“So far I have lost a stone in conjunction with my See Yourself Slimmer photo and Weight Loss Resources”
Five Ways to Start Losing Weight TODAY!
Don’t Wait
Don’t delay. Don’t wait until Monday. Stop searching for the perfect diet. Forget expensive fad diets that don't work. Follow these simple and effective steps and you'll get started losing weight today, and keep it off tomorrow.
Ask Yourself The Question 'why?'
Every time you start to eat or drink, ask yourself one word: Why? Why am I eating this? Am I hungry, tired, bored, stressed, lonely? The correct answer is simple: hunger. If you're not hungry, don't eat. Work out what you need to do to satisfy that emotion: Take a nap, read a book, call a friend - just don't eat if you're not hungry.
Eat to lose
If you skip meals you won't lose weight. Why? Because you'll get so hungry that you snack, or eat more than you want to, or end up feeling miserable and give-up straight away. Everybody needs to eat and deserves to eat three meals per day. Forget those skimpy little diet meals, they just leave you feeling hungry and unsatisfied. A meal should include whole grains, fruit and vegetables, protein and even a small amount of fat.
Remember your favourite things
Have you ever tried to completely avoid your favourite food only to end up completely losing control and devouring way more of that food than you should? Stuck on chocolate? Eat one delicious, exquisite piece of high-quality chocolate every evening. Savour that chocolate. Sit down, relax, and do nothing but enjoy the flavour, texture and experience of eating the chocolate. Eat slowly, enjoying every bite. And whatever you do, don't feel guilty. A small portion of your favourite food will keep you satisfied and happy - and losing weight.
Carry a notebook and a pen
Make sure you write down every single thing that you eat in your notebook, preferably as soon as you eat it. If you finish your children’s leftover cereal at breakfast, write it down. Had some chocolate at the office? Write it down. Just a `taste' of the meal you're making for dinner? You've got it: Write it down. Writing down what we eat and drink forces us to be aware of what we're putting in our mouths. It also gives us an easy way to track our intake and decide what changes we want to make.
“I am finally having success in looking like the slimmer me, the
photos have kept me going”
Fiona’s Blog You can read here about Fiona’s weight loss and how as a result of her making her own “slimmer” photo she managed to lose over three stone and then decided to start her own business helping others to stay motivated to lose weight.
View Fiona's Blog
Fiona’s History
I had always been a fairly normal size as a teenager (bit of puppy fat but nothing major) but in my twenties the weight really started to pile on. (9st up to just over 12st) I was incredibly unhappy during this time having moved to London and not really knowing anyone and comfort ate alot. I was always on diets but none really ever worked. I met my (now) husband in my late twenties and although I dieted for my wedding (got down to 10 1/2 st) in 2000 I started piling on the pounds again after the wedding.
By 2002 I was at my heaviest (over 12st) and particularly unhappy about my weight. I was playing around on some photo software one day and managed to make a photo of me look slimmer (rather homemade), without really thinking about it I started yet another diet. Only this time it was different, it helped me so much to be able to see what I could look like. I also got a dog around this time which really helped me get out there and do some exercise day in day out. The weight slowly came off over a period of a year and a half, it dawned on me just how much the slimmer photo had helped and I mentioned it to a few friends who also thought it was a great idea.
This was when I decided to try and see whether I could find a more professional way of altering photos and perhaps make a business out of doing it. After months of research and planning I finally launched the See Yourself Slimmer in May 2005 and it has gone from strength to strength ever since and also just as importantly I have remained at my ideal weight of 9st!
“A fantastic service and genius idea. It's already proving the
incentive
I've needed for a while”
Fiona’s Measurements
Height 5’3”
Weight Before 12st 2lb
Weight Now 9st
Size Before 16
Size Now 10
Fiona’s Photos
Fiona’s Diet Changes
I replaced high calorie breakfasts of white toast, butter, jam etc, with a bowl of high fibre cereal like All Bran mixed with Fruit & Fibre.
