14 inches lost eating the Gi way

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Nearing 40 with a BMI of 27 and weighing 11 stone 5 lbs Jane was wearing black baggy clothes to cover up her figure and her self-confidence was at an all time low. Her family history of diabetes was a source of worry as she gained weight but when Jane saw her 2008 holiday photos she was shocked into taking action and joined up to our online dieting site. Just over 1 year later with our Gi plan she has reached a healthy BMI of 23 weighing in at 9 stone 4lbs.

Here is Jane’s story…

Has your family been supportive to you in your weight loss efforts?
My husband Gary, daughter (13) and my son (10) have all been very supportive, trying out new recipes and eager to know my results on weigh in day.

What Diet plan did you follow?
I have followed the GI plan from day one.

Have you previously tried any other diets and were they successful? I tried a well-known slimming club years ago to slim for my wedding and lost a stone but put all the weight back on plus another 2 stone!

How much weight and inches have you lost? When I joined I weighed 11 stone 5lbs having already lost ½ stone on my own and was wearing a size 16. I now weigh 9 stone 4lbs and wear a size 10/12. I have lost 3 ½ inches from my bust, 5 from my waist, 5 from my hips and even ½ a shoe size!

What part has exercise played in helping you to lose weight? To start with I just concentrated on the meal plans. Once I had lost about a stone I bought some home exercise equipment. Now I use weights, a mini trampoline and an exercise ball to tone up, all in the comfort of my lounge.

What difference has losing weight made to you? Both my self-confidence and energy levels have grown. I no longer feel ‘fat and forty’!

Have you enjoyed your diet plan? It has been brilliant, the meal plans are easy to follow and very family friendly. There is such a huge range of meals to choose from that a year on I am still finding recipes to try out. I recommend joining the support boards, there is always someone there to share your highs and lows with and even give you a gentle nudge in the right direction if you begin to waiver!

Tell us about your diet before you joined us, and how has your diet changed as a result? My diet before was pretty healthy, the same can’t be said for the size of my portions! I also used to snack on unhealthy sugar based foods. Since following the GI plan I have incorporated more wholegrain foods, fruit, vegetables and pulses into my diet. I no long suffer with highs and lows in my blood sugar and don’t feel the need to reach for the biscuits anymore!

How have your family and friends reacted to your weight loss? My husband loves the new slimmer version of me! At a recent family party I had so many compliments; it made me realize how far I’d come and how I must have looked before!

How do you feel about your weight loss? I feel proud at what I have achieved, even though sometimes I struggle to see the slimmer me in the mirror. I no longer dread shopping for clothes but look forward to it, knowing that clothes will not only fit but I will feel confident wearing them.

Do you feel confident about maintaining your weight loss? Yes, the meal plans have taught me how to eat healthily; eating the GI way will always be part of my life.

Finally, are there any tips you would like to share with fellow dieters out there?

•Always print off your meal plans; the weeks I didn’t I usually didn’t lose weight.

•Use the support boards, everyone is so friendly and the support invaluable.

•Weigh your food; it is so easy to overestimate portion sizes.

•Try out new recipes, it’s easy to stick to a few favourites, but there is so much choice. That way your plan never becomes dull and boring.

•Involve your family; mine all eat the GI way now! It is so much easier if you can cook just one meal that everyone eats.

•Measure yourself regularly; you will be surprised how your shape changes as you lose the weight.