Nutritional Support

I spent most of my adult life morbidly obese, avoiding physical activity and finding it almost impossible to buy size 30 clothes. I was lacking in confidence with very low self-esteem. At my worst, I weighed a very uncomfortable 22 stone (140kg)! I struggled to sleep through the night, and I was on my way to being type 2 diabetic. I had tried every diet going and had pretty much resigned myself to being big forever!

So what changed? I found strength training and I loved it! I discovered that I could enjoy a daily 1 hour workout without feeling completely out of breath, gain muscle and burn more calories at rest than I would have otherwise done for the remainder of the day. I was becoming more conscious of what I was eating on days after I exercised. I noticed that when I exercised, my sleep was improved and I was less inclined to eat badly the next day. I required less sugar for energy to stay awake and in fact I felt much more energised to prepare healthier meals. 

I was monitoring my energy expenditure in the gym using a well-known fitness tracker (not wholly accurate I know but a great benchmarking tool) so I knew I was burning approximately 3000 calories per day, enjoying the strength gains fuelled by starchy carbohydrates but becoming frustrated at my lack of fat loss. With a reality check from my personal trainer, I realised I was only bringing one side of the energy equation and there was no point giving it my all in the gym if I did not get my nutrition right. That's when it all changed for me!

I put myself in a healthy calorie deficit, swapping unhealthy foods one at a time for healthier options and started to consistently lose weight at half a pound per day on average. I am not a qualified nutritional expert, I am someone who through my own research and experience identified plans and strategies to lose weight effectively, at a healthy pace and maintain it! 

Today I am 12 stone 11lb (81kg) and between a size 12/14. I exercise most days because I thoroughly enjoy it, I know I will be calorie counting for the rest of my life, to keep myself accountable but that's really ok, it's become a good habit I do without thinking now. I consider myself to be a mindful eater, always conscious of the energy balance - calories in vs. calories out! 

I will never be big again!