Fiona
How I lost over 3 stone while still eating chocolate ‘Freddo’ frogs every night’!
Illness had left me overweight and unfit, and for a while I tried to convince myself that I was content to stay that way. However, a difficult bike ride through Sherwood Forest during the autumn of 2013 left me feeling embarrassed and facing the reality of my weight gain. I wasn’t happy, I couldn’t do the things I used to do and I needed to make some changes. I started to attend Kate’s ‘Legs, Bums and Tums’ class at the beginning of 2014, but I knew I needed to build more activity into my week, so I approached her about personal training sessions. I was a bit nervous about it if I’m honest, but I shared my story with her, and my weight loss goals.
We talked about my own particular issues around food and exercise and the great thing was Kate listened!
Together we came up with a plan that suited me (which included a nightly chocolate ‘Freddo’ frog that I made clear I wasn’t prepared to give up) and I think because I was so involved in that part of the process I was happier to carry it out because it was about me and my lifestyle.
Kate was great. She was motivating, informative and encouraging. I couldn’t have done it without her support.
7 months later I am 3 stone 6 pounds lighter and I feel amazing. I am so chuffed at what I have achieved. Losing weight has brought a real freedom to my life. I can wear the clothes I want to, play sport competitively again and just move around so much more easily.
Best of all though, I went back to Sherwood Forest and did the embarrassing bike ride again, but this time I felt strong and fit and no-one had to stop and wait for me!
What worked for me
1. I was honest with myself about how I really felt about my weight and level of fitness.
2. I made losing weight a priority, and I dedicated time to it even though I’m a busy Mum with 2 children. My health and well-being became a project. I knew that if I made a half-hearted attempt at it, I would soon lose motivation.
3. With Kate’s help, I made a plan that fitted my personality and lifestyle. So for me that meant no calorie counting, weighing food or exercising outside! Kate taught me to visualise portion sizes, to gradually increase my exercise and she didn’t nag me to attend Bootcamp outside in the park!
4. I set myself goals. Some were short term, some longer term. The final one was to go back to the embarrassing bike ride.
5. I stopped thinking I had to conjure up this magic thing called ‘willpower’ to succeed and started to think more smartly. I kept making small improvements to what I ate and how much I moved and my body responded.
6. I started and kept going. I didn’t criticise myself if I didn’t meet a goal, I stopped thinking I had to have perfect food and exercise days and I stopped labelling food as good or bad. I just thought of it as my journey.
What a fabulous honest insight into how with motivation, determination honestly and making it a priority allowed Fiona to make choices and achieve her goals.
