“I had never heard of LighterLife until a friend from the UK, who was grossly overweight and who walked with great difficulty, embarked on the programme. I met her at Christmas just before she started on LighterLife and did not see her again until late July. I just could not believe the transformation. She had lost eight stone, could now stand up straight, was going to the gym, and looked a million dollars. She was so proud of her achievement that it was infectious.
“Straight away I knew that if she could do this then so could I. I had been overweight for years and even though I never said so openly I hated how I looked and was worried from a health point of view that I was so obese. I dreaded looking at photographs, which were the proof that I was indeed ‘a big heap’(this is how I saw myself ).
“As great luck would have it LighterLife was now in Ireland, so I embarked on this life-changing experience. The counsellor was warm and welcoming from the onset and provided a route of positive support and partnership. I weighed in at 13st 10lbs and am now a very healthy 9st 4lbs. I used to really hate my bust size of 44DD which required a size 22 on top. I now take a size 12/14 on top and have gone from a size 16/18 trousers to a size 10. Can you even begin to imagine what this has done for my body image and self esteem? It has opened up a whole new world of shopping choices to be a ‘normal’ size again.
“I had tried other dieting programmes in the past. But for me LighterLife delivered on its promise. I stuck to the programme faithfully and so I knew that when I stood on the scales each week I was going to be down in weight. What a motivator! The group meetings were vitally important and to me this was a huge plus. Never before had I looked at how my unhealthy eating habits had developed and how necessary it was to understand and deal with the past in order to embrace the future with a positive attitude. I now have new phrases in my life such as positive strokes, crooked thinking, thought records, and for me the all-important ‘goal setting’. I found the ‘thought records’ very helpful once I got used to them. They are great for sorting out tricky situations and I continue to use them.
“The last year has been a life-changing experience. I have lost all the weight I needed to lose and am now holding my weight six months on. I no longer use medication for migraine and joint pains. These pains just disappeared once I was on the programme. I walk three miles every day and could do more. I can now walk up hills without having to stop to ‘admire the view’. I look and feel well.
“With the large variety of products on offer one is less likely to get bored with the food and give in to other temptations. The written material, which is so well structured to give vital support from week to week, contributes hugely to the success of the programme and is, in my opinion, streets ahead of the competition in this regard.
“I was thrilled to be invited to model for the photo shoot at Debenhams. Such an array of clothes to choose from and new shapes to try! Little did I know this time last year that I would now be able to wear a jacket from the Petite Collection! Well done LighterLife and well done me!”
For more information on LighterLife call Katrina Jones, Athlone and Portlaoise, at (086 ) 2191077 or (057 ) 8678895, or visit www.lighterlife.com/katrinajones .
