Janet kicks the habit!
What is your worst dietary habit? For many it is a term called 'grazing'. You may not necessarily be eating large meals but the snacking between them makes it difficult to shift those stubborn pounds.
Janet was one of these people.
“My husband (bless him) described me as a cow because I was always grazing (at least he said that was the reason!). I didn’t eat huge meals, but what I ate was usually rubbish and fattening rubbish at that.”
Janet had been on numerous diets with varying success. The major motivation for joining our online dieting service was a deterioration in her health. “I was becoming immobile due to the pressure on arthritic joints caused by excess weight.”
Her social life was also being affected. “I became very good at finding excuses not to go out socially.”
Janet followed the Heart Smart plan and it proved to be an extremely successful plan for her. She has lost four and a half stone and dropped several dress sizes. Losing the weight has made such a difference to her daily life.
“I now have more clothing outlets to choose from, I can walk much further, my self-confidence has grown immensely and my mental energy has increased unbelievably. I can now perform household tasks without having to sit down every 5 minutes-I only have to sit down every 20 minutes now!”
Janet’s health has dramatically improved as a result of losing the weight.“My doctor is delighted with me.”
What made it easier for Janet was that she found the plan supportive as well as enjoyable.
“I have really enjoyed the plan. The most important feature for me is the support I received, not only from the 50+ support group, but from the nutrition and customer service teams. The meal plans were excellent too.”
So what has happened the ‘grazing’?
“I have broken some difficult habits, one being chocolate and another snacking on horrendously fattening nibbles.”
Does Janet feel confident about maintaining her weight loss?
“Yes, I like the way I am eating now. Some of the recipes like three bean salad with avocado and chicken are too good to give up. I automatically check the fat and calorie count of everything I eat and stick to the recommended calorie intake. I intend to continue this way when I have achieved my goal, adding a treat a couple of days a week.”
What are Janet’s tips for success?
- To anyone starting on the diet I would say, first of all, that it really does work, and pretty soon becomes more a way of eating than a diet. I could never bear the thought of long-term dieting because the end seemed so far away, but on this online dieting service it is easy to forget that you are on a diet-it’s just a sensible, healthy way of eating.
- When you hit the dreaded ‘plateau’ don’t give up. Swap your meals about, and perhaps one day eat a few less calories, then the next a few more, so that your system doesn’t get complacent.”
- Found the most useful thing I had was my 'mental' list of treats that I was going to allow myself on that glorious day when I reach my target. That way I didn’t feel that I was depriving myself of anything; I was just postponing the pleasure.
- Make use of the support that is offered (by the nutrition team and customer services). They are a friendly, supportive group who are there to help you, and delighted to do so.
This final anecdote from Janet is one of encouragement for everyone out there who is endeavouring to follow a weight loss/healthy eating plan.
“It’s so important not to make yourself feel miserable or guilty because you fall off the wagon occasionally. We all have to have a life outside dieting, and if that includes going out for meals with family and friends, the damage you may be doing to your diet is far outweighed by the good you are doing to your sense of wellbeing. You can always be extra good the day after-and so what if the diet takes a couple of weeks long…enjoy life!”