Shan lost 10.3kg
A baby boomer born weighing less than 2 kg in the early 60’s, I soon delighted my much older siblings and parents by became a tall chubby baby and developed what can only be politely described as a well-covered toddler. I then sadly became a decidedly overweight teenager and young adult.
Facts and Figures
Weight then: 73.6kg
Goal Weight: 63kg
Weight lost: 10.3kg
Time taken: 3 months
Despite my ‘laat lammetjie’ status and indulged life, I developed many insecurities due to my weight and height. All I wanted was to be as small and petit like my friends. Even though I was very athletic; always in the first team of any sport that I played and the best swimmer in my age group, eventually becoming swimming captain, I refused to compete at a more professional level due to my size and aversion to swimming when in company. The only time I would swim was when I could quickly get into the water to hide myself. Instead of being the sports woman I was, I became a very shy bookworm, who if it involved exposing myself in company, was able to make some excuse as to why I was not taking part in the fun.
My brother always used to say that my swimming ability came from the fact that fat floats.
I unfortunately became a habitual dieter from about the age of 13; and followed every published fad- or crash-diet published in local and international magazines. Most resulted in the loss of a few kilograms but these, plus more, were inevitably regained due to their imbalance and unsustainability. I, however, developed a great interest in health and nutrition, which influenced my career choices after matriculation. Although I managed to be a slim bride in my mid 20’s, having followed yet another fad diet, I was 30 kg heavier two years later following the birth of my elder son. This weight I lost comfortably over a period of a year by becoming a Weigh-Less member and being encouraged by an amazing Group Leader. Being an emotional eater, and with the stress of a second son and busy working wife, mother, and constant student, my weight frequently yo-yoed over the next 15 years.
Unfortunately, as a lecturer and HOD at a university experiencing student unrest in the early 2000’s, both my stress and weight levels ballooned until my husband decided that the solution to both our work problems was to move to and work in Abu Dhabi, UAE until we retired. While living, and only working part-time in Abu Dhabi, I was able to get my weight down by essentially following the Weigh-Less formula and participating in many activities with my energetic expat friends. This continued for 7 years until we moved off Abu Dhabi Island to another island too far away from my
friends to continue taking regular part in the dragon boat racing and triathlons that I had been doing. A bad bicycle accident resulted in injuries that greatly restricted my activities, and I was not able to pursue the activities and lifestyle that had helped regulate my weight. Deciding to remain busy by returning to work on a more regular basis and also deciding to keep myself busy by pursuing further studies, I found myself sitting in front of a computer for too many hours a day with little activity - except for frequent visits to my well stocked fridge following frequent shopping expeditions to ‘get out’ had me returning home with far too many treats that I felt I deserved.
Frequent shopping expeditions to ‘get out’ had me returning home with far too many treats that I felt I deserved.
On returning to South Africa, I immediately returned to Weigh-Less and lost the 16 kg I had put on during our last three years in the Middle East. Covid lockdown unfortunately followed soon afterwards, and I was obliged to resign from a job that I had recently obtained that centred around international travel. The Covid restrictions
resulted in me becoming reclusive, inactive, depressed and overweight again.
In December last year I had to be hospitalised as my already compromised back had become weakened from inactivity, and with my excessive weight, my spine was simply no longer able to hold me up. A less-than-stellar set of results, following exhaustive medical tests that were requested by 3 different specialists, had me discharged with a set of sever instructions and medication to help prevent me becoming paralysed, diabetic or having a stroke as well as other heart conditions due to my elevated blood glucose and cholesterol levels. I also had fast progressing spondylosis and
osteoporosis. I was instructed to immediately consult with a dietician to lose weight and improve my nutritional status. Being 63 (now 64) and realising that with my heritage of
longevity, I chose to refuse medication as a first-line option to my problems. I knew that my poor health was mainly self-inflicted and largely treatable with a change in lifestyle and diet. I also realised that any chronic medication would come with negative side-effects of their own and be enormously costly over the next 40-or-so-years of my potential lifespan.
In addition to physiotherapy and personal training with a biokineticist, I began weekly sessions with a dietician. The formula I was given was, as expected, only slightly different from my previous Weigh-Less formulas.
Under all this monitoring and activity, I managed to lose 7 kg over the next two months. Whilst being motivated by my weekly sessions with the dietician, the consultations were costly and a little lonely. I was also dealing one-on-one with a healthcare professional who had never had a weight problem herself, and who did not seem to understand emotional eating and the strange relationship I had with food. After being given the go-ahead by my doctors, I re-joined Weigh-Less for the encouragement and support I knew I would need to lose the next 12kg that I had been instructed to lose to reduce the weight my fine-boned skeleton was carrying.
