In September 2008 Geraldine Ellis-Maguire reached her healthy goal weight of 56kg, having shed a fantastic 23kg with The Biggest Loser Club. (Click here to read her original story).
Her journey began after undergoing a medical assessment as part of an adoption process, where Geraldine was horrified to learn that she was classified as obese. She joined The Biggest Loser Club the next morning and her get-healthy plans began.
One year on, Geraldine has maintained her weight loss. Here, she reveals her secrets to sticking to her healthy eating and exercise regime and, more importantly, what keeps her motivated.
Click to enlarge photos
Geraldine before
After losing 23kg
Family snap
Weight loss v. maintenance
While Geraldine was following The Biggest Loser Club program, she lived by three rules. “Planning, discipline and habit were paramount when I was losing the weight,” she reveals. “You have to put the hard yards in and be really disciplined with foods and exercise.”
However, now in maintenance mode, Geraldine says it is all about staying in control. “I learned so much from The Club’s online diary and it is this that has given me the ability to say ‘no’ and maintain my healthy weight. I am determined not to overeat and let my weight creep out of control again.”
One trick Geraldine swears by is eating from smaller bowls. “You can’t gauge how much you’re eating with the big, deep bowls so you lose control and that’s when it starts to go wrong!”
A long-term diet
Looking back at her weight-loss journey Geraldine says, “While I was losing the excess kilos I got into the habit of planning my day, and I still do even now. I have continued to take breakfast and lunch to work with me every day.”
Revealing her healthy diet, Geraldine says, “Breakfast is always porridge with a little yoghurt and an apple. My winter lunch is soup with a wholemeal roll and in summer I love to have a salad.” Despite following quite a regimented menu throughout the day, Geraldine’s evening meals are slightly more varied. “My husband, David, recently finished chef training so he cooks up tasty, healthy dishes such as stir-frys, casseroles, soups, fish and steaks.”
So what about the sacrifices? Geraldine says, “Gone are pre-dinner cheese platters and wine that used to be part of our daily ‘wind-down-after-work’ routine."
Despite this, Geraldine admits that you have to allow yourself the odd treat, but in moderation. “I will always watch what I eat, but that doesn’t mean I can’t have any food pleasures. My treat is a diet tonic with gin and the occasional slice of banana bread. I don’t eat chocolate every day like I used to, but I still have the odd piece.”
Keeping it moving
Having recently left Sydney for the countryside, getting to the gym became problematic for Geraldine; however, she didn’t use that as an excuse. Instead, she bought the gym to her home.
“We recently bought four pieces of gym equipment; a treadmill, an elliptical trainer, an exercise bike and a full weights system, plus we already have some gym balls. Our mini gym is kept in our shed and David and I jump in there for a workout.”
Although Geraldine no longer works out every day like she used to, she still exercises several times a week and continues to do the same workout she did while losing weight. This includes 15 minutes on the treadmill, 15 minutes of cross trainer, 15 minutes on the bike and a few light weights.
Staying motivated
Now 16 months old, Geraldine’s beautiful adopted daughter Jacklyn (the family calls her by her second name, Jemima), is what keeps her on track. “Before I joined The Club I was about to become a mum and I wanted to be a healthy role model for her. David and I are both older parents and we are determined to be around for her as long as possible.”
Geraldine continues, “As Jemima grows older, I want to do things together. If she wants to ride a horse, I want to do it with her. If she wants to play soccer, I want to play too. I need to have plenty of energy to do all these things, and that means staying in shape.”
Geraldine's after photo is courtesy of wowphotos.