After giving up alcohol in 2020 (now 6 years and 3 months alcohol-free!) I still didn’t feel that great. So I decided it was time to sort out my body and my mind.
I’d tried various diets countless times over the years. From fruit diets in high school to other plans when I was older. Nothing worked long term.
Why did I choose LighterLife?
Because I’d managed to lose 32 kg (5 stone) with LighterLife on my own in 2021. BUT… I’d totally dismissed the Mentor element and thought, “that’s not for me,” so I put all the weight back on over the next two years.
So I thought, well, that didn’t work, let’s try again, but this time with the Mentor support. Also because I’d had online mentor support when I gave up alcohol (not through LighterLife), so I thought I’d try it for my weight loss problem too.
And I loved looking through my old LighterLife magazines, finding other people I could relate to.
Mentoring and Mindfulness
My Mentor, Georgina, is AMAZING, I love her, I could listen to her all day long. She’s so knowledgeable, supportive, and understanding. Her daily WhatsApp messages are fabulous, it’s wonderful receiving them and being able to look back for support when needed.
The weekly CBT Mindfulness sessions really made me stop and think. Understanding your feelings is so important, and they covered every element of each topic.
I admit I was quite sceptical at first, but you really have to be open-minded and listen. It was great to be in an environment of like-minded people, challenged by the same issues you have yourself.
Accountability and involving yourself with the groups I was lucky to be part of was fabulous. There were times when it was upsetting but it was uplifting too. The messages and words from everyone were really helpful and kept us all going.
The Mentor support and Group support got me through this time, I really don’t think I’d have been successful on my own, I think I would have given up.
Outside of LighterLife, Gordon (hubby) and Harry (son) are really supportive. Harry loves knowing and guessing my weekly weight loss! And they both help me whenever I’m having a wobble.
Following the plan
I started TotalFast in April 2024 and 6 months later I’d lost 42 kg (6 ½ stone).
The first week is always tricky because you’re adopting a different routine. Day 4 is a hurdle, but you need to get through it. Keep yourself busy, get lots of sleep, take a relaxing bubble bath, and whatever other non-food distractions you need to get you through.
And the journey doesn’t stop there. Since reaching my initial goal, I’ve continued to follow the Management program and I’m still going. With a LighterLife mentality, I’m somewhere I never thought I’d ever be.
What’s changed for me now that I’ve lost my weight?
I’m doing things I want to do, not because I have to, and I’ve now learned the word NO!
I can RUN up the stairs and walk back down without doing the “crab” step. And I’m so much more energetic. Harry even said, “Gosh Mum, where do you get your energy from? You have more than Dad and me put together!” And that was nice.
I’m clearer minded and more positive. I’m not sure if I can say “happy” yet, but I’m certainly getting there.
Going on holiday abroad was NOT a thing for me before — I would avoid it like the plague. The thought of being hot and uncomfortable, feeling like and knowing I was the “big one” round the pool, covering up in a hot country. But not now. Since losing the weight I’ve been to Jersey, Nice in the South of France, Fuerteventura (twice!), and Tenerife. I’ve even done sea dips, something I never ever thought I would do.
On one trip to Nice I actually took my scales and my LighterLife meals with me and lost weight on holiday. That was a result, and so worth any sacrifices, I felt so much more agile and present.
This year we have even more to look forward to: more weekends in Jersey at St Brelades Bay (I’ll be swimming and maybe even trying paddleboarding!), a boat trip from Nice to Monaco, and trips to Mallorca and Fuerteventura. And next year, I’m about to book a Royal Caribbean cruise from Barcelona visiting Pisa, Rome and Capri. I’ve always longed to visit Pompeii, but never had the fitness. Now I feel completely convinced I can get my fitness up to walk in that heat.
I could never ever have dreamed of doing all of this. There is no stopping me now.
Normally we’d just stay at home during Christmas and New Year, but not this time. We went to Windsor for two days, visited Windsor Castle, and walked for miles. Then we had three days in London, staying at the Tower of London Hotel by Tower Bridge. I was so proud that I wasn’t in any pain and could do what I wanted.
In the past I’d found it difficult to walk round Sainsbury’s, let alone imagine walking up and down spiral staircases and the grounds of two large Royal Palaces.
I’ve also been to concerts, Dua Lipa and Kylie, which were so much more comfortable. No stressing about fitting in or feeling self-conscious. I actually felt normal.
And then there’s work. I used to be so quiet and not really speak up. But I now have so much confidence. In a male-orientated workplace, you need to have confidence. I am now noticed. I now have a voice. I am now taken more seriously. I feel so much more eager, alert, present, proactive, professional, and productive.
As for my clothes, wow. I was pushing a size 24–26 when I started, and now I’m fitting into a size 14. I’ve always wanted a pair of Levi’s jeans, and I’ve already had one pair and now I’ve gone down another size. What a problem to have! My Hobbs favourites that were a 16 are now too big, and I’m happily restocking in a 14. And I’m no longer holding onto my bigger clothes, they’re going. That’s a massive result, because I’ve always held onto them in the past, knowing I’d need them again. But not now.
What have I learned?
I’ve learned the importance of stopping to listen and really understand your feelings, and being present in the moment.
I’ve learned to use my LighterLife literature to get back on track whenever I need it, and that having a wobble is part of the journey, not the end of it. If you put on a few pounds, you get back on plan again.
And remembering we’re all human. Don’t let your feelings and emotions take over. You deserve your best life.
What I’d say to anyone thinking about starting LighterLife.
Trust the programme, it WILL work. Sign up for your free Mentor support. And be open-minded, give it a try.
It sounds like a cliché, but honestly, LighterLife has changed my life beyond recognition.
