Swindon LighterLife mentor Debbie Dunsford shares the story of Karen, a woman who has lost over three stone on the LighterLife TotalFast Plan.
Karen said she has been struggling with her weight since she was a teenager, but has now lost three stone and two pounds on the LighterLife TotalFast Plan.
Local LighterLife mentor, Debbie Dunsford shares Karen's story below:
When asked her reasons for wanting to lose weight, Karen explained:
"I have been a yo-yo dieter since I was 14 years old! I’ve always been between a size 12 and busting out of a size 14 but in the last few years I’ve been a stone heavier, and consistently been a size 16. This has really affected my confidence, partly because of the way I looked but mainly because of exercise.
"I’m a very active person, I love to do trail races in the mountains but at over 13 stone I was very slow and felt embarrassed by my size amongst all the fit and healthy runners. I separated from my children’s father when our youngest child was only a few weeks old. I’ve not had the confidence to date since as I’d want an active partner but felt I wasn’t healthy enough to go looking for someone like that.
"I am taking my three children to Turkey for a beach holiday in June. It’s the first time I’ve been abroad since being a single parent and I really didn’t want to ruin it for myself by feeling like a beached whale on a sun lounger!
"I decided enough was enough on New Year’s Eve 2021/2022. I do the same fell race with my friend each year, but I was so heavy I didn’t actually think I would be able to complete it that year.
"I don’t tend to post on social media but decided to pledge my intentions to lose weight to the world in the hope I would finally succeed. Then despite my best efforts I ran the exact same race at exactly the same weight (13 stone 2 lbs) a year later in 2022/2023. I cannot wait to do this race this New Year’s Eve."
So why did she choose LighterLife?
Karen said: "I have started a new diet every Monday for almost 30 years! There is nothing I haven’t tried from cabbage soup to fasting and all the conventional diets in between!
"I decided I had to do something different and that’s when I found LighterLife through a google search. I think I was addicted to food and thought that taking food out of the equation might help. And it has! I now feel completely different about food and my weight, than ever before.
"I’m 100% confident I’ll stay this size. So much so, I’ve given away or sold all my bigger clothes on Vinted. Even all my favourite dresses. It’s both the diet and the CBT Mindfulness sessions that has helped me.
"I lost weight so quickly it made my goal feel achievable and I could see my body changing before my eyes. The fact that the rules are so rigid helped me to stick to it as you can’t cheat at all. One glass of measured Prosecco can’t be squeezed into the plan as this then leads to more and a pizza.
"I felt hungry the first few days on LighterLife’s TotalFast plan but as soon as ketosis kicked in I felt amazing, and I also lost 11lbs so I didn’t mind."
When asked how LighterLife supported her through her weight loss journey, Karen added:
"After what I’ve learnt in the CBT Mindfulness Group, I now think completely differently about food. It’s not that I didn’t know these things before but somehow, I understand them and myself more now. I’ll keep going to group for a long time. I’ve learnt that my triggers will always be there. It’s about managing my triggers and learning how to cope with my emotions without using food.
"I found the TotalFast Support Group on Facebook to be a positive and friendly place. It was so useful to read about other people in the same situation’s experiences.
"I feel so much more confident now. Now that I’ve lost the weight, I can’t stop shopping for new clothes! I don’t cover up in anything baggy anymore and I wear a lot of running leggings with short tops. I feel good in almost everything. I went up a mountain this weekend and found it so much easier to climb up hill.
"I’m feeling so much more confident now. I’ve uploaded some pictures to a dating site and might try internet dating. My advice to anyone wanting to join LighterLife is DO IT NOW! You will thank yourself."
Those looking to start their own journey with LighterLife can locate their personal Mentor at https://www.lighterlife.com/lighterlife-near-you/
Individuals wishing to contact Debbie Dunsford can get in touch via 0748 837 5484 or email [email protected]
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