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My confidence has skyrocketed and I’m loving the fact that my husband and I can plan more activities together.

When I went to my little brother’s wedding in South Africa last December, getting a dress was a nightmare. And I hated the wedding photos, I think I look terrible! But most importantly, I needed to lose weight for my health.

I have no cartilage in my knees and my excess weight was putting such a strain on them that some days I couldn’t even walk due to the pain and inflammation. My surgeon told me I needed knee replacements, and the waiting list was very long. I was only 52, and I was becoming disabled due to my weight.

My surgeon told me losing weight would help with the pain and then, possibly, I wouldn’t need knee replacements for several years. My target was to get from just over 17 stone down to 11 or 10 stone.

Why did I choose LighterLife?

I’ve tried other diets in the past but the whole counting and sins just didn’t work for me. I hated the classes (and the shaming that went with them), and although I’d start with good intentions, I never kept it up. I felt my whole life was ruled by thinking about and planning food, and I hated it.

My mum dieted for most of her adult life, and I saw her struggles. We’d try diets together, but she never got on top of it, and I know she’d want me to be as healthy and fit as I can be. She died 15 years ago of pancreatic cancer, which can be linked to diet, so that was another incentive.

I chose LighterLife for a number of reasons, including having successfully lost weight on the programme 15 years ago – although menopause and an injury meant I stopped exercising, and my weight piled back on.

My ADHD means I can be very focused when I want to be, and the ease of not having to calorie count, or even think about what to cook and eat, really suited my brain! And I also knew how helpful the CBT Mindfulness sessions are, if/when I need them.

Mentoring and Mindfulness

Even though I’d been through all the LighterLife CBT before, I’d slipped back into bad habits, and menopause was really kicking my butt! So, I dug out my old books and had a good read through. I also talked with my Mentor, Zoe, about the issues I have, and I’ve learned new things from each session.

I know I eat when I’m bored, or as a reward, but I’m learning to reframe that and have a list of treats and rewards that aren’t food based. My husband knows this too and when I’m having a bad day he’ll ask if I want a ‘treat’ and get me a little present (Lego!).

Losing weight is one thing, but the CBT sessions and the support from Zoe and her WhatsApp group are helping me to rethink my relationship with food and work out why I overeat (my ADHD plays a part in that too).

I don’t attend her sessions every week due to work and other commitments but knowing Zoe and her group have got my back really helps – and I can honestly say the WhatsApp group is fantastic!

After the initial scepticism my friends and husband have seen how much happier and healthier I am. My husband was especially dubious (I’d done LighterLife a long time before I met him) but he saw the positive effects as soon as he got home from that work trip.

They’ve been curious and I’ve been totally open and happy to explain the process and how the Foodpacks work for me. I haven’t told my wider family and friends, but when I see people, their comments are lovely and just reaffirm that I’m doing the right thing.

Following the plan

I started TotalFast on 4th March 2024 and I’ve lost 6 stone. I’m now moving onto the Management programme to learn how to keep the weight off.

After losing 7 lbs in my first week I felt fantastic! The first three days were the hardest (but I knew this from last time, so I was prepared for it). But I wasn’t hungry, and since then I’ve been bursting with energy.

Seeing the results really helps me. The loss in the first week proves it works and although the loss then slows down a little, you can still see week on week results – and that helps me keep motivated and on plan.

I chose to start whilst my husband was out of the country for work for two weeks, and I was on my own. This meant there was no food in the house, no cooking smells, and no seeing someone else eating – it made things much easier, especially with my favourite Chai Lattes and Blueberry Pancakes on repeat order.

What’s changed for me now that I’ve lost my weight?

My confidence has skyrocketed and I’m loving the fact that my husband and I can plan more activities together. We have two granddaughters, and I’m now able to run around after the 3 year old – this is a complete joy to me.

I saw the knee surgeon a few weeks ago and he’s signed me off the list. Although, obviously, I still have no cartilage in my knees, I now have no knee pain either, so won’t need a replacement anytime soon!

I can’t go back to the sport I love (roller derby) as my knees aren’t strong enough, but I’m exploring other sports I had to give up years ago – kayaking and horse riding are top of the list. I also enjoy outdoor swimming – and I’m no longer wanting to hide in a robe the whole time once I get out of the water.

I buy all my clothes second hand (mainly from charity shops), so it’s been really fun shopping for a whole new wardrobe – although I did have some favourite items in a suitcase in the attic that now fit again!

I’ve gone from a size 22 to a size 14 – it’s wonderful being able to go into shops and find clothes I like and want to wear instead of just buying things because they fitted.

I’m less worried about standing out in the crowd now – my wardrobe is much brighter, there’s a lot more orange (which has become a favourite) and patterns.

I buy and sell vintage homewares at fairs, and for the first time I’m able to actually buy vintage clothing too – and it fits!

What have I learned?

For me I’ve learned that I’ve ‘got this’ – and knowing that Zoe and her WhatsApp group are there for me if I’m struggling helps me to know that I can keep the weight off.

What I’d say to anyone thinking about starting LighterLife.

First tip – DRINK MORE WATER (although I don’t like water, so the Fruits of the Forest flavouring has been invaluable).

Second tip – the first three days are HARD, but after that it does get easier, and you’ll start to see results.

Final tip – trust the process, if you stick to plan this WORKS – I’m proof of that, and so are 100s of others – you just have to trust the process.