Dear Anonymous

Thank you for the compliment, though I must share with you that, this look does not come naturally and does require commitment and continuous work 😊

Like yourself, I enjoy eating out at good restaurants and will partake in the recommended wine to accompany my meals.  However, unless it is for a special occasion, dining out will be limited to either Friday night or Saturdays when I will justifiably enjoy what I consume.

Sundays I love, because I genuinely look forward to a great brunch which is full of healthy and filling ingredients. Granola bowls are my favourite. You can fill a bowl  with as much of your favourite  fruit as you wish, sprinkle crunchy non-added sugar granola over the fruit, then add 0% fat Greek Yoghurt, a sprinkling of pumpkin seeds and almonds, then sit back and enjoy with some freshly ground coffee, fresh juice or water. As with everything, the key thing to keep an eye on is portion size. Many nutritionists will warn you away from sugary foods such as granola, but in my opinion (which is not professional, merely what I’ve learned through lived experiences) it’s all about balance. I know I’ll be wanting some granola, so I make a wise choice as to which one I buy then sprinkle over a sensible amount. If you’re ever unsure as to what is deemed an appropriate portion, check the packaging – the great majority will provide guidelines.

To complete my brunch, I have smoked salmon and poached egg on a bed of wild rocket, on a slice of sourdough, with squeezed lemon and crushed peppercorn. That brunch is balanced and healthy and gets my mind back on track for a healthy week ahead. I will also plan my meals for the week, using the quick and easy recipes that I have collated from various Instagram posts. There are many accounts on Instagram who share their exciting and new healthy meal ideas. A lot of these accounts have achieved their own battles with weight loss: for example @Aliceliving shares her story and recommends amazing meal tips.

My husband enjoys chocolate and all the things that upset his sensitive stomach. He is at his happiest when I serve him the wide variety of healthy options that I’ve come across on certain Instagram accounts. Use your insta to have a search around for healthy recipes and helpful accounts to follow. Exercise caution and use your common sense when analyzing whether the account is one which will be helpful to you, as you don’t want to embark on a dangerous regime formulated by someone who isn’t a specialist. If they’re demonstrating that balanced meals can be eaten in conjunction with a healthy lifestyle, with plenty of natural ingredients and vegetables to bulk out the meals, then it’ll be worth giving them a follow.

You do not have to go to the gym to keep toned and fit as there are plenty of other options available.  I have not stepped inside a gym for three years.  I love walking and am blessed to live in an area that has wonderful coastal paths and mountain walks.  If I am walking on my own, I will plug in my favourite podcasts or music and ‘get in the zone’ as Melanie would say.  Every time I go on a walk, even if I take the same route, I have a new experience.

I have a TRX band, Teknifit resistant bands and some small weights which I use when following a downloaded toning programme which I found on a reputable source on the internet. The previously mentioned @aliceliving inspires me to stay toned with easy to follow but effective exercises. I’d recommend checking out the videos she posts on Insta as the exercises she demonstrates are guided, varied and can be done at a time that suits you. Also, yoga is a highly recommended form of exercise which is amazing for reducing stress, try it!

Weight loss is not a quick fix, but can be done in a varied and engaging way that will lead to life changing results, not just physically but mentally.  Set yourself realistic personal goals that will keep you motivated and will allow you to recognise the progress you’ve made. I can’t believe I’m saying this already but the festive season is looming… is there a coveted dress you would love to feel comfortable in? Is there an event that you wish to attend and feel different at?

Well done for recognising that you are eating to compensate for your emotions. It’s something that many of us partake in and will not address, but you want to address this so start by kickstarting a healthier mentality. You will soon start to feel better in yourself, feel those pounds drop off, have the confidence to tackle those stressful moments and be back in the gym before you know it😊

I hope this helps. Good luck and please let me know how you get on!

Donna x