How I Lost Almost Two Stone

Applying discipline to our diets is only the first step: the real test is the daily diligence that's required of permanent weight-loss. After years of drastically yo-yoing, how do you go from daily disaster to lasting lightness?

I did it, and so can you!

There are arguably more articles, 'how to' guides and cheat sheets on weight loss available online than any other. Whilst I'm not a seasoned nutritionist or dietician I can tell you how I radically changed my diet, and ultimately my lifestyle to shift nearly 14b of unhealthy fat.

1. Water

Good heavens, this magic is worryingly underrated. I think the fact everyone harps on about the fact you MUST drink water ironically puts us off drinking more. We try, we sip, we even slurp but most of the time we fail.

Why did it help me so much? Because I found I drank little to no water each day, and then felt ridiculously hungry but I was in fact seriously dehydrated not hungry. This, in turn had a knock on effect on my skin, my energy levels and my ability to exercise.

It's simple. Take water so seriously, it's your friend. Side note: if we don't drink enough water, we die. If water is that important to the human body, then it's time we respect it!

Tips:

- Carry a water bottle and know how many refilled bottles you must drink a day.

- If you find water bland then try adding some frozen fruit, it adds such a quick pop of flavour minus the sugar or nasty sweeteners found in cordials.

- Lemon in water is awesome. Did you know whilst it can damage the enamel of your teeth (if seriously over consumed) it actually changes from being acidic to powerfully alkaline once digested.

- Whatever you do, cut out all fizzy drinks. Also read the contents of all pure juices, the majority are pumped with preservatives and other rubbish. My rule of thumb is if I'm thirsty, then my body is craving water not any other liquid.

2. Educate yourself

Let me tell you something that's a little embarrassing. Before I sorted my lifestyle out I binged and ate literally anything and everything. From McDonald's at 1am to nutella slathered slices of brioche washed down with litres of diet coke, my diet was the epitome of a disaster.

Most girls laugh and say, I fell in love and got fat. Yet ironically, I fell in love and got fit and healthy. Thanks cupid! Part of the journey has involved countless books, podcasts, youtube videos and blogs brimming full of information.

What sort of information? The sort that opened my eyes to nutrition. After realising I could no longer eat gluten, I started to really look into what components make our food, 'food'. For so long I ate according to taste and gluttony yet never ever in line with nourishment and nutrients.

For me the biggest turning point in my journey has been overhauling my entire diet and lifestyle. We spend so long considering what products to put on our faces, or clothes on our bodies, yet do we stop and read the content of the food we shovel in our mouths? Nope.

Tips:

- Read the nutritional content of everything you eat. For me, if it isn't natural then I'm not interested. I understand everyone is different, so find what works for you but I seriously implore you to consider this and to do so seriously. You only have one body!

- Another general rule of thumb, if you can't pronounce what's in the item then you sure as heck shouldn't put it anywhere near your mouth.

- Take your veggies seriously. Often so unloved and pushed to the side, we put bread and meat on a pedestal making them the 'main' part of the meal. Your vegetables contain a CRAZY amount of nutrients, do some research and eat them up.

- On the theme of nutrients and vegetables, please don't steam the goodness out of them. In the UK and Ireland we have a woeful habit of drastically overcooking and serving our vegetables as mush. Try and eat them raw when you can, that way you'll get all of the goodness!

3. Build up that sweat

I'll never forget my first 'proper' run. My friend Chris and I ran several miles at the comic pace my cat saunters at, yet the feeling of sheer satisfaction and elation will always resonate with me. 

Before I donned my trainers and ran I was a 'let's a go to the gym' kinda gal. It took every morsel of my being to step onto the treadmill and even at that I trudged through every second. Running outdoors might not be your thing, but it surprisingly turned out to be mine. You'll find yours too!

Find what makes you happy, what allows you to set goals and enjoy yourself as you exercise. Maybe you'll say 'dang, no exercise is enjoyable' well then it's a case of retraining how you think because taking care of your body is imperative and crucial to sorting out your lifestyle and weight.

