Takeaways became a crutch for unhappiness
AMY WILLIAMS, 27, joined WW to become healthier and help combat the depression and anxiety she suffered after five consecutive miscarriages. Amy, who lives in Banstead, Surrey, with husband Jason, 34, a heating engineer, and their five-year-old son Nicholas lost over two-and-a-half stone in a year. She says:
KNOWING that if I ate better I would improve my mental health was the biggest motivator for joining WW.
I was in such a bad place after five miscarriages in three years. I’d put on weight after each pregnancy and felt terrible. But I couldn’t be bothered to cook. Instead, I was eating takeaways, and ready meals. I’d also treat myself to chocolates and drink wine most nights because I felt so low.
My weight ballooned — at my heaviest, I was 14st 4lb — and I was always in leggings and baggy sweaters, unhappy with my body and a size 14-16
I suffered my first miscarriage in November 2016 and put on a stone soon after. By the time I’d suffered the fourth, in November 2018, I sometimes felt suicidal. I felt so guilty that I couldn’t give Nicholas the little brother or sister he’d always wanted.
Some days I felt I was just existing. I didn’t see my GP but I did have hypnotherapy when I felt particularly low.
I’d been a member of WW before — losing 4st after Nicholas was born — so I knew that their plan would help my mental wellbeing as well as weight loss. So I became a member, online at first, in November 2018.
The pounds began to drop off quite quickly and I gradually began to feel well within myself again, though it was a bit at a time.
We also got a little rescue dog called Rocky. Walking him helped my mood as well as physical health.
I’ve made good use of the WW mindset tools, particularly the meditation. I listen to the Headspace app most days if I feel bad and do breathing exercises. I have made steady progress with my mood and wellbeing.
When myWW came in, I chose the Purple plan as it has the most ZeroPoint foods and I like a varied diet. As potatoes and wholegrain pasta are also ZeroPoints
it is easy to prepare family suppers we can all share, like chicken casserole or spaghetti bolognaise.
I got back to a size 10-12 in September and I’m wearing clothes I haven’t been able to get into for years.
I’ve retrained as a WW coach so I can help others.
I learnt that the most important thing was to improve the way I viewed the world and to feel better about myself. The weight loss followed after that.
Now I’m just concentrating on being as healthy as I can be. I’m hoping to have a baby in the future but have learnt to be very grateful for the family I do have.
I’m delighted with the weight I’ve lost. Feeling so much happier and more positive is totally priceless.