‘I finally lost my baby weight’
HINA MISTRY-MOULTON, 49, runs a family construction business with her husband, Rob, in Grantham, Lincolnshire.
‘Before my children came along, I’d been a size 10-12 and ate healthily. But after my eldest, Jai, was born in 2005, I struggled to lose the couple of stones I’d put on during pregnancy. I’d never felt so tired and turned to chocolate and crisps, looking for an energy boost that never came.
‘When I returned to my then job as a teacher, I barely had time to think, let alone eat well. I’d get by on a bowl of sugary cereal for breakfast, a white-bread cheese sandwich for lunch and a Chinese takeaway for dinner with Rob.
‘After my daughter, Nia, was born two years later, I craved chocolate even more and went up another dress size, then another. I tried to convince myself that my increasing size didn’t matter, but my self-confidence was in tatters.
‘Physically, I was struggling, too. My knees ached and my fingers were so big I couldn’t wear my engagement ring. Desperate to be the happy woman I once was, I joined Slimming World in January 2020. I also set out on a mission to walk 10,000 steps a day with our cocker spaniel, Ted. My knees groaned at first, but with each pound I lost, it got easier.
‘A year later, I’d lost enough to get my engagement ring back on and celebrated by treating myself to a little black dress.
‘My target weight is 8st 7lbs, but I’m thrilled with my progress. Going for a walk with my family or a shopping trip with my sister is so different now I’m happy in myself. It’s the little things that make all the difference: life is for living and I’m determined to enjoy every minute.’