Tips: 

- Don't kick yourself if you aren't awesome at that pilates class, your first run or training session. You'll find your feet if you allow yourself to, don't allow discouragement and negativity to win.

- Make sure you drink lots of water, and sleep properly. I mean go to bed at a sensible hour, let your body repair (because this is what it does when we sleep) and hydrate so you can exercise at an optimum level.

4. Do it for you

I genuinely think one of the hardest parts about losing weight is understanding why we want to lose XYZ amount of lbs. Is it because we want to look like someone else? Do we want to step out in 'that' outfit and feel amazing?

For so long I wanted to look a certain way because I wanted to 'feel' a certain way. When I went on a homegrown Sarah-Louise style bootcamp and didn't end up feeling or looking how I wanted to feel or look, so I ended up exasperated and immediately said no, no more.

Hindsight is a wonderful thing. I genuinely believe the reason why my weight-loss is permanent is because I view food differently. It's something that feeds our bodies, that provides it with incredibly important complex nutrients.

I no longer treat what I eat as a by product to losing weight, looking a certain way and ultimately feeling a certain emotion. I retrained my mind, learnt a lot and discovered so many things in the process. Food is an essential fuel, but above that it is something to be enjoyed.

So - how can I enjoy it?

5. Train your mind

They say you can't teach an old dog new tricks, but they are very very wrong. If you ever listen to this mantra and believe in it, then I implore you to think again! Every day we cultivate habits, adapt to them and live 'in' them. Each day we live in those very moments; the small decisions, the tiny thoughts and the minuscule mundane actions. 

Every. Day. That's where the power kicks in. You my friend hold the keys to your castle. Your brain is under your control, and you have the power to rewire it. 

You see the thing is, food is powerful. There's no denying that. The right foods can treat illnesses and the wrong foods can cause illnesses. The sad thing is, we live in a society that markets food for profit not nutrition. 

Basically, this is where the books are of note. We're told 'no fat' products are awesome. Then BAM, we're told they're linked to certain diseases. The next month a bunch of sugar free low calorie products are ushered onto our TV screens and into our magazines. We aren't sure how they're sweet and that low in calories, but we eat them anyway as we trust the mainstream companies and media.

B-A-M. We are oh so wrong. 

Train your mind to think for itself when it comes to food. Don't eat with your eye, it's dangerous. I genuinely believe the majority of people know that processed food, preservatives, GMOs and sugar are bad for us. I honestly think people also know that the food industry is based on profit, not nutrition. As a society, we aren't stupid. Nur-ur. Somewhere in the back of your mind is a voice telling you what you already know, that junk food is a gold mine for the huge corporations.

How sad but equally how awesome, that you know this. 

Tips: 

1. Educate yourself: What's in the food I eat, what am I missing in my diet and what should I eat more/less of? Take. This. Seriously

2. Believe in yourself: Dang, you've so got this! Wake up and BELIEVE you are going to succeed. Dwell on it. Dream about it. Speak those words out loud and then go out there and do it. Don't believe you'll fail by the weekend, instead choose to focus and believe you'll still be walking the same path day by day come the weekend. Have faith.

3. Exercise: If you can't do lots, that's ok. Do some, do any. Look after your body, don't push it trying to burn the calories you ate during the day. Think of exercise as an added activity in your day, like watching the TV or cooking your dinner. Do it, and enjoy it!

4. Change: Remember change requires effort, it won't be easy but it is worth it. You're doing it for you, because you love your body and because you want to enjoy your life to the fullest. How wonderful! 

One final tip, which is one that's incredibly important. Don't count calories, if you're eating the right sort of foods and can abide by knowing when you're hungry then don't start the count. 

I'm sending you so much love and positivity because I know you've got this - we all can, only if we choose to!

Ps. If you'd like to read any of my other posts on my diet journey. Click me & me!