every night, which we both enjoy. The biggest change for me is that I no longer need alcohol for my sugar rush. I never knew how much sparkling water can change you!
One of my biggest wins is the lifestyle I now have. Thanks to my new job, I’m enjoying being part of my community and getting involved in it, rather than working long hours, not going out, eating in secret and possibly drinking too much.
My energy levels are so much higher, too. I can run around after my grandchildren, and I’ll cycle 30k then ask, “Shall we do a bit more?!” – and I no longer fear putting on my cycling leggings. Another fantastic change is that I’ve been able to stop taking medication for acid reflux, and my knee pain has disappeared. My menopause symptoms are now manageable too. I’m fit and enjoying my life.
Loving my all-new wardrobe
I used to avoid looking in the mirror and disliked everything I wore, so much so that I’d avoid going out. Now I’m enjoying my social life, looking smart and feeling confident with what I wear. My clothes, all of which are new, are younger, so I don’t feel frumpy. I no longer have to wear layers to hide my shape – and no more big hold-you-in pants!
When we went out recently, my husband said, “Wow! I’ve never seen you dress like that…a slinky number to celebrate my birthday!” I used to be a size 20+ and I’m now a size 10-12. All my big clothes have gone to the charity shop.
I was dreading last Christmas because of my size. This year, I’ve bought a sparkly dress which I love so much that I’m going to get it in another colour!
Using my “stop” button
Through the work I’ve done with Sharon in the group, I’ve learned that I have a “stop” button I can press when I need to. If I’m feeling hungry, it usually means that I’ve not drunk enough water. I also know I have a lifetime ahead of me being balanced with food, and Sharon and the programme have given me the tools to be able to maintain this for the long term. LighterLife is here for me for life, and knowing that I can still access support in Management is really helping me keep on track.
My advice for your LighterLife journey
I’d wholeheartedly recommend LighterLife. It’s changed everything for me. To get the most out of your own journey, listen to your Mentor, take up the support from your group and stick to your TotalFast plan.
Keep your bag of coping tools close to you and use them. When you think you feel hungry, get up and do something “clean”. Walk, talk… and the thought will go away.
Above everything, remember that this is a lifestyle change. It took me years to get to the point where I had to take action, and I knew it wouldn’t change overnight – so be kind to yourself, be patient, take each day as it comes and value the small wins but aim for the big wins.
