With 3 children under the age of 6, Marina certainly has her work cut out for her. Having so little time to look after herself had a not-surprisingly detrimental effect on her health and wellbeing.
Today Marina is in great physical shape, but this time last year she was anything but fit and well. She was uncomfortably large, lacked energy and suffered from dwindling self-esteem, and she struggled with day- to-day living. The demands of a young family meant her needs were never being met. Real weight loss was but a dream.
“After I had the twins I really stacked on the weight, but I was so busy looking after them and my eldest child that I was unable to put any time into myself,” she says.
“I guess I had no idea what I was supposed to be eating, and I didn’t do any exercise either.”
Click to enlarge photos
Walking with the family
In the kitchen
Holding old pair of pants
Confident in swimwear
Glamorous Marina
The pivotal moment
Watching The Biggest Loser on TV one night, Marina was glued to an episode in which the contestants were weighed in their underwear in front of friends and family. Emotions were running high and many tears were being shed.
“I was sitting on the couch eating a chocolate ice cream and watching all this going on, so I decided to do the same and weigh myself,” she says. “It was a big shock. I made the decision right there and then to go online and sign up to The Biggest Loser Club. Once I started and got into it, I lost weight quickly and met others on the forum doing the same. It was really easy.”
Impressive results
In what seemed like no time at all, Marina had lost 10kg, and 6 months later she had shed an amazing 30kg. Not a bad effort from this time-poor, chronically tired mum.
“I found The Biggest Loser Club simple to use and l Iove that the membership is so inexpensive,” she says. “The fact that you can go online at any time to check calorie counts and monitor your progress is very motivating.”
Marina can now recognise the calorie content of many foods and says this knowledge has helped accelerate her weight loss results.
“I’ve done other diets but it’s never been this easy to count calories,” she says. “You can see your intake right there on the screen. Seeing the calorie graph and seeing the fat blobs coming off is exciting and keeps you going. I guess it’s about retraining the brain to know what you actually need to eat to be healthy and lose weight, rather than what you want to eat.”
A walk a day keeps the weight at bay
While not a great fan of exercise, Marina has found a simple 1-hour walk each morning was enough to help her lose the weight she wanted, and then to maintain that weight loss.
“Walking is my new healthy habit and I am enjoying it so much. In fact, I think I am addicted to it. It’s the only time I get to myself all day.”
Maria’s weight loss tips
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Make sure you are ready to do it
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Take up some form of exercise – even if it’s just a walk each day
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Use the forums for support
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Allow yourself the occasional treat by knowing your calorie intake
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Stick with it and the weight loss will come