If you have a bad day, forget it and start again afresh the next morning without feeling guilty. Another tip is that to make this work you must change your eating/life habits for good not just temporarily while you are dieting.
We had moved to Wales and had been doing up our house so our meals were always convenience food, takeaways, chocolate and crisps with hardly any fresh fruit and vegetables. I was drinking far too much alcohol every night to chill out.
I had gained a stone or more in a short period of time and I had no clothes to fit apart from jogging bottoms, baggy t-shirts and hubby's jumpers and even they were too tight!
I've been overweight all my adult life. Despite some periods of dieting and losing weight I've always put it, and more, back on again.
I started Slimming World in October 2002 as my Mum was already losing weight on that diet plan. I saw a terrible picture of me from behind. I hadn't realised I looked so huge. I was over 16st and size 22 at my heaviest. I changed to Weight Watchers in May 2003 at 13 stone 10lbs.
I started off wanting to lose a stone and just took each pound off as a pound healthier. I never believed I would lose over 5 stone. I have had hard weeks and some gains but have just kept going and hopefully will do so for good.
I have 2 boys. Luckily they are very slim. I want them to stay that way and am trying to teach them that treats are fine in moderation but not part of the food diet. Fruit, vegetables and salad are on hand for them to eat whenever they want. Their lunch boxes are packed with healthy snacks not chocolate or sweets. They love to know about healthy eating/cooking.
I joined a gym in July 2003 and now exercise regularly too. I still find it hard to believe I have lost more than the weight of my youngest son. No wonder I used to be puffing and blowing all the time and had to heave myself up off a chair or out of the car. I couldn't run at all.
My husband has lost over 3 stone as well. We were so unfit and unhealthy. The whole family now eats healthier and we all feel so much better.
your comments
Amy Daniel
Well done Ali! I wish I could lose something. I'm no good. I need to put my head down and lose some. I look up to you now!
Tue Jun 5 08:09:13 2007
millie wakers, Cardiff
Well done Ali!
Mon Oct 23 10:02:21 2006
Sheila Melvin Samuel
Good guide to healthy eating. I wish I could shed a few stones too!
Tue Jul 18 09:21:18 2006
Danielle Ganney Essex
well done Ali you have really proved that when people put their minds to things that they can achieve anything and i certainly will be trying this for myself. You are truly an inspiration.
Tue May 30 07:18:24 2006
golloria hillton from Flint
I think if i ate like that i could be slim. Ali is outstanding to have lost all that weight. What a good example to larger people.
Sat Feb 25 19:19:11 2006
Victoria Parker, Sandhurst
Holly Jones said 'You make it sound so easy - lucky you'. I doubt it was easy, and it certainly wasn't down to luck. It's about educating yourself about food and drink, being realistic, being sensible, having willpower and, above all, making it a way of life. Being on a diet is one thing, but having a healthy lifestyle is another. I've lost 1.5 stone twice in the past, and it's all gone back on over time. I'm short, so extra pounds show easily. In the last 10 weeks I've cut out all the rubbish, taken up aerobics 4 to 6 times a week, and am nearly in a pair of jeans that have never fitted. And something I never thought I'd say... I'm enjoying exercising! At my worst I was a size 14, now a 12, but I want to be a 10. And I'm not giving up till I get there, which I hope will be in about another 6 weeks.
Tue Jan 17 13:43:11 2006
Kirby Harding from Grangetown, Cardiff
Well done to Ali, I could not believe how much weight she lost, and to go over her target is just fantastic! I'm 21 and have always been on the "tubby" side, I'm always trying to lose weight, but between work and my social life it's really hard! But after reading Ali's story I'm ready for it! (and the fact I got a holiday to look forward is pushing me along too). Well done Ali, Wish you and your family all the best for the future.
Tue Nov 29 13:38:13 2005
Kyle Davies, Llanddulas
Very Well Done Ali. You're living proof that it's not hard to lose weight. You should be extremely proud of yourself.
