"I'm never hungry, as I make the most of plenty of ZeroPoint™ foods. "
Start weight: 16st 9lb | Weight loss: 4st*
Current weight: 12st 9lb
Height: 5' 5" | Age: 36
Studio: Barton, Torquay
WW Coach: Carol Fox
I’ve always struggled with my weight but things grew worse after the death of my mum in 2013. Suddenly life seemed to spiral out of control and I didn’t really care about my own wellbeing. I ate too much of everything – bread with loads of butter, sandwiches, crisps, pizza. Everyday tasks were becoming a struggle. I couldn’t go up the stairs without being out of breath; I found it hard tying up my shoelaces. I didn’t care about what I looked like and put on whatever clothes fit me at the time. I tied my hair back and didn’t bother with make-up. I hated socialising and tried to get out of all commitments like weddings and family parties – I wanted to stay inside the comfort of my own home. I had such low self-esteem that even while walking in town, I thought everyone was staring at me. I was becoming a reclusive and paranoid person. But I avoided doing something about my weight for as long as possible because it seemed too daunting.
By March 2015, I was sick of how I was feeling – lethargic, depressed and lacking in self-confidence. I was really starting to worry about my health.
Being told I was borderline diabetic was a ‘lightbulb’ moment for me. I was slowly killing myself with food and I knew I was the only one who could stop it.
I joined WW and I didn’t expect it to be so easy. The app and barcode scanner makes everything so much simpler and faster. There’s lots of support from other WW members through Connect, and 24-hour support if needed from a team of Online Coaches. WW Freestyle is very easy to get used to, and I would advise anyone who’s about to try it to have a look though the ZeroPoint foods list first and base your shopping on that. Once you have your favourites, you’re good to go.
I now incorporate so many ZeroPoint foods into my daily life. Having a desk job makes me more prone to snacking, but that’s why I love my 0% fat free Greek yogurt with some chopped banana stirred through. For me, it’s the perfect mid-morning snack. Of course I still need my daily chocolate fix, but now it’s easier to incorporate that into my day.
WW Freestyle has taught me to make smarter choices when it comes to eating out. I can have the odd treat in moderation and I just make sure I swap meals high in SmartPoints, for meals that include lots of ZeroPoint foods when I do feel like a dessert.
Losing weight has opened so many doors for me. I love it when I can dress up for special occasions, I have found my new love for cooking and I love experimenting in the kitchen, I feel so much more confident and happy within myself. I am a completely different person and I know my mum would be immensely proud of me and what I’ve accomplished.
My favourite things about WW Freestyle:
- I love the variety of ZeroPoint foods. There’s something for everyone.
- I’ve found my passion for cooking again; I now really enjoy experimenting with different recipes and being in my kitchen
- Rollovers give me flexibility for the weekend. I base my breakfasts, lunches and dinners around the ZeroPoint foods so I end the day with 2-4 SmartPoints to rollover into my weeklies. Then I can indulge at the weekend with a guilt-free dessert.
- I love the app. It’s so easy to work with and it remembers my favourite foods. Tracking takes next to no time.
I make sure I take time out for me: Going to the gym is my time. It’s the one hour during which I can forget about work or life’s stresses, and it’s when I concentrate on improving myself.
*Lobke has been following the plan since March 2015.