Food is not my emotional crutch any more

KARRIe MIsZKOwsKA, 36, a human resources manager, lives in swindon with her husband Greg, 36, a business grants manager, daughter Darcey, 15, and 19-month-old son Reuben. Karrie lost 2st 13lb with weightwatchers over six months, going from 12st 3lb to 9st 4lb and from a dress size 14-16 to a size 8-10. she

is 5ft 7in. she says:

I JOINED WW in November 2021, originally to keep my best friend company — to be honest I thought it would be like every other diet I’d tried and failed at. But I was so wrong. Thanks to WW I am nearly 3st lighter six months on, more active and feeling more positive about life.

This is because on WW’s PersonalPoints programme I could eat the foods I loved and still lose weight — if I tracked my Points and budgeted for treats.

I’ve also learned to change my secret snacking habit.

When I joined WW, I was in denial about how much I weighed and wouldn’t look at myself in the mirror or let myself be photographed.

My son Reuben was 13 months old but we’d had problems conceiving in the five years before and I sought comfort in food.

I’d think nothing of eating a sharing bag of crisps and dip, plus chocolate every night as I watched TV with Greg.

But I was also eating in secret. I felt this didn’t count if no one could see me do it. If I was alone at home I’d scoff a bag of crisps or chocolate bar — then hide the wrapper. It was like a secret addiction.

And so my weight crept up. I was no longer the size 12 I was in 2011 when I met Greg. I have back problems caused by a prolapsed disc suffered ten years ago. At my heaviest the extra weight made the pain so bad I had to use a wheelchair for weeks on end.

With WW’s PersonalPoints programme I could choose the foods I liked — and used my ZeroPoint choices (veg, protein — lean chicken, turkey and eggs — and whole grains) for my meals to leave enough points for some treats and snacks at night.

I also used these foods to prepare normal family meals to enjoy together. A favourite recipe is katsu chicken.

Best of all, I could add Points back by adopting healthy habits — eating non-starchy vegetables, drinking water and being more active.

I began walking around the block, progressing to fivemile cycle trails.

I was soon adding 5-10 points to my budget daily with exercise, drinking water and eating veg, which filled me up.

I was losing weight, too — 2-3lb a week, on average. But the biggest change has been to my mindset. WW workshops made me realise I was using food as a crutch to deal with problems. I needed to be kinder to myself. Now I eat popcorn instead of Doritos and dips, for instance, and I love lowcalorie mint choc ice cream — just 3 PersonalPoints a serving. I save the Points I’ve earned for occasions such as birthdays.

I always track what I eat and plan meals carefully.

Now, I rarely use my wheelchair, I’m a WW coach and focus on maintaining my health, which makes me feel more upbeat.