About two years back, I'd gained two stone, which had all piled up around my middle, resulting in that typical "barrel" tummy many women seem to get around the menopause. I've always had bigger boobs – 36DD – but now I couldn't even get into anything at the waist, as if my large stomach had expanded upwards to meet them.
I said I'd give up buying size 16, and once I'd seen the scales show 11 stone, I just stopped weighing myself.
He weighed 1lb less than Dave, who had lost several pounds.
During the time of Covid, I tried the Weight Watchers online, attracted by their slogan of losing weight "without giving up what you love". Unfortunately, I found myself enjoying far too many Maltesers and my weight remained largely unchanged.
I gave Noom a go, which encourages you with extra food for exercising. I attended the gym four times a week and employed a personal trainer, but it was apparent I was treating myself more generously than I was actually losing weight.
I was getting fed up, as whenever I lost a few pounds, they just seemed to creep back on, which was demotivating.
I thought I'd give it a go, as she looked absolutely brilliant and was so endearing.
I achieved that in January 2024, with the objective of shedding the pounds before my second son Will's wedding in September 2024, which took place. Not only did I surpass that target, I'm pleased to say that the eating plan has undergone a significant transformation, which has greatly impacted my overall lifestyle.
I followed the accounts of this lady on Instagram and liked the fact that it didn't require a monthly subscription or weigh-in shaming. I knew the first two weeks would be challenging, so I waited for my next two-week period with little socialising to start. I began on February 26 last year, with the goal of losing a stone by Will's wedding in Croatia.
I only eat things like vegetable stew, a spring vegetable broth, or a vegetable stir fry made without any sugar, fruit, or grains.
I was feeling a bit knackered and got a cracking headache, and I've been advised not to hit the gym when I'm feeling under the weather since I wouldn't have the energy for it. However, I wanted to get some fresh air, so I just managed some nice gentle walks with the dog. Shedding 12 pounds in just 16 days was a marvellous motivator for me to carry on.
Phase two, lasting for two weeks, "resets" your body. I ate three meals a day, taking a five-hour gap between each meal to stop overloading my digestive system. I stuck to a no-oil, no-sugar, no-grains and no-alcohol regime, which meant I had to decline cake and wine at a family birthday for the first time in my life. I also avoided dairy products and nightshade vegetables like aubergines, tomatoes and peppers, as they can cause inflammation in the digestive system. You start introducing these foods in phase three. So for those two weeks, I ate foods like boiled eggs with asparagus for breakfast, a salad of prawns and avocado for lunch, and grilled chicken breast with spinach, cabbage, courgette and fresh thyme for dinner.
Eating healthily normally involves consuming two squares of dark chocolate daily along with a weekly glass of wine, accompanied by a 'treat meal'. Breakfast options could comprise Spanish vegetable breakfast tortilla, garlic prawns 'courgetti', for lunch and steak with sweet potato fries for dinner. The book, penned by Petronella Ravenshear, is replete with simple recipes. We also exchanged online messages.
Although I had stopped the original stone I was aiming for after just the first month, Petronella urged me to continue, saying "just see what your body wants to lose" in the third phase.
By the end of May 2024, I was pleased to have reached 8st 13lb and had completed phase three. Phase four is the final stage, during which you have to steer clear of highly processed foods, refrain from snacking and only occasionally eat sugar. This regime is something you must stick to if you wish to sustain the results you've achieved.
To my astonishment, in phase four I simply continued losing weight so I began eating more to maintain my new healthy weight of 9.09 stone. I've never been this weight or a size 8 as an adult - not even on my wedding day 35 years ago. At Will's wedding, I felt really proud of myself in my loose-fitting Erdem dress. My family and a couple of close acquaintances have been extremely supportive throughout – thank you to them, they know who they are.
This diet has been extremely beneficial and is within reach for everyone. It has also profoundly changed my state of mind, so I no longer have the desire to overindulge in items like pizzas, lasagnes, or fish and chips. I feel lighter and healthier, and I have healthier skin and shinier locks. I now feel more like myself, sexier, and fuller of energy than ever before.
The menopause need not be a time of unavoidable weight gain. As reading about someone in this paper inspired me to turn my life around, I would love it if someone else, perhaps feeling "invisible" or "sexless" during menopause, might gain the same insights and make similar transformations as I have.
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"Eating breakfast really helps jump-start your metabolism, so don't skip it."
- It's advisable to have at least a five hour gap between consuming any type of food, including snacks, so that your body can digest more effectively and reduce inflammation.
- Switching from milky lattes to black coffee is a straightforward way to cut calories, and I have come to appreciate a lot more the taste of a better quality coffee as I can now actually taste it.
- "Treat" yourself to two or three special meals a week, indulging in any "naughty" foods you fancy. It kick-starts your metabolism, making it less likely you'll hit a plateau, and makes sticking to a healthy diet for the rest of the week - and in the long run - much easier, so you don't feel like you're missing out.
What I ate before
Breakfast
Homemade granola (with sugar, oats, honey, and maple syrup) served with Greek yoghurt and fresh berries, a cup of tea made with soya milk.
Lunch
Eggs poached on wholemeal toast with butter. Or just a latte made with oats.
Dinner
Shepherd's pie and veg from Hello Fresh or Gousto meal kits, usually during the week, then at weekends, we'd have lasagna, chips, and sticky toffee pudding.
Snacks
A bowl of oats with a ginger nut biscuit or a brownie in the morning, then tea with a chocolate brownie later, followed in the evening by some crisps with a drink.
Alcohol
A few glasses of wine with dinner at the weekend.
What I eat now
Breakfast
I'll have a 1.5 litres of water beforehand, then I'll eat eggs with cherry tomatoes, spring onion, mushrooms, and spinach, and have black coffee later.
Lunch
Smoked salmon salad and an apple, black coffee.
Dinner
Sea bass or halloumi with three types of vegetables - broccoli, carrots, and pak choi.
Snacks
You can have a couple of squares of 90 per cent dark chocolate as a treat, provided you only have them after a meal. However, by that point, you won't even think about them, as you've been able to modify your desire by then.
Alcohol
I've reduced my intake and normally drink sparkling water with a dash of ACV (apple cider vinegar) during the week. We've actually started calling it 'HBD champagne'. However, I do enjoy a glass of wine or Prosecco with my evening meal at weekends.
Petronella’s HBD Club is launching on 7th January, a new platform for HBD enthusiasts to meet, share ideas and resources.
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