By Dawn Booth
The impact the past year has had on our health, our happiness and our weight has been phenomenal. Trying to keep everything going when all around you is changing has been quite a challenge. But one person who has played it to her advantage is Taunton mum Gemma Oaten. Here’s her success story:
Listen to our EXCLUSIVE interview with Slimming World’s, Dawn Booth at the bottom of this page!
Gemma welcomed her gorgeous baby boy into the world in July 2019. It was then that she knew she wanted to lose the extra weight but it took 6 months before she took the first step.
I’d been carrying a lot of extra weight for a few years before the pregnancy, but had never really done anything about it. We got engaged in August 2019 and booked the wedding almost right away, it was just another reason to add to the list of why I needed to shift the weight.
As soon as my Son turned 6 months old, I knew I was ready. On January 6th 2020, I started my Slimming World journey, and since then I’ve not looked back.
With Slimming World, I love that foods aren’t limited, you really can eat whatever you like, I just need to be organised and planned. But isn’t that something every mum has to be. It’s made even easier because my partner enjoys exactly the same foods as me and we both enjoy trying new recipes, we aim to introduce at least one new recipe a week into our meal plans, so we don’t get bored with making the same foods. Some of our favorites include bacon crumble, mac n cheese, Chinese takeaways, pizza omelettes/wraps and of course, roast dinners!
There have been challenges along the way, the biggest one being the evening snacks! I knew I’d never be able to not have a snack/pudding of an evening, so I’ve learned new healthier recipes/ easy snacks to buy or make in order to stop myself from reaching for something naughty!
I regularly make slow cooker rice pudding, it’s free to eat and only uses 2 ingredients! It also doubles as the perfect breakfast the next morning. The other thing that has helped is the support of the group. We have been in our groups and virtual and the support is as strong wherever we meet. You never feel like you are on your own.
I’m so much more energetic since starting Slimming World, I find myself being able to do a lot more, without being so tired, and more importantly… so sweaty! It’s something I used to really struggle with and it’s amazing to know I know longer have to be self conscious about breaking a sweat walking through town!
One year on and Gemma is 4 stone lighter, living life to the full and feeling fabulous.
Losing weight isn’t just about dropping pounds, it’s about lifestyle changes that improve your mindset and improves your self esteem. Taking the first step is the hardest, but like Gemma, when you do you will never look back.
Listen to our EXCLUSIVE interview with the area manager, Dawn Booth below:
If you would like to follow in Gemma’s footsteps, visit the Slimming World Taunton website for more details.