Returning to Weigh-Less
Returning to Weigh-Less was like coming home to old, like-minded friends, especially as my Group Leader, Roswyn, and her assistant, Bridget, were so supportive and encouraging to myself and every other member of the group. I adapted my Weigh-Less formula to suit my needs. I like the feeling of fullness that bigger meals provide, so I combined the snacks formula into my breakfast, lunch and dinner meals. I also took advantage of ‘double up’ foods to fill me up to avoid cravings and subsequent binges. By not constantly grazing, and by preparing at least one big crunchy colourful salad with lots of raw vegetables in the evening for the next day, I found that I was not tempted to cheat, lose control of my eating, or binge late into the night - as was my prior habit. The contributing factors to my yoyo weight was not only due over-eating, but also due to the combined factors of eating dinner late at night and making poor food choices. Bad habits resulted in poor gut health, bloating, constipation and generally feeling tired - a negative cycle of starving and binging that I was capable of ending. To improve my gut's health I included a combination of kefir, yoghurt, kimchi, sauerkraut, sourdough bread and apple cider vinegar (all gut health foods) in some form to every meal I ate. To ensure the best quality products, I began to make my own prebiotic foods with high quality ingredients, thereby avoiding any additives such as preservatives, thickeners and colourants that some commercially made products contain.
My husband never really said anything to me about my weight before, but for the first half of my journey to Goal Weight, he congratulated me on every kilogram lost. He sometimes got worried and told me that I didn’t need to lose any more weight, but eventually he realised that Weigh-Less is not a diet but a healthy lifestyle. With support from my family and Weigh-Less, I reached by goal weight in July.
Now more energised and motivated, I am happier and healthier than I have been for many years.
A journey that started with me being informed that there was a good probability of me becoming an informed octogenarian if I didn’t lose weight and change my lifestyle; but this has become a voyage of discovery and wonderment. Although I knew the facts I was not able to live them. Having taken control of my body and health and applied all I have learnt, I am now more energised and motivated, and am happier and healthier than I have been for many years. In addition to being told by all the addending specialist to change my diet and lose weight, I was also instructed to get moving to strengthen my muscular and skeletal systems as I was unable to walk without a brace and support.
I complied by jogging in the pool. I was lucky that my injury occurred during summer. This has progressed to me being brace and support free and able to take my Rottweilwer, Maudicai, to agility classes where she is one of three large Hooper Agility dogs with the highest certification in SA. Our twice daily long walks around my suburb or along the Umhlanga or Durban prominades have become the best part of my day; and have progressed to me being able to jog, and I have since taken part in charity races such as the 10 km Spar
and Total Sports Women’s Races, completing them in just over an hour. I have also embarked on long overdue renovations to my house, and after not working since Covid, I now
work online from home. I am hoping to take part in the Midmar Mile as it is something that I once did regularly, but have not done for more than 20 years.
I feel more active, energetic, and positive than I have ever been in my life.
Towards the later part of my weight loss journey when I achieved goal weight, I felt more active, energetic, and positive than I have ever been in my life. For the first time ever, I have been able to establish and maintain a healthy relationship with food and easily remain at goal weight.
I no longer view food as my best friend and worst enemy. Food now fills me when I am hungry and nourishes my busy and active body. As I now enjoy eating tasty and nutritious foods, I consciously select foods that contain probiotics, prebiotics, high-quality proteins and good fats that keep me satisfied until my next meal. Most importantly, I now eat guilt-free; a very different emotion from years of feeling that I had somehow done something wrong and needed some punishment for merely eating. A reaction that usually resulted in me sabotaging the diet I was trying to follow, binging, and having to live with three sets of clothing to accommodate whatever my then current weight was.
I am confident that I will maintain my weight loss because I no longer have that empty pit in my stomach that previously never seemed to be filled.
By continuing to incorporate the appropriate food choices and serving sizes so clearly layed out by Weigh-Less in the Best, Better, Good, Additions and Luxuries Food Choice books I am able to happily eat until I am full and not crave unnecessary sugary foods. I also read avidly and try to incorporate any positive changes to my lifestyle that are recommended by reputable publications such as Weigh-Less online books. I also find it very motivating to attend group meetings on a monthly basis as Roswyn, Bridget and other members are always so complimentary and encouraging. With my improved physical and mental health, I cannot imagine any good reason for wanting to slide back into obesity and misery.