My social life kept getting in way whenever I tried to lose weight. Then lockdown hit and I realised it was now or never. By Helen Rogers, 56
I looked at the clock and couldn’t believe the time.
I’d started work at 8am and now it was way past dinner time.
No wonder my tummy’s rumbling, I thought.
I’d worked from home for years and some weeks I worked such long hours, I wouldn’t leave the house for days at a time.
‘It’s going to be different once I’ve retired,’ I told myself.
I’d recently taken the decision to retire early, and I couldn’t wait.
Now, I headed downstairs and pulled some chicken and a bag of oven chips out the freezer.
That’ll do, I thought.
It wasn’t the healthiest of meals, but it was quick and easy.
The trouble was that my reliance on convenient freezer food along with my sedentary lifestyle had taken its toll on my weight.
Although I’d been on the bigger side growing up, I hadn’t been fat.
But over the years my weight had crept up so slowly, I’d barely noticed it happening.
I’d tried to diet before, but something always got in the way. Usually work and my social life too – I rarely turned down a night out with my friends.
But while I didn’t like my 20st 8lb, size 28 body, I also didn’t have time to get upset about it. Even when I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.
Now, after polishing off my chicken and chips, I went back to my desk and worked for a few hours longer.
Then one day, at a check-up with my doctor, he told me my diabetes was almost at the point where I’d need insulin to control it.
No way, I thought to myself.
Losing weight would help me avoid that, so I joined Slimming World.
But my progress was slow, especially once I’d retired, because I was too busy enjoying my new-found freedom.
‘I’ve been away this week,’ I’d say at my weigh-in.
The next week it would be another excuse.
‘I was out three times this week,’ I’d confess.
Although it took ages, I somehow managed to shift two stone. Then the country went into lockdown because of Covid-19.
After a couple of weeks of sitting on my sofa, I realised something – I’d run out of excuses for not losing weight.
I couldn’t go out for dinner, or for drinks with the girls. There were no holidays or weekends away to indulge in. I was 100 per cent in control.
‘If you don’t do it now, you never will,’ I told myself.
It was like a lightbulb going on in my head.
I began planning my meals and only buying the food I needed for that.
I also started writing down everything I ate too, so it was there in black and white.
My Slimming World group moved online, so I used that support to stay motivated and soon I was losing steadily each week.
It wasn’t always easy. Living on my own and not being able to see friends and family was tough.
But if I had a bad day where I’d eaten something I shouldn’t have for comfort, I’d just draw a line under it and do better the next day.
When lockdown eased, I limited how often I ate out and if I was going out shopping with a friend, I’d take my own lunch, so I wouldn’t be tempted to eat anything I shouldn’t.
When we were able to have our Slimming World group together in person again, I was thrilled when my group leader thrust a pile of progress certificates into my hand.
I’ve now lost more than eight stone, which is just incredible. I’ve bought myself a pair of knee-high boots – something I’d never have been able to wear before.
After years of sitting at my desk, barely moving, I’m walking everywhere and I’m going to the gym now too.
My diabetes is also now in remission, which is just the best news ever.
Losing weight has changed my life and now there’s no going back to the old me.
Helen’s TOP TIP: If you’re going to lose weight and keep it off, you have to go for it. If you half do it, it doesn’t work.
Height: 5ft 3in
Weight before: 20st 8lb, size 28
Weight after: 12st 7lb, size 12/14
Total loss: 8st 1lb
DIET BEFORE
Breakfast: Toast with butter
Lunch: Sandwich and crisps
Dinner: roast dinner or chicken and chips
Snacks: crisps, salted nuts, crackers
DIET AFTER
Breakfast: Fruit and yoghurt or eggs
Lunch: Pitta and salad with bulgar wheat
Dinner: Slimming World chilli chicken with veg or salad
Snacks: low fat crisps, boiled eggs, fruit