Age: 38
Height: 161 cm (5' 3")
Start Weight: 87 kg (13st 10lb)
Current Weight: 72 kg (11st 4lb)
Goal Weight: 65 kg (10st 3lb)
Weight Lost: 15 kg (2st 6lb)
Working to Rate of Loss: 0.5 kg (1lb) per week
Weight Loss History
I once joined the Rosemary Conley slimming club and enjoyed
the aerobic sessions bit; did not loose much weight at all
because I did not count the calories or follow their advice!
Have you lost weight before
and regained the weight?
Not really. I remember even as a teenager having problems and
was prescribed tablets to stop me eating too much. But once I
was in England, had got married and suddenly was a step mum to a
4yr old girl, the weight just slowly and steadily was going up
and up.
How being overweight has affected you…
My weight has stopped me doing many things because I was so
aware of it. Stopped me wearing skirts because my thighs rub
together and get quickly sore. Still got a bit of a phobia about
public changing rooms so still not going swimming. Only go to
the gym in the evenings when I can first change at home and then
go home afterwards to have a nice bath.
Also any time I needed to see the GP any illness or problem
was always somehow traced back/blamed on being obese. Had to
have 2 operations within one year of each other on my left knee
where I was also told it was mainly due to being obese. Don’t
you just hate that word??
Motivation to Lose Weight
In October/November 2003 my Dad had a heart attack and
subsequent 5 bypasses. He was a heavy smoker who gave up smoking
3yrs previously after an aorta operation. Like me he suffers
from high blood pressure and was otherwise totally healthy. That
shocked me a lot and started me thinking about my fitness and
health and how quickly and without warning things can change.
Discovering Weight Loss Resources
Was surfing the web about weight loss and checked out WLR. It
looked very interesting and easy to use so I signed up and have
not looked back since.
How Weight Loss Resources Helps
It was very educational to enter the food I ate into the
diary and how see how quickly the calories added up. Shocking
really! But then you weigh certain foods, e.g. cereal and I
found that my average portion was nearly 3 times the recommended
portion! I still find it hard to reach the 5 portions of fruit
and vegetables per day but I am getting better at it with the
diary keeping track.
Other members’ stories and advice is truly invaluable.
Somebody always knows the answer to any question you could
possibly have. And if you just want to let off steam or have a
temper tantrum, no problem! WLR members are there to support you
all the way.
Also if I keep losing weight my GP wants to take me off the
blood pressure medication in January. I have had all the tests
and ruled out any other problems so it is purely down to
carrying too much excess weight.
The Best of Weight Loss Resources
At the beginning I only used the food diary. Took me weeks
before I discovered the message boards! I started to use the
message boards and stopped using the diary and my weight loss
instantly slowed down (and reversed a bit). Now I have got my
head finally sorted and the weight is coming off again. I need
to use the diary to keep myself in check and the message boards
for inspiration, motivation and support. I love reading other
people’s stories (there is always somebody out there who has got
it worse than yourself) and encourage them along.
Dani's Tips for Losing Weight
To be successfully able to lose weight you need to have your
mind in the right frame or you will struggle or fail. During the
summer something clicked for me and now I am really determined
to shift all that excess fat. But you have got to be honest with
your diary without getting too obsessed. Life is too short so
build in treats! Ok my weight loss is nice and slow but I don’t
feel like I am on a diet or that I am depriving myself of
anything (including chocolate and cheese. Lol!!!).
And the support from my husband is invaluable. He cheers me
on and tells everybody how proud he is of me!
Massive thanks to WLR and all the members for inspiration,
motivation and endless support! I would not be at my half way
stage with weight loss without that. Also I like to believe I
have made some new friends and I know I have learned/re-educated
myself about food, how much to eat and what I can and should
eat.
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