Anabel's story
Name: Anabel
Weight loss: 7st
Start weight: 16st 13lb
Goal weight: 9st 13lb
Current weight: 9st 13lb
Age: 29
Height: 5ft 3in
Time taken to goal: 3 years 8 months
"Fitting in to my size-14 gown on my wedding day was the best feeling ever."
Look after your emotional health In February 2009, I got engaged to my now husband Andy, and there was no way I was going to be a size-22 bride in my dress. I joined Weight Watchers the following week and was mortified that I was almost 17st. My wedding was a real motivation, but as the pounds fell off I learned more than how to cook meals from scratch – I realised I needed to put myself first and look after my emotional health too. Rather than comfort eating, mindlessly reaching for chocolate to make myself feel better, I learned to take a few minutes out to relax and enjoy being in the moment instead.
Always turn up to meetings When I first reached goal, I skipped a few meetings and put back on a stone. So now I always attend – I’ve discovered 80 per cent of success is simply about turning up. If you’ve had a bad week, it’s natural to want to try to get back onto the plan yourself, but meetings help you refocus your mind and start afresh.
Staying positive can take you far For me, staying positive is the most important factor on any weight loss journey. I always repeat the mantra, ‘Your head has to be in the right place first’. I have two adorable pugs, Alfie and Ming, and taking them out for walks is my ‘me time’. Even if it’s for 10 or 15 minutes a day, getting out in the fresh air gives me a chance to wind down from the day and gives me a bit of headspace. It’s so important to look after your mind as well as your body on your weight-loss journey.
My yes moment Before my wedding I set myself a goal to lose 100lbs and nothing was going to stop me. Fitting in to my size-14 gown on my wedding day was the best feeling ever. I felt absolutely beautiful and, as I walked down the aisle, I realised how far I’d come.