A Glasgow woman dropped a whopping 12 dress sizes after years of yo-yo diets and health problems.
Jennifer Patterson, 67, has seen her weight go up and down over the years, even though she has been a member of WW (formerly Weight Watchers) for over a decade.
She was only able to reach her ideal weight when she recovered from intestinal cancer and endured the horrific experience of the blockade, Covid-19, and the wedding.
Now Jennifer wants to share her story with others and remind everyone that it doesn’t matter how many times they try, it’s important to try it at all.
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Jennifer from Kilsyth Glasgow Live: “I was overweight for a longer time than I remember. I started dieting on Monday but gave up by Wednesday of the same week.
“My friend suggested joining WW (formerly Weight Watchers). At that time I was 14 stones. I attended a weekly workshop but it wasn’t easy. £ 1 or £ 2 Well, then we will reward ourselves with a do-it-yourself diet for what we have done, by completely undoing any success we had.
“Needless to say, I continued to gain weight and eventually stopped going to the workshop and told myself that the plan didn’t work. It was always a plan, not me.”
Jennifer said something had changed at first when she had to buy a costume for her family’s wedding, and she noticed that she had gained weight.
She states: “In the end, I had to choose a dress that suits me, not the style I really wanted. During the wedding, I felt uncomfortable that I didn’t want to be in the picture. Behind the group Hide as much as possible behind the group.
“I was scared to see that I was brave enough to weigh, swell to 16 stones, and now I’m wearing size 24 clothes. This is the last straw I decided I couldn’t wear anymore. It was time to do weight and something about it forever. “
Jennifer managed to lose four stones during this time, feeling good until “fate hit her,” diagnosed with intestinal cancer, and then spread to her lungs.
She kept in touch with WW coach Mandy McGuire, surgery and chemotherapy all year long and returned to the WW workshop when everything was clear.
A year later, she reached Gold Membership when she lost four stones. After the blockade in December 2021, she was able to leave the workshop and even maintain her target weight.
Jennifer said: “The most important thing that happened this time was that I believed in what I was looking back in the mirror and liked it. It’s always going on.”
Jennifer evaluates the app and online tracking of her activity, food, water intake, and vegetable intake for her weight loss.
On top of that, workshops, peer support, and nutritional understanding have made a big difference in lifestyle, not just dieting.
Jennifer told Glasgow Live: With biscuits and cakes.
“Supper is washed away with meat with chips and vegetables, followed by apple crumble and custard pudding, and a can of full-fat juice. Snacks are always crunchy, chocolate, and sweets. Even if you get gasoline, Buy two bottles of chocolate, one of which was finished before leaving the gasoline crumble, after which the supper can be two toasts with melted cheese. “
But now Jennifer’s diet is no more different.
“WW has taught me to eat more of the right kind of food.
“Breakfast is a slice of boiled egg and toast or WW apple and cinnamon porridge. Lunch is usually homemade soup followed by low-fat yogurt. Dinner is often the WW recipe of the app, and my favorite is turkey. Chili or sticky. Peanut chicken, fresh vegetables or salad, followed by fresh fruit and yogurt.
“Supper is now a slice of low-calorie bread, with a beef light cheese triangle laughing. Snacks are less frequent, but can be yogurt, fruit, WW crisps or bars, and drinks are brown sugar-free coffee, It’s a diluted juice with no added water or sugar. Occasionally carbonated beverages are always low-sugar or sugar-free varieties. “
And through all that, Jennifer says, “I’m in control of me now.”
She adds: She learned a lot about herself and realized that not only was she worth it, but she was entitled to whatever she wanted.
“I recognize and accept that I am the best and only person who knows my true feelings, desires, trials and challenges. When I am in a good place, everything is fine and I And can offer the best to both others.
“I’m now thinner, happier, healthier, and more extroverted, dress sizes from 24 to 12, and I enjoy shopping for clothes, and finally compliments on my appearance. I can accept the words.
“Now I swim three times a week and walk every day. My husband is a fast pedestrian, so I can catch up with him without complaining or out of breath. Distance and tilt don’t matter. “
And what’s her advice to someone trying to follow in her footsteps?
“When you think about the reason, spend as much time as you need.
“This was very important to me.
“Be very honest with yourself, review the” why “if you feel you need it, and remember it every day. Remember that failure is a detour, not a dead end. “
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