About Me

Hi there!

I’m a 38-year-old mum of three, juggling life as a secondary school teacher three days a week. I’m often found spinning plates, both literally and metaphorically.

For most of my adult life, I've been on a quest to lose weight. I meticulously planned every Monday to start a new diet, only to find myself throwing in the towel by the weekend—over and over. Despite my best efforts, I steadily gained weight and reached 17 stone 13 pounds (251 lbs) in 2023. The ‘baby weight’ excuse doesn’t quite cut it, as I was 13 stone 10 pounds after my last baby!

I’ve spent so much time making sure everything was perfect for my kids and keeping busy at home that I’ve consistently put myself last. In 2014, at 28, I took a major leap and went to university. In just five years, I completed an undergraduate degree, a teaching degree, and a master’s degree—oh, and I had a baby in 2015. Looking back, I’m amazed I managed it all. But, I realise now that I neglected my own needs during that time. I should have made space to focus on myself.

I’ve tried everything to shed the pounds—shakes, pills, Slimming World, keto, intermittent fasting, injections, personal trainers, and countless gym memberships. While some of these methods offered temporary success, they never tackled the root of the problem. I’ve come to accept that the issue was, in part, me. Channelling my inner swiftie - It's me, hi, I’m the problem, it’s me!

When I hit 17 stone 13 pounds in December 2023, I was trying a popular prescribed weight loss injection. It left me feeling exhausted, and I realised I was just swapping one problem for another. I stopped the injections and had a serious talk with myself. I refused to let the scale hit 18 stone.

As the new year approached, I reflected on all the years of failed resolutions and disappointment. I didn’t want to repeat the cycle. I thought about the years of dieting and realised that even losing just 1 lb a week would have made a significant difference by now. With the looming threat of aging, health issues, and the threat of peri-menopause in the (hopefully distant) future, I knew I needed to take action now. I began to care more about being healthy than about how I looked, which feels like a step in the right direction.

I started by calorie counting and increasing my physical activity, primarily walking. I’ve lost 50 lbs without stepping foot in a gym yet—though I know I need to. I moved away from restrictive dieting and the ‘good’ versus ‘bad’ food mindset. The biggest shift for me has been accepting that I don’t need to be perfect; I just need to be better. I started applying the same principles I use to coach my exam classes - small, manageable chunks of progress, celebrating improvements, and not focusing solely on mistakes.

It's not always easy or perfect - life is tough, and it’s hard for a mum to find time for herself. But even small steps count, like rolling a snowball and watching it grow.

If you’re on a similar journey, remember: you can do it, and it gets easier. For the first 20 lbs, the change was subtle, but now that I’ve lost 50 lbs, the comments and new wardrobe are motivating me to keep going. I’ve learned that motivation doesn’t come first; action leads to results, which in turn fuels motivation.

I also moved away from slimming groups, which I found negative and draining. Instead, I started my own journal and Instagram account to track my progress and connect with others. The Instagram community has been a fantastic source of support and accountability, and I encourage you to document your journey as well.

It’s currently August 2024, and I’m halfway through my journey, with a goal of losing 100 lbs (though I’m open to adjusting it if needed). Sharing my story and helping others keeps me motivated. If you need support, start here! I’ll continue to share my progress on Instagram and would love to watch and share your journey too. Come say hello!

Jen xx