Fri Sep 23 09:58:10 2005
Claire from Cambridge
Congratulations Ali! Well done! I am currently trying to lose weight and have made some good changes to my diet/lifestyle. I feel great, and have lost about 4 stone myself. I still have a fair way to go, but i feel inspired by your story to keep going! :-)
Fri Aug 26 22:02:04 2005
KULDIP MATHAROO FROM HAYES.MIDDX
Well done Ali. I am trying to lose around 6 stones but I don't have any motivation, I give up too easily. I will join a slimming club and get some help from them. Congratulations again for losing that horrible weight.
Mon May 9 13:23:15 2005
Ashley Perry, Porthmadog
Well done to you. You really must have taken time out for yourself and got the results. I have tried and failed but after reading your story I feel inspired. Hopefully it will be my success story next!
Fri Mar 11 11:15:42 2005
Cheryl, Swansea
I am searching for some inspiration to shift those choccie+alcohol excesses from Christmas+beyond!-This has struck a chord-I must cut down on alcohol+get fit-I've been there b4+its fab!--Well done Ali!-You are an inspiration+I'm going to get those old WW books out tonight!
Thu Jan 20 19:52:27 2005
Holly Jones from Milton Keynes
You make it sound so easy - lucky you.
Fri Jan 14 13:26:29 2005
Barbara Simmons, Salt Lake City
Very inspiring, you must feel really good about what you have accomplished. Keep up the good habits.
Wed Jan 12 18:30:22 2005
Lucy Smith from London
I think Ali has done great and to look after two childeren and a husband it must be hard for her to look after herself. Well done Ali and keep up the work!
Sun Jan 9 18:44:15 2005
Sophie from Northop Hall
You've done brilliant. I'm following ww at the moment and am about ½ way to getting to my target. Bet you feel great.
Wed Aug 4 13:07:40 2004
Trisha, Denbigh
Well done!
Sat Jun 26 17:02:19 2004
Emma Davies from North Wales
I think Ali's weight loss is amazing. It has encouraged me to try harder at losing weight - it shows that it is possible! Well done!
Fri Apr 30 10:30:50 2004
Ali White
Got to goal on 01/04/04! Lost 6 stones and 60.5 inches in total! Size 22 to 10-12 - I feel fantastic and have loads more energy! I never thought I would do it! If anyone feels the same please join Weight Watchers and take it a pound at a time!
Wed Apr 7 15:00:24 2004
Ali White from North Wales
Since sending my story I have lost more to get to goal (01/04/04) making a total of 6 stones lost in 18 months.
It is such a tremendous feeling!
If anyone out there is contemplating losing weight please join Weight Watchers, set a small goal and begin a worthwhile journey.
If I can do it anyone can.
Nothing tastes as good as being slim feels!
Fri Apr 2 10:04:45 2004
Joe Layfield, Ali's sister from Manchester
Well done Ali. I am happy for you. You are a star anyway and you always have good meals every day.
Thu Apr 1 12:01:59 2004
Lynsey (Ali's sis) from Manchester
She has done really well, and looks great. I am very pleased for her. The only trouble is that she will now be pinching my clothes!
Mon Mar 29 18:43:05 2004
Lucy Coombes from Manchester
Well done Ali, you look fantastic, all your family and friends are so proud of you.
Mon Mar 29 18:31:06 2004
Sarah Hill from Radcliffe
Ali you are a star...an inspiration to us all...well done chick!
Mon Mar 29 17:17:00 2004
Audrey King from Leigh, Lancs
Congratulations Ali - we are delighted for you. We know how very hard you have worked at your weight loss and you deserve the massive accolade which you have achieved. You are a star and a wonderful example to all overweight people, everywhere.
Mon Mar 29 12:37:58 2004
Stephanie Chatterley from Ramsbottom
I am very proud of Ali. She has proved that with exercise and healthy eating, we could all be slim.
Mon Mar 29 09:52:21 2004
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