My Weight Loss Journey

I have always struggled with my weight as an adult although when I look back now, I question my view on what a 'normal weight' actually was and realise that back when I was in my early 20's, I wasn't actually over weight at all! However I have always had an issue with binge eating that stems back to my childhood. Food was my comfort, its what I did when I was bored, sad, happy or genuinely just for habit. I would by bagfuls of chocolate and sweets to fulfil my sweet tooth and I spent many years yo yo dieting. I found that I noticed a lot of my weight gain during my pregnancies. Pregnancy became an excuse to 'eat for two' and to 'eat what I liked' because it was the only time I could do so 'guilt free'.

After having Ivy, I was at my biggest at nearly 17 stone. I found it easy to push my weight and unhappiness to the back of my mind and would always think 'I'd deal with it the next day'. It was actually lockdown that really gave me the first bit of motivation to make a change. I was classed as clinically extremely vulnerable and was told to shield, the biggest change this made was that I couldn't just 'pop' to the shop to buy junk food. Kevin was doing all the shopping and that was really helpful as I didn't and still don't have the willpower to enter a shop without lurking down the chocolate isle. I also had my oldest son doing online football classes and I began by joining in with him. Myself and the kids then started doing Joe Wicks online PE sessions. As soon as I started to see some changes in my body, I found it easier to keep going! Over that first two years I lost two and a half stone.

I then hit a lull, I knew I had managed to control the sweet cravings and I had definitely ramped up being active but the next thing to tackle was my portion sizes. I have always had a good appetite and could easily eat the same amount as Kev! I then had a friend tell me about Saxenda Weight Loss Injections. I was pretty dubious at first, Im not one for not taking anything that isn't 'by the book' and I also didn't want to participate in anything that could be a fad diet. But after doing my research, I decided that as long as I could manage the cost financially, then I was going to give them a go. I ordered the injections from Boots Online Doctor and weighted patiently to pick them up.

I started Saxenda back in October 2022, I had been worried about side effects but I only really struggled with a little bit of nausea and being particularly thirsty (which for me was a good thing as it hugely upped my water intake which is really important when taking Saxenda). I felt so much fuller all the time and my portion control basically halved and I was finally eating a normal meal size. I increased my activity levels even more - walking everywhere I could and also doing some home work outs. Over the last six months I have lost another two and a half stone! I am five stone down in total and I have dropped 3 dress sizes. I am so much more comfortable in my own skin and feel a huge amount better about myself.

I still have a way to go. I still realistically have at least another stone to lose to be in a healthy range. I am also suffering from some lose skin from the weight loss that will probably need surgery at some point. Plus my boobs are not in a happy place (empty sacks comes to mind!). But I really am in a happy and healthier place!