2022 Update:
Lost a whopping 17.97% of her body weight & 12.8kgs
I’d always maintained a fairly steady weight for most of my adult life until suddenly in my 40s the kilos started to creep on. I tried lots of different diets and exercise regimes, but nothing really worked. One day I got on the scales and found that I was 10kgs over where I wanted to be. I remember standing in front of the wardrobe and realising that I had nothing that fitted me properly and that I didn’t feel good in any of my clothes. That was my tipping point. I decided I needed help to do something about it.
Initially I was reluctant to commit to a full 12 months on the program because I didn’t trust myself to stick with it – and here I am 2 years later still going to Healthies 3 times a week and loving it – and I’ve maintained my desired weight. I got my waist back and dropped a dress size. I was very excited to fit into a new pair of skinny, size 10 jeans – and I looked good! I always have a body composition every month and my muscle mass has increased.
As a result of following the program I almost straight away started to feel better. Within 2 weeks of beginning the program I was sleeping better (a miracle as I’d struggled with sleep for years), I had more energy and just felt happier.
I think the number one reason that this program has worked for me is the amazing support from the team and the weekly check-ins (knowing I have to get on the scales regularly has kept me on track). The help the coaches gave me in changing my thinking around food was crucial to my success. They are very knowledgeable and gave me great options and “real world” advice. I found the recipes and food ideas workable with a family – all easily sourced and made. For someone who struggled with “what will we have for dinner tonight” access to all the recipes and meal ideas has been brilliant. Establishing a “buffer” for my weight has also been very important. Now that I have achieved my goal weight the buffer stops the weight from creeping back up (I know that if I’m close to or slightly over my buffer I can bring it back within range quickly) but equally importantly it gives me permission to be happy with where I am within that range.
There has been lots of other benefits to the program. I am now more organised with my weekly food shop. I’d never done a weekly meal plan, but I do now, and it’s been a revelation with less shopping and less stress. I’m in better shape now than I have been for 20 years which is an amazing feeling and have loads more energy to get out and enjoy my life. Overall, I am happier and calmer and much more able to cope with the ups and downs of life.
For those looking at getting started I would say, if you are determined and stick to it this program will work. And it’s not difficult, it’s real food (I was never hungry) and you will feel so much better. The centre is a welcoming and a happy place, the camaraderie with the other ladies is a big part of what makes Healthies so special. Go in and talk to one of the coaches – it will change your life for the better.
My 3 top tips are:
- Preparation – food preparation and meal planning were crucial to my success.
- Try to be mindful of how you are feeling, some weeks the weight won’t always do what you expect it to but if you think about how well you are sleeping, how much more energy you have, or how good your skin looks with the extra water you’re drinking it will help you stay motivated.
- Be determined and disciplined. Try to make yourself a priority.