Weight Loss Evolution – My Journey
As one of the first graduates of the Weight Loss Evolution programme I am very happy to offer some feedback on the experience and why it worked for me.
Why?
I came back from 2 years overseas and a busy job in the Middle East at the end of 2015 having gained 12kgs after foolishly abandoning my exercise routine and falling into bad, comfort eating (and drinking) habits. I started 2016 feeling fat, grumpy and pretty unhealthy. To my horror, when I rejoined the Hogarth my Tanita readings made grim viewing – my metabolic age had me 9 years over my actual age! The launch of the Weight Loss Evolution programme felt like a good way to kick start my journey back to a happier, healthier me.
The Exercise
I committed to working out 4 times a week – 3 times with a personal trainer and once on my own – and stuck to it. All of the trainers were great and so encouraging. By working out with different people there was plenty of variety and each brought their own personality and approach ensuring that I stayed focused on technique and gradually pushed myself harder as the programme continued. Sometimes it’s hard to tell that fitness levels are improving from one week to the next but for me a real highlight was when I managed a cross-fit style workout that Laura put together for me towards the end. I certainly couldn’t have done it at the start of the programme.
The Food
I opted to follow the Crucial Café detox plan from Monday – Friday. Ruth and the team were happy to accommodate my coconut allergy and some modest tweaks for when I was working out hard. The food was excellent and it helped so much not having to think about what was I going to eat whilst juggling work schedules etc. I am now addicted to Crucial Café granola and top up my supplies each weekend. I am sure it would have been possible to lose even more weight than I did but inevitably I had to handle some of the challenges of everyday life during the 6 weeks – birthdays, Mothers Day etc. What worked for me was a complete shift towards a more healthy, balanced and sustainable approach that I can stick to going forward…… and a welcome realisation that I actually don’t need, or crave, a couple of glasses of wine EVERY day.
The Support
Becky and Cat were my fabulous, expert support network throughout the programme. It really felt like a team effort. Our weekly catch-up sessions were informative and fun, providing an opportunity to properly reflect on what I was trying to achieve and the tools to get there. We stayed in touch during the week through WhatsApp which really helped with the normal (but thankfully rare) moments when my willpower felt a bit wobbly.
The Results
The before and after photos don’t tell the whole story – I have never been photogenic! What matters to me is that I am well and truly on track to get back to the size and fitness levels (= health) that feel right for me and reaching into the wardrobe is no longer such a depressing prospect. I still have a way to go on my journey but am now 7kgs lighter, my BMI and all the other stats have significantly improved and whilst I don’t know how scientific it is, the Tanita machine tells me that I now have a metabolic age of 38 - not bad for a 51 year old.
The programme definitely ticked all my boxes and was the boost I needed. I wish others embarking on the journey similar success. You’re worth it.
For further information on Weight Loss Evolution at The Hogarth Club CLICK HERE
