When I was presented with the task of writing something on diets, I was daunted by the prospect, as many of my friends and family know I am ALWAYS ON A DIET!
My dieting days commenced about 10 years ago when I entered my 30’s and had my 3 wonderful children. I had my first son when I was 31, and after coming home and sticking to the exercises given to me by the midwife was back in my jeans in about 3 weeks. Also decided to breast feed my son and was loving the fact could eat a lot more and feed and this also helped my stomach to reduce in size. Was a win, win situation. Then it all changed. Yes the birth of my next two little miracles changed my body size and I found it very difficult getting back to my old weight. Everyone would say your body changes after birth and just make the most of the change and get used to it. Even my husband used to say to me you do not look bad considering you have had 3 children (which I always felt was not really a compliment). So here is my tale.
Over the past 10 years I must admit I have tried anything and everything (well apart from diet tablets as refuse to take tablets as part of a diet as does not seem natural). I went on weight watchers which I must admit was a success, but then as work and family life became busier ended up not attending meetings and back into my old ways. I tried jogging as they say exercise is the answer to keeping weight down, this was not something I enjoyed and did find it was hard on my knees. Then I turned to swimming as everyone states swimming exercises every muscle in your body. Well during the summer it was easy and would swim so many lengths each time visited the pool and would feel refreshed, fitter and certainly was toning my body and helping me to keep trim. Then the winter months arrived and I must admit could not motivate myself to go swimming a few times a week. What next you ask – I got hooked on the mail order programmes and ended up purchasing 2 ABS exercise products, what a waste of time they were, even my husband laughed as told me I had been sucked in yet again. Then I had a brilliant idea and decided to purchase one of these exercise balls with dvd, this was great and could really feel it working and toning up my body. I would carry out my routine every saturday morning and was really feeling good. Would always do this while everyone was asleep and out would come my ball and dvd in the player and off I went. Then they started getting up earlier and watching my routine in fits of laughter. So you have guessed it the programme stopped and now our cat has got to the ball and it is lying in our spare room totally deflated. Now you ask was I also being careful about food intake. Sure was and was cooking fresh meals every night, stopped buying biscuits, cakes, sweets and crisps and was eating freshly prepared meals, had lots of fruit available and cut out breakfast and would only have a very small lunch. Still my weight was creeping up some months, or I was only loosing a pound and would all go back on the next week. I got to the stage when I thought I am worrying about everything I was eating and also trying to frantically think of new exercises to do to keep me trim. Always on a diet as everyone would say. One day I remembered what my old granny used to say just eat everything in moderation and enjoy life. Started me thinking. Did I look that bad, was I that fat, was I that out of shape. Not really. I looked at myself and yes my shape had changed after having my 3 children, but I was a slightly fuller figure and in proportion. One day it just hit me make the most of your body, dress to suit your shape and you will be amazed how much confidence it gives you and how great you feel. So wardrobe changed and I am a different woman. I also stopped drinking wine (well a few glasses at weekends). I am a keen cook and would love to have a glass of wine while cooking and one with a meal. I was amazed at how much weight I lost just cutting out the wine every night. Never realised this could add on the pounds so much. I also found a great drink pomegranate juice. My husband went out one night with mates from work and was driving so could not drink and came home raving about about pomegranate juice. It is a lovely refreshing drink and in tesco’s you can get their own 4 for £3.00 at the moment. It also helps to cleanse your body and a lovely drink with your evening meal. So the long and the short of this tale is I accepted who I am, made the most of my figure, carried on enjoying good food (in moderation) ensured I had a breakfast every morning, became a fan of pomegranate juice (or cranberry, raspberry juice just as good) and now I feel good, look trim and feel confident and fit. Also walk the dog every day, and just generally go about my day as normal, but when you feel confident, wear clothes that suit your figure and accept who you are you will be amazed at the difference it makes. Of course I try new exercise routines every so often, but I can now say diets and exercise do not rule my life. Life is good especially in my 40’s!
Lizzy Pride