I lost 4 stone in 7 months
HELEN BROWN lives in Cheshire with husband Danny and children Daisy, eight, and Oliver, two. Helen, 38, lost four stone with Weight Watchers – and it has changed her life.
She says: ‘I’ve just come back from holiday and, while I was there, I didn’t give a second thought to putting on my bikini – I was in too much of a hurry to jump in the pool with my kids. It’s wonderful to be able to splash around with them without feeling self-conscious.
‘It was a different story before I lost more than four stone in seven months with Weight Watchers.
‘I’m 5ft 6in and at my heaviest I was 13st 5lb. I used to dread getting in a cossie. I’d cover up with a big kaftan and just sit on the side of the pool, because showing my body was something I couldn’t face.
‘Today I’m a healthy nine stone, and summer no longer holds any fears for me. All my hard work is worth it when it comes to shopping for holiday clothes. Instead of choosing “hide me” maxi dresses, I love browsing the rails of bright summer dresses and looking at all the new bikini styles.
‘On holiday outings I feel comfortable in shorts and a T-shirt too – before I lost the weight I’d sweat it out on hot days in uncomfortable jeans and tops which hid my body.
‘I’m so much happier about every aspect of my life now. I didn’t have time to think about other things before – shame about my weight took up all my head space.’
Helen says the plan has become a way of life when it comes to cooking and socialising. ‘I plan my weekly menu and do an online shop so I only buy the ingredients needed. If I’m socialising I will try to eat lots of zero- or low-point foods throughout the day, saving up points so I don’t feel cheated of treats!
‘Lean protein, eggs and most fruit and vegetables are all “zero heroes” so you can eat them in portion sizes that suit you.
‘Weight Watchers has completely educated me on portion control. I don’t think I ate really badly before, I just ate too much. My favourite breakfast now is banana pancakes, lunch would be bagel pizzas and dinner would be a steak with butternut squash chips or a Thai curry with courgetti.
‘The Weight Watchers cook books are brilliant and I’ve learnt how to adapt normal recipes with really simple substitutions.
‘I also run 5K at least three times a week, in the morning before the kids get up.
‘I’m not the fastest but I find it a great mood-booster.
‘I’ve found that once you’re in the Weight Watchers routine it’s really easy to follow. I both look and feel like a different person.
‘As you can see, having my picture taken in swimwear no longer worries me at all.’