What motivated you to lose weight?
My third baby was 11 months old when I started The 1:1 Diet. It had been a really emotional first year as she’d suffered colic and had then had a seizure at home which led to her being in hospital for a while. I’d decided not to go back to work after maternity leave and I just felt very ‘lost’ and unhappy. I needed to do something really positive just for myself; so decided to try to lose weight as I’d been more and more self-critical as time went on and the ‘baby weight’ hadn’t shifted. I knew it would be good for me physically and also mentally. I first heard about the diet when my mum tried it and lost four stones, spurring her on to become a Consultant, so I was her first client.
What were your thoughts about going on Plan?
I was nervous to tell people about what diet I was doing as I felt it had some stigma as being ‘just shakes’. But I found the opposite and started talking about it on my YouTube and everyone saw how happy it was making me to take control over my eating and weight, and they cheered me on. I shared my weigh-in every Saturday and people started the Plan alongside me, which really motivated me.
You’re a Vlogger. What did your audience think about your diet?
Everyone noticed my weight right away! I first spoke about The 1:1 Diet when I’d lost a stone in three weeks and had so many lovely comments and texts from friends asking me to get them started. So many women relate to how it feels when you don’t recognise your body after having a baby, how the loneliness of motherhood can lead to overeating and how your weight can affect your mental health. They’ve come on the journey with me and cheered me on seeing how much happier and in control I am as I shared each milestone loss, reaching four stone overall. I hope the biggest message they take away is to remember that your own happiness is important. And if your weight is making you unhappy; that means it’s also important.
You’re a massive supporter of The 1:1 Diet. How often do you get contacted about it?
This week I’ve had more than 70 online messages, as well as three people in my everyday life who have recently started the diet after seeing my results. It’s crazy as I never in my wildest dreams imagined I’d be someone else’s weight-loss inspiration. It makes me really happy that I shared my weight-loss journey, even though I still get a little awkward talking about my weight.
Was it easy to adjust the Plan to your lifestyle?
With three kids we have a really busy routine, so it totally fitted in. Breakfast was quick and simple, I took a bar with me to playgroups, had pasta after the school pick-up, and my evening meal with my husband, who was more than happy to make his own meals. I really enjoyed the positive ‘swaps’ from a few biscuits at playgroup to a diet bar. Also, stopping bad eating habits like grazing all day on the kid’s food then over-eating once they were in bed as I finally got time to myself. It felt great to be in control of food and eating.
How important did you feel the one-to-one support was?
Really important; particularly that first week as I was forming new habits and had so many questions! Also, having someone to talk endlessly about your weight to when those closest to you aren’t really as enthusiastic about the topic.
Do you have any tips on how to stay focused whilst on Plan?
Don’t focus only on the scales/inches – focus on working towards a happier you. It’s so motivating to say to yourself ‘I deserve this and I can achieve it’. Often it’s the voices in our own minds saying ‘does it really matter if I eat this bag of crisps?’ and I turned that into saying ‘does my happiness really matter?’ Once I had that mind shift I never faltered.
Do you have any tips on maintaining weight loss?
I’ve maintained for nearly a year now, I’ve made the scales my friend and find hopping on every morning keeps me motivated. I also look forward to every swimming trip and shopping trip makes me so happy.
What would you say to anyone thinking of starting The 1:1 Diet by Cambridge Weight Plan?
The only hard thing about this diet is starting. Once you’ve made that first meeting and got your products it’s amazing as the results happen so quickly. The #One2OneDietChallenge is also really motivating so plan this as a huge treat to yourself, not a denial, and you’ll never look back.
Check out more weight loss success stories like SJ’s. To create your own success story contact a Consultant today!