Lunch became a home prepared salad or sandwich (granary/brown) rather than shop bought calorie laden sandwiches – and usually, as they were in the shop, a bag of crisps too!
I replaced chocolate and snacks with healthier alternatives like nuts and raisins, oatcakes and lots of fresh fruit and raw vegetables.
For my supper I usually tried to have either protein and veg or carbohydrate and veg, I didn’t really mix the two. I think the increased volume in veg to make up for the missing component really helped.
Dried fruit really satisfied my sweet tooth and although dates etc, may have lots of calories in them, they are still a lot better than having a bar of chocolate.
I stopped drinking wine every evening, instead I tended to only drink at the weekends and then had a spritzer as they last longer and are less calorific than red wine.
I also tried to enjoy the feeling of being hungry, I know it sounds a bit odd but it did help me. I would wait until I actually felt that hungry feeling before eating, even if it was only a piece of fruit.
“I wanted to try something to motivate me and so far it has”
Just a few things we’ve picked up on that you might be interested in.
Firstly, don’t rely on the “I’ve got a slow metabolism” excuse, research has proven that only 1% of obesity cases are due to genetics – the other 99% are down to lifestyle, sorry!
So now we haven’t got the excuse anymore here are some ways to boost up your metabolic rate;
Divide your calorie intake into smaller more regular intervals, 5 meals a day rather than 3.
Exercise regularly and vary the intensity.
Combine weights and cardio for excellent results. Muscle actually burns more calories than fat, you don’t have to look like a bodybuilder, just have a well toned body.
Always try to have a small portion of protein with each meal.
Add spices to your meals, the hotter the better! (Turmeric, chillies, cumin, anything you like)
Get an accurate idea of how many calories you need each day.
Missing meals will not make you slim, it will only reduce your metabolic rate and make long term weight loss harder.
Here are a few tips to take into account when exercising outside, it is particularly important during the Winter months when it gets dark so early but it is still worthwhile making a mental note for the whole year.
Get a training partner when you train outside, firstly for extra safety but also for someone to help if you injure yourself.
If you are training alone go to parks that are well lit and where there are lots of people around.
Always tell someone where you are going and roughly how long you are going to be.
Carry your mobile phone and some money with you.
There are plenty of very usable personal alarms out there, use one – I’ve got one that straps around my arm with a huge button to press in case of emergency.
If you are going out for a long hard training session, take some form of glucose, sugar or jelly sweets. You may find you are out longer than you anticipated and will need energy boost.
Be vigilant, avoid strangers or remote areas. Cross the road or leave the area if you feel in the slightest bit uncomfortable.
If you must use an Ipod make sure you’ve only got one ear in or you really will have no idea what’s going on around you, I know it’s tempting but you really do need to know what’s happening around.
Wear waterproof clothing if there’s a chance of rain.
Wear reflective clothing, you don’t have to go the whole hog and kit yourself out in head to toe high visibility gear but be aware that others need to see you coming particularly if you are out at night.
We all love our takeaways, we wouldn’t be human if we didn’t but here are some tips on how to not undo all our good work and still enjoy our meals.
Limit your takeaways to special occasions; it’s just too easy to fall into the every Friday night routine.
In general, Chinese tends to be healthier than Indian as there are more vegetable dishes to choose from and they have a lower fat content. Try to stay away from the fried dishes and yes, I’m afraid that does include the crispy duck!
Limit portion sizes; try just having a main course without the side dishes. How about a couple of vegetable dishes instead?
You could always cook some rice/noodles at home so you can have wholegrain instead of white or fried rice.
Try to steer clear of the dishes that are smothered in sauce, these are incredibly high in calories and there are lots of alternatives – swap that Chicken Korma for a Chicken Tikka instead.
“I was very happy to phone up and get someone on the phone, Fiona was very helpful and cared a lot about the photo”
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