Laura's Life Changing Weight Loss - Progress Update

Having just reached 12 stone lost and with 1 stone left to reach my goal I thought it would be useful to write something about maintaining my losses through my pregnancy and getting back on plan after pregnancy.

In July 2017 I discovered I was 8 weeks pregnant. By this point, I had lost about 8/8.5 stone. I was thrilled and excited about having a baby, and I was initially anxious about undoing all my hard work and regaining all the weight I had lost. I made a decision very early on that I was in charge of what weight I gained, and I could take control of this. The first thing I did was speak to my midwife about what I was thinking and asked to be referred to a nutritionist. I also took advice from the NHS online which gives guidance about how much weight you are expected to gain based on your BMI. My BMI was still high, so it was recommended I gained very little weight anyway. Before the first appointment with the nutritionist I worked out roughly how many calories and carbs I would need to maintain my weight and started taking a good pregnancy multivitamin to make sure I met all my RDA’s. The nutritionist was very surprised at all my research and existing loss and was really supportive of what I wanted to do and achieve and gave me the go ahead on my plan! I then needed to use everything I learned on the plan about making calorie-controlled meals and products that can help. For example, I couldn’t use packs, but I could use Waldon Farms products, Slim rice, everything I have learned about low-fat yoghurt, cheese and lean meats. I didn’t use pregnancy to go mad on bad foods and go back to my old ways and eating for 2 is definitely a myth. I managed portions, kept carbs low enough but not allowing to get into ketosis. I used a calorie and carb tracking app to ensure I was keeping track of what I was doing. Having read The Beck Diet Solution I could use everything I have learned to manage urges to eat inappropriately. I’m not going to lie this was hard work, but I wanted to be healthy for the birth and for my baby when he was born. I didn’t obsess daily about my weight, after after-all I was pregnant, but, I did regularly weigh to keep in control.

All of this worked, and I gained 4lb in pregnancy, fair to say I was really pleased with this.

When George was born I took a further 12 weeks off plan and lost 8lbs in addition to the 4lb I gained during pregnancy. I did this probably because I kept low calorie and carb as well as breastfeeding. However, as soon as the 12 weeks was over I was really keen to get back on plan. I was still really focused on my end goal. I haven’t come this far on my journey to stop now, and I still want to achieve what I set out to do.

Getting back on the plan wasn’t easy. There were a couple of false starts, not for lack of motivation but not planning well enough for my new lifestyle. However, once I started planning better for my new lifestyle and working packs around George, I got back into the groove. Getting past the first few weeks and then the first stone was a hurdle but then once I was on a roll I have just kept my eyes on the end goal. I started to reframe doing the diet with a very young baby as a lifesaver. With a little baby I don’t have time to cook meals, therefore shakes and microwaveable packs became a major convenience for a tired sleep deprived busy mum!! So I really had no excuses! Also with a new focus of being a mum, my motivation was I want to be a fit and healthy mummy, I want my baby to have a healthy relationship with food and for me to be a good role model for him. So I have to get to the end of this journey. What more motivation do I need.

So now I am 1 stone away from my goal of 11st 10lb, and still really motivated for all the reasons I already said, but as we get closer to weaning George, I have renewed sense of motivation and sense of responsibility. My motivation is to get this last stone before we start weaning George.

While I am super excited about reaching my goal, maintaining is a daunting thought. I am so determined not to be that person who gains it all back, and I’ve not come this far to eat myself back into a horrible state. Pregnancy was a great practice run for maintaining stage. I’m going to use everything I have learned from being on plan. I’m going to use a calorie and carb monitoring app. I’m going to reread the Beck Diet Solution. I have already thought out what my stumbling blocks and how I Am going to overcome them. Of course Slim & Save will be a huge part of my maintenance plan, I am considering a 4/3 or 5/2 maintenance plan and perhaps a full month on the plan once or twice a year to keep things in check. What I do know is if I can do it during pregnancy I can do it now!

Slim & Save has literally changed my life. It’s given me the tools and opportunity to be a fitter healthier person for me but now for me as a Mum. Last stone here I come!

Laura

Slim & Save Stats:

• Time On Plan: 2 Years
• Plan Followed: Mix of both Lifestyle & Simplicity

Weight Stats:

• Start Weight: 24st 11lb (347lb/158kg)
• Current Weight: 12st 10lb (178lb/81kg)
• Weight Lost: 12st 1lb (169lb/77kg)
• Goal Weight: 11st 10lb (164lb/74.5kg)
• Left To Lose: 1st (14lb/6.5kg)

Read Laura & Simon's 6st Weight Loss Update here.

See Laura's final Success Story after losing an amazing 14st! (Yes thats right, 14st (196lb / 90kg) here.

Slimmer Of The Year 2019

Laura has now lost an amazing 15st and has been awarded "Slimmer Of The Year 2019" See Laura's full video interview here along with more fantastic pictures!