I didn’t diet, I changed my lifestyle… and so can you

In Day Three of her weight-loss special, Emmerdale legend Lisa Riley shares her favourite healthy but tasty recipes

IT IS 18 months since I slipped into a size 12 dress for the first time. And that feeling was so amazing that I am 100 per cent sure I will never go back to the old, obese me. But the number one question I am asked on a daily basis is this: how have I managed to keep the weight off?

The answer is simple. I changed my lifestyle for good.

I didn’t embark on a diet, I changed the way I thought. I knew I was on a dangerous, slippery slope to an unhealthy future.

I was drastically overweight, I ate too much, I drank too much, I didn’t feel good about myself.

But I knew I was the only person who could take control of my life, turn those negatives into positives and create a whole new me.

Not only am I 12st lighter, but I am fitter, healthier and most importantly happier than I ever was when I was stuffing my face full of crisps, crumpets and wine.

I didn’t set out to lose 12st, I set out to lose a little bit of weight and live a longer, healthier life. But once the pounds, then stones, started to drop off, it spurred me on to keep going.

That is the beauty of this party dress plan. If you give yourself the aim of losing a dress size by Christmas, who knows where it might lead?

If you feel as good as I did in the dress of my dreams, it could push you on to become even fitter, healthier and slimmer in the New Year.

Once you have completed my eight-day kick-start from yesterday’s paper, don’t see that as the end.

See it as the beginning of your journey. If you stick to the plan and exercise, then you should lose some weight, those jeans should feel a little looser.

THEN is the time to build on that success. Carry on eating three healthy meals a day, make lunch your main meal of the day, and snack on healthy options.

If you are making chicken and veg for dinner one evening, chop up some extra carrots and some cucumber and throw them into a pot to take to work the next day.

A small handful of nuts is full of protein and healthy fats which will help you to stay fuller for longer.

Try to cut down on the booze – there will be plenty of tipples come the Christmas party season.

And if you fall off the wagon and have a little cheat, don’t see that as a failure. Draw a line under it and move on.

Here are some of my favourite recipes from my book Lose Weight For Life to give you some inspiration and help you to get party frock-ready.