Victoria's story

How much weight have you lost and how long did it take?

I have lost 4st 5.4lbs 61.4lbs 27.8kg. I started my journey mid-January 2019 and I have lost most of the weight in 5 months.

What prompted your decision to lose weight?

I had a baby boy in December 2018 and during my pregnancy experienced a blood clot in my left leg which meant I could not be very active whilst pregnant. I put on considerable weight whilst pregnant and so when I had my baby, it was essential for me to get fit and healthy for my family. I wanted to provide my son with the best care and that involved me having a healthier and more active lifestyle.

How did you hear about Nutracheck?

I found Nutracheck a few years ago when I was searching through the app store for something to help track my food/calories and fitness. I saw the great reviews and so I used the trial period for a week and LOVED it!

Has your weight stayed fairly consistent over the years, or have you always had to manage it?

I have always had to manage it. I have been yo-yo dieting for about 15 years and have noticed the older I get, the harder it is to lose the weight. I tend to reach my goal, get extremely excited and then suddenly I let it slip. This time however my life has changed and I'm going to continue to use Nutracheck to maintain my weight.

How easy was it to fit the changes you made into your lifestyle?

I found this time a lot easier as I put less pressure on myself to lose the weight and instead I embraced this as a way of life. I created a more realistic and sustainable plan which I knew I could achieve and embraced a positive mindset. When having a young baby, I knew that going to the gym or creating extreme weight loss regimes would not work so instead I decided to do this gradually and for a long term result.

For exercise, I now do a lot of walking and that has been the easiest way for me to stay fit and active. It's not only good for me, but great for my son to go outside and get some fresh air and discover new things.

For food, I have ensured I have three full meals and snacks which works well. I have not removed my favourite thing (chocolate) from my plan but have been more careful such as having a smaller bar of chocolate or not eating it every day. I have been experimenting with different recipes for dinners and my husband and I are really enjoying it.

What was the most difficult thing?

The most difficult thing was shifting my mindset. At the beginning all I was thinking about was losing pounds and instead it took me a couple of months to see this as a lifestyle change. Whilst losing weight is important, there is more to this such as having a healthy mindset, becoming more active and discovering ways that I can make this sustainable for my me and my family.

How do you feel now compared to before?

Incredible - I feel the best I have ever felt. I have not only lost the weight, I have a healthy mind and healthy lifestyle for my family.

I also feel I can help and inspire others on their journeys. Everyone's journey is different however I know I have some guidance that I have learnt that can help and motivate people.

Any notable milestones to report?

When I lost my first stone it felt amazing. I noticed my clothes loosening and I felt in control of my health. I've not only lost the most amount of weight in my life, but I'm also the lowest in weight and feel great.

What 3 tips would you give to anyone who has weight to lose?

1. A healthy mind helps create a healthy lifestyle - consider walking or getting outdoors to clear the mind and stay balanced. This has helped me so much especially when there are moments where I felt I could not do this. The mind can help overcome hurdles and see challenges as opportunities of greatness
2. Keep your plan simple and sustainable - by incorporating simple exercises and realistic meal plans, enables you to have a long term lifestyle change. For me walking every day or every other day has been so important. Now even when it's raining, I go to the supermarket and walk around to get my steps in and to stay active.
3. Try experimenting with food - it is quite amazing how many recipes are out there. By experimenting and trying out new foods, can energise your cooking skills and can help keep you motivated on your journey.