I’ve been a yo yo dieter since my 20s but when I turned 64 I decided it was time to finally break that cycle. Having tried so many diets that were hopelessly hard to follow, and made so many mistakes counting calories, I found any pounds I lost, I then regained very quickly.
Rather than go on any more diets, I wanted to adopt a healthier relationship with food and lose weight to look better and feel healthier. I always felt frumpy and couldn’t buy nice clothes. Dresses were a nightmare because I’m pear shaped and was very large around the hips compared with my shoulders.
Why I chose LighterLife
I have an incredibly busy job, and I know one of the reasons I’ve failed at diets before is because of not having the right foods in the cupboard. But with LighterLife, I don’t have to plan special meals or go shopping ahead of time.
It’s so easy, the Foodpacks take no time at all to prepare. There’s plenty of choice so there’s no running out of healthy options. And the free CBT Mindfulness sessions and Mentor support LighterLife offer was also another reason for choosing them.
Mentoring and Mindfulness
My Mentor, Neil, has been amazing, non-judgmental, honest and supportive. He is always there when I need him and his frequent texts are a great prompt to stay on track.
We have a great group that always inspires me and the weekly CBT Mindfulness sessions were truly excellent. They have taught me to be mindful of what I eat and drink. I’ve also found journaling to be so helpful when combined with strategies for dealing with stress
And the TotalFast Community Facebook page was also very helpful, filled with so many people on similar weight loss journeys, and lots of support and inspiration.
Following the plan
I did feel tired for the first 3-4 days after starting TotalFast. And there was one moment on Day 3 when I felt very hungry, but I got a very helpful message from Neil, asking how I was doing and encouraging me to keep going.
I found the Foodpacks very tasty, nutritious, and satisfying, with plenty of variety. I love the Porridge Pots for breakfast and lunch, and I find the Shakes great for lunches and days out. Tip: I make them a few hours in advance and keep them in the fridge so they become thick and creamy! I also found the Jellies and Broth very good for staving off hunger pangs.
I started TotalFast in March 2023 and lost 2st 2lb. My BMI went from 31 to 25. Additionally, my cholesterol was 7.4 before starting and I’m pleased to say it’s come down nicely.
What have I learned?
My main takeaway is to be mindful of what I eat and drink and not let self-sabotage get in the way. It’s so interesting how many of our eating habits go back to childhood.
I’ve also learned that eating carbohydrates is a real trigger for me. And I realise now that a meal without carbs is equally satisfying, which is something I would have never considered before
How do I feel now?
Before starting LighterLife I wore a dress size 16, size 16-18 trousers, and size 33 Levi jeans. Now I’m a dress size 10, in size 12 trousers, and size 29 Levis – and I’ve received lots of compliments, which is very nice!
I also feel so much fitter, I can run upstairs, I don’t get short of breath walking, and I feel much more confident and in control of my life.
What I’d say to anyone thinking about starting LighterLife
I’d recommend LighterLife to anyone wanting to lose weight. For me, it felt effortless, I never craved any foods, or felt that I was missing out on anything.
My top tip for when you do start is to sign up with a Mentor, and make sure you join the weekly mindfulness group sessions, they’re a game changer.
