A shapeless size 18 to a size 12 in skinny jeans!
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Laura McLoughlin
When 38 year old Andrea attended her husbands work do at size 18 she felt heavy, uncomfortable and lacked the confidence to be the vibrant woman she really was. Her weight had started to get out of control and she was stuck in a rut reaching almost 14 stone 7lbs. While in work one weekend she saw an advertisement for our online weight loss company and decided she had to take action. She joined up with us in January 2008 and began her weight loss journey in earnest.
Andrea followed our Totals plan for most of her time with us. The pies, sausage rolls and pasties she had allowed herself too much of became a rare treat while her every day meals were smaller portions and packed with veg and healthy foods. “I just try to be sensible and then a bit more lenient at the weekends”.
Initially Andrea didn’t do any exercise but in March she decided to have a go at the treadmill and has been doing 5k five times a week. This has really helped her weight loss and motivation and has even taken to doing hoola hoops on the the wii fit!!!
Now over a year later Andrea has reached 11 stone 6lbs and has a healthy BMI of 22. With her new size 12 figure she attended her husband's work do this year brimming with energy and new found confidence.
“My proudest moment was buying a dress for my husbands work do. The last time we went my dress size was 18, this time it was a size 12 and I loved the dress to bits and had a brilliant time dancing all night with new found confidence.”
Now a fitter, more confident Andrea even wears skinny jeans and shorts on hols…..say no more! “It is the lightest I have been since I was about 18!”
In the words of Andrea’s 5 year old daughter “Mummy looks lovely now, you haven’t got a fat belly any more!” She loves the fact that her Mummy is slimmer now and has even mistaken a before weight loss photo of Andrea as her being pregnant! “Wow! This is when you had me in your tummy, that’s why you had a big belly”. Andrea can look back and laugh “Sadly that wasn’t the reason, unless having a food baby counts!”
Andrea’s family and friends have been very supportive during her weight loss journey and are now extremely complimentary and proud towards her weight loss. Her Mum is delighted with how Andrea looks now and said to her Dad on Christmas day “Oh Dave, she’s wearing a size 10 top, bless her, she’s done so well!”
Andrea has also found support on the support boards of our site. “The girls on the message boards are extremely supportive, they give each other a boost when needed, understand how one another feels and have a really good laugh.”
Not only has she found diet buddies but Andrea has also developed close friendships with other women on the boards. “I think the girls would agree with me that a lot of us have actually struck up quite close friendships and are there for each other on a personal level now if we need to talk as well as supporting each other with the weight loss ”.
Andrea is determined to keep up her running and will not let her portion sizes get out of control. “If I have a naughty week and see my weight creeping up I tighten the reins and am absolutely determined not to get back up to 12 stone at all”.
She has made a pact with herself to keep the weighing scales within the 11 stone bracket because she feels if she doesn’t then she may find herself saying “oh well its only 12 stone 1lb, its only 12 stone 2lbs”….and before you know it its nearing 13 stone!!
So with a BMI of 22, wearing her skinny jeans and size 10 top Andrea has a few final words of motivation for anybody struggling with their weight………
“Don’t give up, the diet plans do work, the recipes are tasty and the message boards provide the best support. Drink plenty of water and if you are home and feeling hungry and have used up your daily allowance go and brush your teeth because the taste will put you off eating……works for me!!”
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